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 he might have in respect of business on this agenda.

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

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 2 July 2018.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 2 July 2018 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 Friday, 31 August 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.

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 in advance of the meeting. Contact details are at the foot of this agenda.

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 session under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Councillor D’Agorne, member for Fishergate ward, was in attendance for item 4 (York 5 Year Flood Plan Update) and was invited by the Chair to ask any questions he might have on that item in relation to his ward.  He asked whether there were any unresolved matters following the public meeting on flood cell B16 (New Walk) and the EA officer replied that discussions were ongoing with one resident.

This report provides an update regarding progress on the York Five Year Flood Plan since the last update in June 2018, including details of work carried out by the Environment Agency, use of additional funding allocated to gulley management, and the role of the Emergency Planning Assistant .

Resolved:  (i)      That the report, and the further information presented at the session by the Environment Agency representative and council officers, be noted.

Reason:     To confirm that the Executive Member is aware of the current position regarding progress on the 5 Year Flood Plan and on gulley management.

                   (ii)      That information on the progress of the investigation into the consequences in York of the storm on 13 August 2018 be included on the council’s website.

Reason:     So that residents can see how this is being dealt with in each area.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided an update on progress against the York 5 Year Flood Plan, including information on the use of additional funding allocated to gulley cleansing and the Emergency Planning Assistant role funded after the Independent Flood Enquiry.  An officer from the EA and the council’s Flood Risk Manager were present to answer questions.

Annex 1 to the report detailed work carried out by the Environment Agency (EA) since the last update on 4 June.  It included a summary of city-wide activities, an update on each flood cell and a public engagement plan for the next 5 months.  The EA officer highlighted key points and both officers responded to questions from the Executive Member, confirming that:

·        Work in flood cell B8 (Clementhorpe and South Bank), which had been ongoing for some time, was being expedited.

·        The council and the EA were meeting next week to discuss a holistic solution to issues in flood cell B9 (Fulford), in view of current and planned works on the A19 and Fordlands Road.

·        Flood storage options were also being considered for cells F4 (Tang Hall Beck) and F5 (Osbaldwick Beck).

·        Officers would look at producing a visual representation of the proposed flood storage area for cells F8/10/11, and explaining the wider benefits of this option beyond Strensall.

·        Flood defence work in Museum Gardens could potentially protect about 50 properties currently at risk of flooding.

·        In cell B10, ‘formalisation’ of pumping arrangements for Blue Beck meant building a permanent pumping station.

Progress on the gulley cleansing programme was set out in paragraphs 9 to 20 of the report.  A summary of the work of the Emergency Planning Assistant was provided in paragraphs 21 to 24.  A multi-year maintenance programme was needed to address defects in the 900 ‘non-runner’ gullies identified in the review reported to the December 2017 Decision Session.  Officers would prepare a bid to the capital programme for the additional funding required.  In respect of the storm on 13 August 2018, an investigation was in progress to examine the consequences for the affected areas and determine action to be taken.  In response to the Executive Member’s questions, officers agreed that:

·        It would be helpful to have discussions with Yorkshire Water on some of the ongoing gulley issues.

·        A list of areas included in the storm investigation would be placed online, along with information to explain why the volume of water overwhelmed some un-blocked gullies.

Resolved:  (i)      That the report, and the further information presented at the session by the Environment Agency representative and council officers, be noted.

Reason:     To confirm that the Executive Member is aware of the current position regarding progress on the 5 Year Flood Plan and on gulley management.

                   (ii)      That information on the progress of the investigation into the consequences in York of the storm on 13 August 2018 be included on the council’s website.

Reason:     So that residents can see how this is being dealt with in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

This report presents the results of a review undertaken by the Highways Service to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees while they are at work, in relation to the provision and use of PPE.

Resolved:  (i)      That the review, and the decision taken to increase the base level of PPE for Highways staff, be noted.

                   (ii)      That information on PPE and the progress of the review be placed on the council’s website.

Reason:     So that the public are made aware of the PPE standards that apply, and which organisation/s to contact with any concerns.

The Executive Member considered a report which outlined a review undertaken by the Highways Service of the provision and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees whilst they are at work, as requested at the last Decision Session. 

PPE should be used as a last resort, or in combination with other measures, and in conjunction with training.  Some commercial contractors had chosen to standardise PPE for their employees; historically, the council had taken a more flexible approach.  However, it was now intended to adopt a base level of PPE for all tasks within the service.  Further details were set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 and in the appendices to the report.  Consultation was currently ongoing with staff and trades unions to ensure a smooth transition to this new approach.

In response to questions from the Executive Member, officers clarified that:

·        PPE worked in conjunction with other control measures; e.g. changing work patterns and providing water in hot weather;

·        The new standard would apply to all workers on council sites; on other contractors’ sites, their policy would apply;

·        The public could report their concerns in respect of any site to the Health & Safety Executive.

Resolved:  (i)      That the review, and the decision taken to increase the base level of PPE for Highways staff, be noted.

Reason:     To confirm that the council is complying with relevant legislation and working to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of its employees and others working on its sites.

                   (ii)      That information on PPE and the progress of the review be placed on the council’s website.

Reason:     So that the public are made aware of the PPE standards that apply, and who to contact with any concerns.