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.

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which he had on the business on the agenda. No additional interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2018.

Resolved:    That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2018 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 16 February 2018.  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.

This report proposes an initiative to bring parking enforcement on council housing land within the remit of City of York Council Parking Services and seeks approval from the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods on the recommendations in this report.

The Executive Member considered a report that proposed an initiative to bring parking enforcement on council housing land within the remit of City of York Council Parking Services.

The Parking Services Manager was in attendance to present the report and confirmed that following concerns from staff and customer complaints around the current level of service provided, discussions had taken place between Housing and Parking Services to explore the merits and legality of using civil enforcement powers on housing land. 

The Executive Member noted that following consultation with Legal Services the advice confirmed that housing land could be considered public land rather then private so the civil enforcement powers pertaining to Parking were therefore enforceable on housing land.

The Executive Member thanked the officer for his update and he considered the options and recommendations put forward in the report.

Resolved:

(i)           That the use of City of York Council Parking Services enforcement service for enforcement on council Housing Land (all garage areas and other designated land) using it’s existing civil enforcement powers (Option A), be approved.

            Reason:  To ensure comprehensive, consistent and effective notification and enforcement on housing land where inappropriate, inconsiderate and unauthorised parking takes place by an in house service.

(ii)          That the relevant officers be authorised to implement the proposed parking enforcement arrangements on Council housing land set out in the report, subject to approval by the Executive Member for Transport and Planning and including the development of a separate Traffic Regulation Order for all identified housing land to be enforced on, as well as advertising and putting in place the Traffic Regulation Order.

          Reason: To ensure that the order is legally and correctly put in place, signed effectively, advertised and is enforceable.

(iii)        That charging for parking permits on housing land in future, initially at a rate below resident parking rates but increasing over time to reach parity over a 5 year period, be approved.

             Reason: To bring parity and fairness between Housing and non housing parking customers and provide income to help cover the costs of parking enforcement.

The report seeks the Executive Member’s approval to issue a proposed new lease to all new leaseholders exercising the Right To Buy for all appropriate properties in order to provide greater clarity for Housing Services, leaseholders and tenants.

                   Resolved:  That the proposed lease at Annex B for all future appropriate Right To Buy sales (option A) be accepted.

Reason:  This provides greater clarity for Housing Services, leaseholders and tenants and will allow Housing Services to recover legitimate costs from leaseholders with confidence

The Executive Member considered a report that sought his approval to issue a proposed new lease to all new leaseholders exercising the Right To Buy for all appropriate properties in order to provide greater clarity for Housing Services, leaseholders and tenants.

The Head of Housing was in attendance to give an update and he stated that the current lease was vague in many areas, did not reflect best practice and had not been reviewed for at least 30 years.

The Executive Member noted that officers had consulted with specialist organisations, the National Leasehold Service and with residents and leaseholders whose comments had helped shape the final version of the lease, which they agreed should be adopted.

Officers answered the Executive Members questions and it was:

Resolved:  That the proposed lease at Annex B for all future appropriate Right To Buy sales (option A) be accepted.

Reason:  This provides greater clarity for Housing Services, leaseholders and tenants and will allow Housing Services to recover legitimate costs from leaseholders with confidence