Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, the Cabinet Member was asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests he may have in the business on the agenda.

The Cabinet Member declared a personal interest as an honorary member of the Cycle Touring Club and

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January 2013.

RESOLVED:                That the minutes of the decision session held on 15^th January 2013 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record subject to an amendment to resolution (iv) on the provision of subsidised bus services item to read:

                                      The Cabinet Member also asked that a plan B be considered to solve the issues surrounding the route 15 should tenders exceed the Council funding allocation for the simple service continuation.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

There were two registered speakers in respect of agenda item 6 ‘Considerations of Recommendations of E Planning Consultation Facilities Scrutiny Review Task Group.

Peter Vaughan had registered to speak as a Parish Councillor for Wigginton. He welcomed the recommendations particularly those relating to training and assistance for Parish Councils. He agreed that Planning Panels should operate in a similar way to Council Planning Committees. He reiterated the problems experienced in the past and agreed that an approved e planning system, constitution and framework to develop a fair process was necessary.

Councillor Cuthbertson had registered to speak on behalf of Councillor Runciman who was the Chair of the E Planning Task Group. He had been asked to state that Parish Councils are keen to see a decision making system in place. He advised that Parish Councils welcomed access to training and a room to use at West Offices if possible.

This report presents a revised strategic cycle route network for approval by the Cabinet Member to take to the Local Plan Working Group.  The network would then replace the one adopted in the  previous Local Plan.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member

(i)           Approved Option B and approved the revised strategic cycling network map in order that it can be taken to the Local Plan Working Group for potential inclusion in the emerging Local Plan. The network would then replace the previous version adopted several years ago.

(ii)          Approved the cycling scheme prioritisation methodology and prioritised list of schemes and use them as the evidence base for both development management and transport capital programme investment.

(iii)        Approved an additional list of schemes following comments received during the consultation period. The list will be attached to the minutes of this decision session for information.

REASON:         (i)         To help achieve an effective future cycling network to ensure future developments take it into account and contribute towards it.

                          (ii)        To influence future development in the city and to shape future Transport Capital Programmes.

                          (iii)        In response to issues raised during the consultation period.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which presented a revised strategic cycle route network for approval to take to the Local Plan Working Group. The network would then replace the one adopted in the previous Local Plan.

The Cabinet Member advised that following consideration of the consultation responses, he had identified 22 additional schemes.

He asked that his thanks be recorded to everyone who made comments during the consultation period.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member

(i)           Approved Option B and approved the revised strategic cycling network map in order that it can be taken to the Local Plan Working Group for potential inclusion in the emerging Local Plan. The network would then replace the previous version adopted several years ago.

(ii)          Approved the cycling scheme prioritisation methodology and prioritised list of schemes and use them as the evidence base for both development management and transport capital programme investment.

(iii)        Approved an additional list of schemes following comments received during the consultation period. The list will be attached to the minutes of this decision session for information.

REASON:             (i)     To help achieve an effective future   cycling network to ensure future developments take it into account and contribute towards it.

(ii)     To influence future development in the  city and to shape future Transport Capital Programmes.

(iii)        In response to issues raised during the  consultation period.

The purpose of the report is to provide a comprehensive update on progress against the Sustainable City actions set out across the Council Plan ‘Protect the Environment Theme’, The WoW City Plan and the Climate Change Framework and Action Plan.

RESOLVED:        (i)     That the Cabinet Member noted the significant progress made towards the headline objective of being a leading sustainable city where activity is being led by City of York Council.

                              (ii)    That the Cabinet Member asked for a report to be brought to a future decision session detailing plans for the next 5 years for the Councils Internal Carbon Management Plan.

REASON:                     To keep the Cabinet Member informed on on progress against the Sustainable City actions set out across the Council Plan.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which provided an update on progress made against the Sustainable City actions set out across the Council Plan ‘Protect the Environment’ theme, The WoW City Plan and the Climate Change Framework and Action Plan.

Officers outlined the report and highlighted the large amount of work undertaken city-wide on climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The Cabinet Member queried the Councils Internal Carbon Management Plan. In response, Officers confirmed that it would be possible to draw up a 5 to 7 year action plan and for a report to be brought detailing the programme of work for the next period.

RESOLVED:        (i)     That the Cabinet Member noted the significant progress made towards the headline objective of being a leading sustainable city where activity is being led by City of York Council.

                              (ii)    That the Cabinet Member asked for a report to be brought to a future decision session detailing plans for the next 5 years for the Councils Internal Carbon Management Plan.

REASON:                     To keep the Cabinet Member informed on progress against the Sustainable City actions set out across the Council Plan.

This report examines in more detail the recommendations as set out at paragraphs 5 and 6 of the cover report (Annex A) from the E-Planning Facilities Review conducted by the Task Group of the Economic and City Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member:

(i)           Approved the proposed recommendations 1 to 11 arising from the scrutiny review and the methods of implementation as detailed in the report.

(ii)          That the Cabinet Member did not agree recommendation 12 and offered an alternative to state that the terms of reference for planning panels be amended to reflect that they should have the same level of declarations of interests as Council committees.

REASON:                     To complete the Scrutiny Review and address issues raised.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which set out the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Review into E-Planning Facilities.

The Cabinet Member commented that he agreed the Scrutiny Review recommendations 1 to 11.

In relation to recommendation 12 he asked that the Terms of Reference for Planning Panels as produced by the Communities and Neighbourhoods Directorate, be amended to  address issues raised during the Scrutiny Review around transparency and accountability. In particular he asked that Planning Panel members should have to declare interests at the same level as a council committee.

The Officers Update is attached online to these minutes for information.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member:

(i)           Approved the proposed recommendations 1 to 11 arising from the scrutiny review and the methods of implementation as detailed in the report.

(ii)          That the Cabinet Member did not agree recommendation 12 and asked that the planning panel terms of reference be amended (further details in the update attached to the minutes).

REASON:                     To complete the Scrutiny Review and address issues raised.