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 she might have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Member was asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests or any prejudicial or discloseable pecuniary interest that she might have in respect of the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on Wednesday 5 May 2021.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 5 May 2021 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. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at remote meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Monday 5 July 2021.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill out an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact the relevant Democracy Officer, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The public meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

During coronavirus, we've made some changes to how we're running council meetings. See our coronavirus updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

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 The registration was withdrawn prior to the meeting.

The Executive Member will consider a report which sets out the considerations and makes recommendations on an approach to restrict the use of sky lanterns on City of York Council owned/controlled property.

Resolved: That approval be given to the policy statement included in paragraph 17 of the report and that officers be requested take forward the necessary actions to implement it.

Reason:     To reduce the environmental risks of sky lanterns within York and its surrounding area.

The Executive Member considered a report setting out the proposal for the ban on releasing of sky lanterns on City of York Council owned/controlled property. The Head of Corporate Policy and City Partnerships outlined the report, detailing the rationale for the policy statement included at paragraph 17 of the report:

“City of York Council has banned the release of sky lanterns from its land.

We are committed to encouraging businesses, communities, landowners, schools, residential homes and individuals to switch to alternative ways of celebrating and commemorating events.

City of York Council has pledged to:

·        Promote the restriction of the release of sky lantern on property and land owned by the Council. This includes those that are made from bamboo or claim to be biodegradable.

·        Ask all Parish and Town Councils within York to ban the release of sky lanterns on Parish or Town Council land.

·        Incorporate the ban into all future residential tenancy and land lease agreements.

·        Ban the use of sky lanterns in any council-approved events.

·        Proactively engage with businesses, landowners, schools, residential homes, council tenants, social housing providers, charities and community groups, to raise awareness of safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives that people can celebrate with, through promotion and campaigns. “

He explained the environmental and health and safety risks posed by the release of sky lanterns. The Executive Member welcomed the policy statement, then;

Resolved: That approval be given to the policy statement included in paragraph 17 of the report and that officers be requested take forward the necessary actions to implement it.

Reason:     To reduce the environmental risks of sky lanterns within York and its surrounding area.