Agenda, decisions and draft 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 were invited to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Sessions held on 15 January and 14 February 2020.

Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Decision Session held on 14 February 2020be approved and signed as a correct record.

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 6 March 2020.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, 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 no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. 

This report is brought to the Executive Members to seek approval for a four year funding agreement to March 2024 with Citizens Advice York (CAY) as set out in Annex B to the report.

Resolved: That the Citizen’s Advice York Service Level Agreement (as set out at Annex B to the report be approved), including the following:

(a)  the 4 year period of funding;

(b)  the financial decision to reflect:

(i)   the increase in funding to cover a contribution towards the staffing costs associated with providing a debt advice service, which is additional to the core service provided; and

(ii) the absorption by CYC of future accommodation charge increases.

Reasons:

1)   To demonstrate the delivery of expected outputs of and accountability for public expenditure.

2)   To meet Council priorities around financial inclusion activities.

The Executive Members considered a report that sought their approval for a four year funding agreement to March 2024 with Citizens Advice York (CAY) as set out in Annex B to the report.

The Assistant Director, Customer and Digital Services outlined the background to existing period of funding and proposed funding agreement, which included financial inclusion funding. She highlighted an error in the SLA paragraph 4 of Citizen’s Advice York Service Level Agreement (SLA) Annex B at page 18 of the agenda pack noting that debt was covered by core services and there words ‘particularly debt’ should be removed from that paragraph.

In response to a question regarding Appendix 2 of the SLA regarding the Statistical information to be provided to City of York Council by CAY on a quarterly basis, the Assistant Director, Customer and Digital Services noted that the profile of clients were based on strands that had financial inclusion aspects and she noted that sexual orientation could be added to this if it was felt necessary.

The Executive Members welcomed the Service Level Agreement and it was:

Resolved: That the Citizen’s Advice York Service Level Agreement (as set out at Annex B to the report be approved), including the following:

(a)  the 4 year period of funding;

(b)  the financial decision to reflect:

(i)   the increase in funding to cover a contribution towards the staffing costs associated with providing a debt advice service, which is additional to the core service provided; and

(ii) the absorption by CYC of future accommodation charge increases.

Reasons:

1)   To demonstrate the delivery of expected outputs of and accountability for public expenditure.

2)   To meet Council priorities around financial inclusion activities.

This report sets out the details of York’s proposed new retail discount scheme 2020 – 21 including pub relief and approve the category of retail properties that will benefit (the scheme). These discounts will provide a reduction in business rates for qualifying businesses helping to sustain employment and encourage growth of the York economy.

Resolved: That the following items be approved: 

a)           City of York Council’s scheme for applying the retail discount and pub relief in line with central government guidance (as set out at Annex A of the report);

b)           that properties not listed in the Government’s guidance (and at Annex A of the report) that may meet the qualifying criteria be considered on a case by case basis and awards made if deemed to meet the qualifying criteria by the Business Rates Team (as set out at Paragraph 9 of the report);

c)           that properties not listed in the Government’s guidance and at Annex A and are considered not to meet the stated qualifying criteria can be considered on a case by case basis and be declined by the Business Rates Team (as set out in Paragraphs 10 & 11 of the report); and

d)           that the council automatically awards this discount to all the businesses it identifies as meeting the qualifying criteria (as set out at Para 19 of the report).

Reason:     To support local business in York protect employment and grow the local economy.

The Executive Member considered a report that set out the details of York’s proposed new retail discount scheme 2020 – 21 including pub relief and approve the category of retail properties that will benefit (the scheme). These discounts will provide a reduction in business rates for qualifying businesses helping to sustain employment and encourage growth of the York economy.

The Head of Customer & Exchequer Services outlined the report and recommendations to the Executive Member explaining how retail discount scheme and pub relief would be operated in practice. The Executive Member welcomed the scheme and pub relief in supporting businesses in the city.

Resolved: That the following items be approved: 

a)           City of York Council’s scheme for applying the retail discount and pub relief in line with central government guidance (as set out at Annex A of the report);

b)           that properties not listed in the Government’s guidance (and at Annex A of the report) that may meet the qualifying criteria be considered on a case by case basis and awards made if deemed to meet the qualifying criteria by the Business Rates Team (as set out at Paragraph 9 of the report);

c)           that properties not listed in the Government’s guidance and at Annex A and are considered not to meet the stated qualifying criteria can be considered on a case by case basis and be declined by the Business Rates Team (as set out in Paragraphs 10 & 11 of the report); and

d)           that the council automatically awards this discount to all the businesses it identifies as meeting the qualifying criteria (as set out at Para 19 of the report).

Reason:     To support local business in York protect employment and grow the local economy.