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 may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, 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 which he had in the business on the agenda. No additional interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2017.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2017 be approved and then signed by the Executive Member 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 17 November 2017.  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 Officers 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 Officers (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 under the Council’s Public Participation scheme.

The report requests approval to take part of the budget for this scheme as a saving on the Housing Revenue Account which is facilitated by the service being procured as part of the Handyperson Scheme via Adult Social Care commissioning.

Resolved: That option B be approved:

Procuring a grass and hedge cutting service as part of the wider Handyperson Service to deliver savings of £46,000 whilst providing a similar service for customers on benefits and those allowed on to the scheme on a discretionary basis. Develop other options for customers unable to find other means to manage their gardens in the longer term who don’t qualify.

Reason:   Consultation suggests that over half of customers receiving this service are not prepared to pay for it and this proposal delivers a similar service for most existing customers at no cost to them.

The Executive Member considered a report that requested his approval to take part of the budget for the Garden Assistance Scheme as a saving on the Housing Revenue Account which was facilitated by the service being procured as part of the Handyperson Scheme via Adult Social Care commissioning.

The Head of Housing was in attendance to present the report and he highlighted the background to the budget savings. He explained how the original proposed saving of £96k, by ending the Garden Assistance Scheme, would have had a big impact on customers so an alternative way to deliver the service, whilst also delivering a saving of £46k, had been developed. He confirmed that the proposed scheme would be offered to qualifying customers who were over 70 and/or registered disabled or receiving a disability related benefit and would reduce the number of customers receiving the free service from 365 to 306.

The Executive Member noted that the service would be means tested and that the overall cost also included a provision for a small number of tenants to join the scheme on a discretionary or exceptional basis, which would be reviewed annually. He welcomed the option for customers to purchase the service and he thanked officers for developing a provision that would continue to help those customers who qualified whilst still achieving a significant saving.

Resolved: That option B be approved:

Procuring a grass and hedge cutting service as part of the wider Handyperson Service to deliver savings of £46,000 whilst providing a similar service for customers on benefits and those allowed on to the scheme on a discretionary basis. Develop other options for customers unable to find other means to manage their gardens in the longer term who don’t qualify.

Reason:   Consultation suggests that over half of customers receiving this service are not prepared to pay for it and this proposal delivers a similar service for most existing customers at no cost to them.