Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is 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.

The Executive Member confirmed that she had no personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, nor any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests, to declare in respect of the business on the agenda.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2017.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 16 November 2017 be approved and signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Wednesday, 14 March 2018.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast ,or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809

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

This report seeks approval for a one-year funding agreement, to March 2019, with Citizens Advice York (CAY, formerly CAB) and a four-year agreement, to March 2022, with the Welfare Benefits Unit (WBU).

Resolved:  That, subject to the reporting and performance conditions set down in the respective service level agreements (SLAs), the following be approved:

(i)      the two levels of funding set out in paragraphs 3 and 7 of the report and the associated SLAs set out in Annexes A and B;

(ii)      a one-year holding agreement with CAY;

                   (ii)      a four-year agreement with WBU.

Reason:     To demonstrate the delivery of expected outputs and accountability for public expenditure.

The Executive Member considered a report which sought approval for a one-year funding agreement with Citizens Advice York (CAY, formerly CAB) and a four-year agreement with the Welfare Benefits Unit (WBU). These were included in the draft service level agreements (SLAs) annexed to the report.

The SLA with CAY(Annex A) included funding of £128k for one year, an increase of £5.5k in the current 2015-18 level. This would address cost increases and allow CAY to reach more service users in a more cost effective way.  During this ‘holding’ period, CAY would undertake a comprehensive review of its funding arrangements.  The SLA with WBU (Annex B) made no changes to the current level of funding (£22,700 per year) but increased the period it would cover from 3 to 4 four years, bringing it in line with North Yorkshire County Council’s decision in 2016/17 to review its funding of the WBU for 5 years.

The Executive Member noted the importance of the work carried out by CAY and WBU to improve financial inclusion and

Resolved:  That, subject to the reporting and performance conditions set down in the respective service level agreements (SLAs), the following be approved:

(i)      the two levels of funding set out in paragraphs 3 and 7 of the report and the associated SLAs set out in Annexes A and B;

(ii)      a one-year holding agreement with CAY;

                   (ii)      a four-year agreement with WBU.

Reason:     To demonstrate the delivery of expected outputs and accountability for public expenditure.