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 10 December 2018 (postponed from 3 December 2018.)

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 10 December 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, 4 January 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.

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 two registrations to speak at the session under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, and one request to speak by a ward member. All related to Agenda Item 4 (Refill York).

John McGall spoke on behalf of “i am reusable”, a York initiative to reduce waste.  He expressed disappointment that he had not been informed of this item in advance and that i am reusable was not mentioned in the report and suggested that another meeting be arranged to discuss the issues further. 

Gwen Swinburn spoke as a member of the public.  She pointed out weak areas in the report with regard to consultation, options and budget and suggested that it be rejected.

Cllr D’Agorne spoke as a ward member for Fishergate.  He welcomed the report as an initial response to the motion to Full Council in December but suggested it should recommend supporting both i am reusable and Yorkshire on Tap and the introduction of annual performance indicators to measure the impact of initiatives on waste reduction.

This report outlines the proposal for City of York Council to support a campaign focussed on encouraging people to drink more water from recycled water bottles or cups.

Resolved:  (i)      That both the “i am reusable” and the “Yorkshire on Tap” initiatives be supported.

Reason:     To help reduce single use plastics in the city.

                   (ii)      That officers be asked to review how a wide range of schemes for reusable bottles and cups in the city can be supported and promoted.

Reason:     To drive down waste and litter in the city.

                   (iii)     That officers be asked to work with One Planet York partners to co-ordinate the promotion of these initiatives as part of a coherent plan to enhance York’s sustainability.

Reason:     To encourage a partnership in line with the council’s values and the principles of One Planet York.

                   (iv)    That officers be asked to organise a follow up meeting for interested parties.

Reason:     In order to explore how the council can assist in promoting a city-wide campaign, involving existing initiatives, to reduce single use plastics and the waste that they cause and to encourage people to drink more water.

The Executive Member considered a report which sought approval to support a campaign to encourage people to drink more water from recycled water bottles or cups.

In May 2018 Yorkshire Water, in association with Refill, had launched the ‘Yorkshire on Tap’ initiative.  The proposal as outlined in the report was for the council to work with Yorkshire Water on this initiative and host a civic event in the Mansion House to launch the scheme to the media and encourage businesses and residents to pledge their support.

The Executive Member commented that he had not seen the report prior to its publication and that it should have responded more clearly to the motion approved by Full Council in December.  He outlined the council’s position as a neutral party willing to lend support to any scheme to reduce waste and invited Mr McGall back to the table to explain more about his i am reusable initiative.

In response to these comments and to matters raised under Public Participation, the officer presenting the report:

·        Apologised for the quality of the report and lack of prior engagement with the Executive Member and interested parties.

·        Explained that the aim of the proposal was not to set up a new scheme but to work with and raise awareness of existing schemes, to encourage people to drink more water, reduce the use of single use plastics across the city and reduce waste.

·        Confirmed that the proposal would be funded from the existing public health campaigns budget.

Resolved:  (i)      That both the “i am reusable” and the “Yorkshire on Tap” initiatives be supported.

Reason:     To help reduce single use plastics in the city.

                   (ii)      That officers be asked to review how a wide range of schemes for reusable bottles and cups in the city can be supported and promoted.

Reason:     To drive down waste and litter in the city.

                   (iii)     That officers be asked to work with One Planet York partners to co-ordinate the promotion of these initiatives as part of a coherent plan to enhance York’s sustainability.

Reason:     To encourage a partnership in line with the council’s values and the principles of One Planet York.

                   (iv)    That officers be asked to organise a follow up meeting for interested parties.

Reason:     In order to explore how the council can assist in promoting a city-wide campaign, involving existing initiatives, to reduce single use plastics and the waste that they cause and to encourage people to drink more water.