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 they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Leader was invited to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests, which he might have in the business on the agenda.  No additional interests were declared.

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, 20 July 2018.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact Democratic Services, 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.

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 (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

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

Gwen Swinburn spoke in relation to item 3 (Purchase of Elmwood House), querying why the matter had not been on the Forward Plan and the usual deadlines and procedures followed.  In response, the Executive Leader confirmed that the correct statutory and constitutional procedures had been applied for an urgent item.

This report requests approval for the purchase by Housing Services of four apartments under the council’s Shared Ownership Programme.

The session has been convened so that this matter, which is a key decision, can be dealt with in accordance with the urgency procedures in Regulation 10 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.  The reason for the urgency is to enable the purchase to go ahead without delay, as there is a risk that otherwise the seller will withdraw from the sale.   

As this decision was taken under urgency procedures, this item can not be called in.

Resolved:  That the freehold purchase of four one-bedroom and two- bedroom apartments at Elmwood House, Cemetery Road, York, for £680,000, be approved.

Reason:     To enable the acquisition of these dwellings for the council’s Shared Ownership Programme and to ensure that the purchase is not delayed and therefore put at risk of the seller withdrawing from the agreement to sell them to the council.

As it involved  a key decision, and had been on the Forward Plan for less than 28 days, the matter had been brought to the Executive Leader under urgency procedures, with  notice duly given under Regulation 10 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Head of Housing explained that urgent approval was needed to secure the purchase of the flats in order to prevent the owner from withdrawing from the sale. He added that the purchase of the flats was for the benefit of York citizens.

In response to a question from the Executive Leader, officers clarified that the cumulative cost for the purchase of the four flats was over £500k.

The Executive Leader noted that the purchase of the flats was beneficial to the city and it was:

Resolved:        That the freehold purchase of four one-bedroom and two- bedroom apartments at Elmwood House, Cemetery Road, York, for £680,000, be approved.

Reason:   To enable the acquisition of these dwellings for the council’s Shared Ownership Programme and to ensure that the purchase is not delayed and therefore put at risk of the seller withdrawing from the agreement to sell them to the council.