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.

No additional interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 20 September 2018.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2018 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 to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Wednesday 24 October. 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 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 seeks approval from the Executive Member to write off former rent arrears over £5000, where there is no realistic prospect of repayment.

Resolved:      That Former Tenant Arrears over £5000 be written off on the understanding that if necessary they can be re-instated at a later date.

Reason:         It is considered good financial practice to write off uncollectable debts so that they do not count against the bad debt provision within the Housing Revenue Account. Debts can be written back onto a customer’s account if they come to the attention of Housing Services in the future and will be applied against policies which consider housing related debt.

Officers presented the case for writing off former tenant arrears that were unlikely to recovered. The Executive member questioned officers on the timescale of the individual cases presented and agreed that the option to write off these arrears was in the best interest of the Council.

Resolved:  That Former Tenant Arrears over £5000 be written off on the understanding that if necessary they can be re-instated at a later date.

Reason:     It is considered good financial practice to write off uncollectable debts so that they do not count against the bad debt provision within the Housing Revenue Account. Debts can be written back onto a customer’s account if they come to the attention of Housing Services in the future and will be applied against policies which consider housing related debt.