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 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 respect of business on the agenda.  No additional interests were declared.

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 Monday 27 March 2017.

Members of the public may register to speak on:-

· an item on the agenda

· 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 had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Ms Gwen Swinburn spoke in respect of agenda item 3 – Guarantees relating to Pension Fund Admitted Bodies.  She raised concerns regarding the handling of this matter including the issue not having been considered as a key decision and detailed information not having been provided in respect of the costs involved.

This report seeks approval for the Council to amend the pension fund guarantor arrangements in relation to the following organisations:

·        Yorkshire Museums Trust

·        Veritau

·        Make It York

·        Be Independent

·        Explore 

Resolved:  That the change to the guarantor arrangements in relation to the admitted bodies from guarantee of last resort to a subsumption guarantee be approved.

Reason:     To enable the admitted bodies a greater level of security and reduce risk to the pension fund.

As this item impacted on companies which include those of which the Leader is a director, Councillor Carr had allocated this decision to Councillor Rawlings.

The Executive Member considered a report that sought approval for the Council to amend the guarantor arrangements in relation to the following organisations:

·        Yorkshire Museums Trust

·        Veritau

·        Make it York

·        Be Independent

·        Explore

The Executive Member stated that, in considering this issue, he was taking into account confidential financial briefing papers that he had requested from officers in advance of the meeting.  This information was exempt from publication in view of its commercial sensitivity.

Officers detailed the differences between the current arrangements whereby these bodies had a guarantee of last resort and the proposed new arrangement to provide a subsumption guarantee.  The Executive Member was informed that the proposed new arrangement would offer greater security for the Pension Fund and the admitted bodies without creating any additional financial burden for the Council.

In response to questions from the Executive Member, officers explained why the issue had not been deemed to be a key decision and the reasons why it had not been included on the Forward Plan at an earlier stage.

The Executive Member requested that when future matters of this nature were considered consideration was given to including more detailed information in the published report and, although not technically a key decision, consideration was given as to whether it would be more appropriate for the issue to be taken by the Executive.  He was, however, satisfied that on the information that had been provided the proposed arrangements offered a potential reduction in the Council’s liabilities and hence he supported Option 1 detailed in the report.

Resolved:  That the change to the guarantor arrangements in relation to the admitted bodies from guarantee of last resort to a subsumption guarantee be approved.

Reason:     To enable the admitted bodies a greater level of security and reduce risk to the pension fund.