Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Cabinet Member was asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests she may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2011.

RESOLVED:                That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 20^th September 2011 be approved and signed by the Cabinet Member as a correct record.

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

There had been a registration to speak for agenda item 5, John Street Petition, details of which are under the relevant minute item.

Following an efficiency review, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member considered the report and agreed to the recommendation of the Parking Review, namely closure of 9 St. Leonards Parking Services reception.

REASON:                     To deliver the service efficiency savings identified in the 2011/12 Parking Service Review.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which sought approval for the closure of the Parking Services Reception at 9 St Leonards Place on Saturdays.

Officers outlined the report and advised that St. Leonards Place is closed on Saturdays apart from the Parking Reception, for which the building has to be opened up at a cost of £11k per year. In addition, staff also accrue lieu time and temporary staff then have to be employed through the week. As the reception is not particularly well used on Saturdays, it is felt that resources could be better used throughout the week.

The Cabinet Member commented that providing a good communication strategy was put into place to advise residents that the reception would be closing on a Saturday, then she was happy to approve the recommendation.

Officers confirmed that the opening times of the reception could be put on parking tickets and that a leaflet drop to areas with permit parking would also be considered.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member considered the report and agreed to the recommendation of the Parking Review, namely closure of 9 St. Leonards Parking Services reception.

REASON:                     To deliver the service efficiency savings identified in the 2011/12 Parking Service Review.

This report is in response to a petition submitted to full Council by Councillor Boyce on 7 July 2011 and signed by 25 residents of John Street and surrounding area. The petition requests that the Council resurface the road on John Street.

RESOLVED: (i)            That the Cabinet Member noted the receipt of the Petition

(ii)            That the option outlined in Paragraph 8 was approved and that in line with current Council policy, the carriageway be ranked along with other grade 3 roads for inclusion in the 2012/13 scheme programme.

(iii)           That Officers were instructed to contact Yorkshire Water to establish the level of work to be undertaken in John Street and liaise with Councillor Boyce to pass on any information to residents.

(iv)           That the area be considered for spot checks by Council Officers to ensure the carriageway has been put back to a an acceptable level by the utility companies.

REASON:                     In order to seek to address residents concerns and to continue to be in accordance with Council policy.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which outlined a response to a petition which was submitted to full council by Councillor Boyce and signed by 25 residents of John Street and surrounding area. The petition requests that City of York Council resurface the road on John Street.

A copy of the petition was attached at Annex 1 to the report. In 2010/11 the annual condition survey graded the carriageway as 3 (poor).

A resident, Mr. Wheatley had registered to speak and advised the Cabinet Member that the road had deteriorated in recent years and is currently in a bad state of repair. It had been earmarked to be resurfaced at the same time as nearby Mill Lane but the Council had ran out of money. He also advised that there was the additional problem of Utility companies continuously digging up the road and not putting the surface back as it should be.

Councillor Boyce who was also in attendance, advised that she supported the petition and the resurfacing of the road would be of great benefit to residents.

The Head of Highway Infrastructure advised that the road is currently ranked 29^th on the list of unclassified roads awaiting resurfacing and would not be included in the 2011/12 programme of work. Depending on the severity of the forthcoming winter and the impact this may or may not have, he advised that John Street would likely be included in the 2012/13 scheme. In addition, he advised that unfortunately the Council is unable to prioritise the road as it would then be taking the place of roads with a greater need of repair.

The Cabinet Member advised that while she acknowledged the frustrations of the residents of John Street, she was unable to approve prioritising the resurfacing due to the significant problem in York of damaged roads. She asked that the Head of Highway Infrastructure contacts Yorkshire Water to establish exactly what work they will be undertaking and asked that John Street be considered by Officers to be spot checked to ensure the utility companies are replacing the surface correctly.

RESOLVED: (i)            That the Cabinet Member noted the receipt of the Petition

(ii)            That the option outlined in Paragraph 8 was approved and that in line with current Council policy, the carriageway be ranked along with other grade 3 roads for inclusion in the 2012/13 scheme programme.

(iii)           That Officers were instructed to contact Yorkshire Water to establish the level of work to be undertaken in John Street and liaise with Councillor Boyce to pass on any information to residents.1

(iv)           That the area be considered for spot checks by Council Officers to ensure the carriageway has been put back to a an acceptable level by the utility companies.

REASON:                     In order to seek to address residents concerns and to continue to be in accordance with Council policy.

Service plans for food law enforcement, health & safety law enforcement and animal health enforcement are produced on an annual basis in response to national requirements. The purpose of this report is to seek member approval for these plans.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member approved the National Service Plans and recommended that they be referred to Cabinet for approval.

REASON:                     In order that the Council can discharge its statutory obligations in regard to service planning for environmental health and trading standards services.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which sought approval of the service plans for food law enforcement, health and safety law enforcement and animal health enforcement.

Officers outlined the report, in particular that the purpose of each service plan is similar in that they contain details of how local authorities are addressing national enforcement priorities. Guidance for completing each plan is issued by the FSA, HSC and DEFRA and states that the plans should be submitted to the appropriate member forum for approval.

Officers advised that paragraph 1.4 of the Animal Health Service Plan was no longer relevant and should be disregarded.  An amended version of the Service Plan would be supplied to Democratic Services for publication on the Council website.

The Cabinet Member commented that she was happy to approve the service plans.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member approved the National Service Plans and recommended that they be referred to Cabinet for approval.

REASON:                     In order that the Council can discharge its statutory obligations in regard to service planning for environmental health and trading standards services.