Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Members are asked to

declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of

Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Members 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 Sessions held on 9 March 2020 and 7 October 2020.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 9 March 2020 and 7 October 2020 be approved, to be signed by the Executive Member at a later date.

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 Friday 23 October 2020.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form. If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting whose details can be found at the foot of this agenda.  

Webcasting of Remote Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this remote public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The remote 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 no registrations to speak at the session under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This paper provides the Executive Member for Finance & Performance and the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods with the current position of the Government funded Covid-19 Hardship Fund. The paper recommends the continuation of the scheme through council funding and also the existing additional covid-19 welfare schemes to 31 March 2021.

Resolved: That;  

a)   The financial support provided to residents to date be noted.

b)   Approval be given to the extension of the hardship scheme with council funding to 31 March 2021

c)   Approval be given to the continuation of the community based welfare support and discretionary free school meals as set out at Table 1.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the councils most financially vulnerable residents during the covid-19 pandemic.

This item was considered in consultation with Cllr Craghill (Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods).

The Executive Members considered a report that provided them with an update on the current position of the Government funded Covid-19 Hardship Fund and broader welfare support through the £1.2m funding provided by the council. The paper recommended the continuation of the Hardship scheme and broader welfare support including discretionary school meals, internet access, and community hub support including food parcels through council funding  to 31 March 2021.

The Assistant Director Customer and Digital Services outlined the report and provided an update on the funds made available from the government for the hardship scheme now been exhausted. The Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods welcomed all the proposals for extending the financial support l. She expressed concern regarding the council running out of Government funding and the need for council support likely increasing over the winter months. The Executive Member for Finance and Performance added that whilst government funding was helpful it did not cover all costs. He thanked staff for their continued support.

It was:

Resolved: That; 

                     i.        The financial support provided to residents to date be noted.

                    ii.        Approval be given to the extension of the hardship scheme with council funding to 31 March 2021

                  iii.        Approval be given to the continuation of the community based welfare support and discretionary free school meals as set out at Table 1.

Reason:     To provide financial support to the councils most financially vulnerable residents during the covid-19 pandemic.

This report sets out the performance of the council’s Commercial Portfolio in 2020 highlighting the impact of Covid-19. The report also sets out measures taken to support tenants and identifies the resulting financial position and the level of vacancies in the estate.  The report includes an update on the situation on Spark York which was reported to the Executive Member, prior to the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK, on 14 February 2020.

Resolved: That;

                                         i.    the position and the support that the City Council has provided to the businesses within its commercial property portfolio in relation to the COVID-19 situation be noted;

                                        ii.    the impact of COVID-19 situation on the previously agreed lease to Spark:York be noted and that agreement be given to the removal of the obligation upon Spark:York to provide a deposit/bond payment and guarantee from one of its directors as part of the pre requisites originally required for the grant of a further lease.

Reason:     To note the current impact of Covid-19 on the City Council’s commercial property following the grant of rent deferments, as set out in the report and to provide Spark York with further support and financial viability for their short term use of 17-21 Piccadilly.

The Executive Member considered a report that set out the performance of the council’s Commercial Portfolio in 2020 highlighting the impact of COVID-19. The report also detailed the measures taken to support tenants and identified the resulting financial position and the level of vacancies in the estate.  The report included an update on the situation on Spark:York which was reported to the Executive Member, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK, on 14 February 2020.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration and Asset Management noted the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality sector and added that Spark:York had played an important role over the summer and had asked for amended terms of its lease.

The Executive Member welcomed the recommendations and acknowledged the contribution of Soark:York for business start-ups and how it had added to the vibrancy of the city centre over the summer period. He noted that they had also complied with planning conditions.

He then:

Resolved: That;

                                         i.    the position and the support that the City Council has provided to the businesses within its commercial property portfolio in relation to the COVID-19 situation be noted;

                                        ii.    the impact of COVID-19 situation on the previously agreed lease to Spark:York be noted and that agreement be given to the removal of the obligation upon Spark:York to provide a deposit/bond payment and guarantee from one of its directors as part of the pre requisites originally required for the grant of a further lease.

Reason:     To note the current impact of Covid-19 on the City Council’s commercial property following the grant of rent deferments, as set out in the report and to provide Spark York with further support and financial viability for their short term use of 17-21 Piccadilly.