Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Leader is asked to declare:

·        Any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        Any prejudicial interests or

·        Any disclosable pecuniary interests

which he might have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Leader was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests that he may have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 20 October 2015.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 20 October 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matter Arising

The Executive Member stated that, due to an administrative error, the Derwent Arms Public House had not yet been listed as an Asset of Community Value (minute 13 refers).  This was a regrettable situation and the issue was due to be given further consideration at a forthcoming decision session.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Leader’s remit can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Friday 19 February 2016.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

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 (whose 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/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Matthew Bloch, representative of the Friends of the Bay Horse group, spoke in support of the application for the Bay Horse to be designated as an Asset of Community Value.  He stated that he believed that the pub would be profitable as a standalone asset and that it was the cost of the lease that had been the issue.  If the Bay Horse were to be listed as an Asset of Community Value there would be a good chance of raising the required funding.  It was Murton’s only public house and was therefore unique.  

This report presents an application from the Friends of the Bay Horse, to list The Bay Horse, Murton Way, Murton, as an Asset of Community Value.

Resolved:  That the application to list The Bay Horse Public House as an Asset of Community Value be approved.

Reasons:   (i)      The criteria had been met for the reasons set out

                             in the report.

                   (ii)      To ensure the Council meets its legislative

requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and promotes community access to community facilities.

The Executive Leader considered a report that presented an application from The Friends of the Bay Horse, to list the Bay Horse, Murton Way, Murton as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

Referring to Annex 2 of the report, the Executive Member stated that he had contacted the Asset Director at Enterprise Inns plc to clarify some of the points that had been raised in the letter.

The Executive Member stated that he understood that the Bay Horse was currently on the market and sought clarification from the representative of the Friends of the Bay Horse as to the measures they were taking to raise the necessary funding.  The representative stated that a fundraising campaign was planned, some pledges of funding had already been received and the possibility of obtaining a mortgage had not been ruled out. 

The Executive Member stated that he believed that the criteria to list the Bay Horse Public House as an Asset of Community Value had been met, as it was clearly adding value to the community and was the only public house in the village.  Whilst he was keen to protect public houses for the benefit of the community wherever possible, he was also mindful of the need to ensure that the listing of such assets was not seen as a way of making it difficult for the companies who owned them.  He was therefore pleased to note the efforts that were being made by the community to raise the necessary funding and hoped that the designation of the Bay Horse as an Asset of Community Value would assist them in this process.

The representative of the Friends of the Bay Horse stated that, if it became evident that it would not be possible to raise the necessary funding, the Group would make this clear in order not to prevent a sale being made to another party.

Resolved:  That the application to list The Bay Horse Public House as an Asset of Community Value be approved.

Reasons:   (i)      The criteria had been met for the reasons set out

                             in the report.

                   (ii)      To ensure the Council meets its legislative

requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and promotes community access to community facilities.