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 might have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member was asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests he may have in the business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 16 December 2015.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session of the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods held on 16 December 2015 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 their wish to speak at the meeting can do so. The

deadline for registering is at 5.00 pm on Friday 12 February 2016.

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 Officers (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:

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webca

sting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

It was reported that Councillor Boyce, Shadow Labour Spokesperson for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, had registered to speak on agenda item 4 (Determination of whether to consult on the possible introduction of a Public Space Protection Order at Holgate Dock) and item 5 (Proposed Changes to the City of York Housing Tenancy Agreement – Results of Consultation).  It was agreed that she would make her comments during consideration of each item.

The purpose of this report is to agree in principle to proceed with public consultation on the potential implementation of a Public Space Protection Order to restrict or ban dogs from the Holgate Dock site.

Resolved:  That a six week consultation process with local residents and interested stakeholders be undertaken by City of York Council to determine whether to introduce a Public Space Protection Order for Holgate Dock.

Reason:     To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of anti-social behaviour in our communities.

The Executive Member considered a report which requested that he agree, in principle, to proceed with public consultation on the potential implementation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to restrict or ban dogs from the Holgate Dock site. 

The Executive Member considered the options detailed in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report.

The Executive Member stated that he had already received representations from dog owners as well as from staff at the local primary school and these would be considered as part of the formal consultation process.

Councillor Boyce was invited to put forward her views.  She noted that formal consultation would take place and stated that she had nothing to add at this stage.

Resolved:  That a six week consultation process with local residents and interested stakeholders be undertaken by City of York Council to determine whether to introduce a Public Space Protection Order for Holgate Dock.

Reason:     To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of anti-social behaviour in its communities.

In order to allow for 4 weeks notice of the changes to tenancy agreements to be given to tenants and to enable the changes to be implemented for the 2016/17 financial year this report has been added to the agenda as an urgent item.

The Executive Member is asked to consider the results of the consultation with tenants and agree the proposed changes to the City of York Council tenancy agreements.

Resolved:  That the proposed changes to the housing tenancy agreement, as set out in paragraphs 17 to 38 of the report, be agreed subject to the tenancy agreement including a clause stating that there would also be a requirement for tenants to gain permission to breed from a pet and that breeding for commercial gain would not be granted.

Reason:     To better enable the council to enforce tenancy conditions for the benefit of all tenants, enable customers to budget more effectively, make sure those most in need get council homes that become vacant and to help promote animal welfare/responsible pet ownership.

The Executive Member considered a report which set out the results of the consultation with tenants on the proposed changes to City of York Council Housing Tenancy Agreement. 

This item had been added to agenda as an urgent item in order to allow for four weeks notice of the changes to tenancy agreements to be given to tenants and to enable the changes to be implemented for the 2016-17 financial year should the Executive Member approve the recommendations.

Officers drew attention to paragraph 11 of the report, which detailed the results of the consultation that had been carried out.

Councillor Boyce was invited to put forward her views.  She stated that she was broadly in agreement with the proposed changes and that it appeared that tenants were also supportive of them.  She did, however, have concerns regarding the proposed policy in respect of the breeding of animals.  She stated that she had understood that originally the intention had been that the breeding of animals would not be permitted under any circumstances and was therefore concerned to note in the report that the proposal was now not to permit the breeding of animals “either as a business or for commercial gain”.  Councillor Boyce stated that, as well as the animal welfare issues, unregulated breeding of animals was a cause of nuisance for neighbours and was a significant problem.  She commented that, because it was difficult to identify and evidence breeding that was for commercial gain, there would also be issues in respect of enforcement. 

The Executive Member considered the options detailed in paragraph 14 of the report.

The Executive Member stated that he acknowledged the points that had been raised by Councillor Boyce, particularly in respect of repetitive breeding of animals or breeding for commercial gain.  He did, however, believe that there may be circumstances when it would not be appropriate to prevent a responsible owner from breeding from a pet.   For this reason he believed that it would be appropriate for the proposed changes to be amended to state that permission must be sought to breed an animal but that breeding for commercial gain would not be granted.

Resolved:  That the proposed changes to the housing tenancy agreement, as set out in paragraphs 17 to 38 of the report, be agreed subject to the tenancy agreement including a clause stating that there would also be a requirement for tenants to gain permission to breed from a pet and that breeding for commercial gain would not be granted.

Reason:     To better enable the council to enforce tenancy conditions for the benefit of all tenants, enable customers to budget more effectively, make sure those most in need get council homes that become vacant and to help promote animal welfare/responsible pet ownership.