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.

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member was asked to

declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests not included in the Register of Interests that he had the business on the agenda.

No additional interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on Monday 1 August 2016.

Resolved: That the minutes of the last Environment Decision Session held on 1 August 2016 be approved as a correct record and then signed by the Executive Member.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have

registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so. The

deadline for registering is at 5.00 pm on Friday 2 September 2016.

Members of the public may register to speak on an item on the agenda or an issue within the Executive Member’s remit.

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:

http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

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

This report provides an update on air quality in York, following submission of the first Annual Status Report to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in June 2016.

Resolved: (i) That the report be noted.

(ii)That the progress which has been made on a switch   to low emission vehicles in the bus and taxi fleet and the positive impact that this will have in further improvements to the air quality in the city be noted.

                (iii) That Officers review proposals to ensure that the Council fully utilises all available legislation to exclude highly polluting vehicles regularly in the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).

Reason:   To ensure that steps are taken to improve York’s air quality.

The Executive Member received a report on air quality in York, following submission of the first Annual Status Report to DEFRA in June 2016.

Officers outlined that 10% of the city’s taxi fleet was now low emission and that York had the country’s first low emission taxi licensing policy.

A number of written representations, which had been received, since the publication of the agenda, were read out by the Executive Member;

The first was from a member of the public who raised comments about the level of emissions from buses within the city centre and idling freight trains in the Holgate area. She was also concerned about noise pollution from particular bus engines, and requested that silencers be fitted to them.

The second was a response from First York which related to the anti idling measures that they had implemented.

The third written representation was from Councillor D’Agorne who commented on the absence of anti idling measures and the progress on the introduction of the Clean Air Zone and the Park and Ride contract. 

The Executive Member considered the Officer’s report and the comments raised by the written representations received. He welcomed the improvements that had been made and that some areas in the city could be removed from the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) if they continued to operate at current levels but recognised that significant work still remained. In regards to lowering emissions from buses, during a recent meeting with Transdev, an agreement had been reached for a number of Coastliner tour buses to be converted to electric engines. Ten of the Coastliner buses would also move from Euro III to Euro IV engines from October.

In response to the written representation from Councillor D’Agorne, Officers reported that the Council needed to work with all operators in respect of the introduction of the Clean Air Zone. It was noted that a report on the procurement of the new Park and Ride contract would be considered at Executive in October.

The Executive Member was informed that:

·        The refuse fleet would be renewed in three years time and when determining the contract, Ultra Low Emission Vehicles would have to be considered as part of EU regulations.

·        Procurement of the school bus contract

·        The presentation of information about Air Quality on the Council’s website was under investigation.

·        The promotion of electrical charging points was included within the Council Plan.

Resolved: (i) That the report be noted.

(ii)That the progress which had been made on a switch   to low emission vehicles in the bus and taxi fleet and the positive impact that this will have in further improvements to the air quality in the city be noted.

                (iii) That Officers review proposals to ensure that the Council fully utilises all available legislation to exclude highly polluting vehicles regularly in the Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs).

Reason:    To ensure that York’s air quality is improved.

This paper provides a report back, as requested by the Executive Member, on the Council’s response to the surface water flooding that occurred in June 2016.

Resolved: (i) That the actions carried out by the Council in response to the surface water flood event in June 2016 as set out in paragraphs 6-15 of the Officer’s report be noted.

                (ii) That the future actions planned as set out at Paragraphs 16-18 of the Officer’s report be agreed.

 (iii)  That Officers prepare the business case for a major capital investment project to the Executive for the delivery of significant improvements to the council operated drainage systems to form part of the Budget Process for the 2017/18 budget.

(iv)  That Officers review the enforcement process for building materials which end up blocking gulleys, and that there is a clear reporting system publicised to help prevent this from happening.

Reason:        To improve the management of York’s gulley assets and reduce the risk of future flooding.

Consideration was given to a report on the Council’s response to the surface water flooding that occurred in June 2016.

A written representation had been received from Councillor Richardson. He commented on the report’s findings and commended the cleaning programme and asset register but felt further future investment may be needed in priority areas.

The Executive Member wished to record his thanks to council teams who responded to requests for assistance from residents in the floods and subsequent rainfall events. He stated that it was important for the public to use social media to publicise the event, but it was more preferable for the incident to be reported to the Council before arriving at a critical stage.

Officers reported that:

·        It was important to remind Yorkshire Water of critical pipes.

·        A new customer relationship management system was in development which would allow for people to raise a query against a particular gulley that was blocked.

The Executive Member stated that it was important for people to report to the Council when building materials blocked drains and gulleys.

Resolved: (i) That the actions carried out by the Council in response to the surface water flood event in June 2016 as set out in paragraphs 6-15 of the Officer’s be noted.

                (ii) That the future actions at Paragraphs 16-18 of the Officer’s report be agreed.

 (iii)  That Officers prepare the business case for a major capital investment project to the Executive for the delivery of significant improvements to the council operated drainage systems to form part of the Budget Process for the 2017/18 budget.

(iv)  That Officers review the enforcement process for building materials which end up blocking gulleys, and that there is a clear reporting system publicised to help prevent this from happening.

Reason:        To improve the management of York’s gulley assets and reduce the risk of future flooding.

This report sets out a proposal to establish a York Community Recycling Fund.  The Executive Member is asked to approve the fund criteria and application process.

Resolved: (i) That the fund criteria as set out in Paragraphs 8-15 of of the Officer’s report be agreed.

                (ii) That the application process as set out at Paragraphs 17 to 18 in the Officer’s report be agreed.

               (iii) That Officers review support for Community Centres to improve the recycling from their centres, and how they can be fully engaged with the citywide messages to promote recycling.

(iv) That the application process will require a demonstration of outcomes to support recycling in the city, and no grant given would be more than £5k. In the case of over subscription, the Council would reserve the right to reduce the maximum given out pro rata.

Reason:    To improve waste prevention and recycling in York.

Consideration was given to a report which set out a proposal to establish a York Community Recycling Fund.

A written representation which had been received by the Executive Member, following publication of the agenda was read out. It related to recycling for community centre users.

The Executive Member asked about the maximum size of the fund that would be made available for applicants. Officers confirmed that this was £5k. He felt that there needed to be clear monitoring on the use of public funds and that the criteria should include how the community projects had made an impact.

Resolved: (i) That the fund criteria as set out in Paragraphs 8-15 of of the Officer’s report be agreed.

                (ii) That the application process as set out at Paragraphs 17 to 18 in the Officer’s report be agreed.

               (iii) That Officers review support for Community Centres to improve the recycling from their centres, and how they can be fully engaged with the citywide messages to promote recycling.

(iv) That the application process will require a demonstration of outcomes to support recycling in the city, and no grant given would be more than £5k. In the case of over subscription, the Council would reserve the right to reduce the maximum given out pro rata.

Reason:    To improve waste prevention and recycling in York.