Agenda item
Notices of Motion
To consider the following Notices of Motion under Standing Order 11:
A – Motions referred from the Executive in accordance with Standing Order 11(a)(i)
None
B – Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Orders 11(a)(ii)
(i) From Cllr Steve Galloway
“Council notes the campaign being launched by the Local Government Association to ensure that the national concessionary fares scheme is fully funded by central government grant at individual local authority level.
Council further notes that in the case of the City of York Council for 2009/10 the difference, between the government grant announced for concessionary fares and the actual cost, could be as much as £1 million.
Council resolves to support the LGA campaign and instructs the Chief Executive to write to the LGA, together with the City’s 4 MPs, with details of the potential impact of the grant settlement on the City, its Council Tax level and public service standards.”
(ii) From Cllr Lookder
Council notes that:
· The Barbican auditorium has failed to hold any entertainment events since the agreement was entered into with Absolute Leisure and in fact has lost significant contracts such as the UK Snooker Championships, which had been such a successful part of the York scene, and a number of potential conference opportunities.
· There is still no start date for the proposed alterations and adaptations to the auditorium, which have received planning permission, and so consequently no clear idea as to when the venue will re-open for business.
· When the economic outlook is uncertain, it is imperative that the city maximises its opportunities for a wide variety of business opportunities and the loss of conference income and major entertainment events income are making York a less and less attractive destination for visitors and business clients.
· The building is falling into disrepair and is rapidly becoming a major eyesore both for residents and visitors to the city.
· Absolute Leisure has failed to meet set deadlines for the proposed refurbishment and the £3m deposit required to fulfill this.
Council recognises that:
· the current Liberal Democrat administration has failed to provide York residents with an entertainments programme as befits a city such as York.
Council recommends:
· That the Executive be requested to instruct Officers to cease all negotiations with Absolute Leisure and seek a new solution for the auditorium.
Council invites the Leader of the Council to take responsibility for this project and provide a written progress report at all future Full Council meetings until the Barbican Auditorium is in full operational usage.”
(iii) From Cllr D’Agorne
“Council notes:
i) That it is now over 5 years since the closure of the Barbican, resulting in the loss of sports and swimming facilities in the area and the departure of the UK Snooker Championship from the city.
ii) That Absolute Leisure has failed to comply with the legal agreement with the council by the deadline, meaning that the future of the auditorium is now in jeopardy, with further delay before it is brought back into public use.
Council condemns the repeated delays to the project and calls for the Executive to undertake an urgent thorough review of all options now open to the Council. This should include a re-examination of the potential for creating a trust to deliver sports, leisure facilities, entertainment and community use on the site.”
(iv) From Cllr Scott
“The City of York has two rivers and a number of other water courses, yet currently only has 2 public swimming pools with a total of only 12 swimming lanes for a population of over 186,000 people.
Council notes that:
· The Liberal Democrat administration promised a replacement pool for the Barbican.
· No site or funding so far have been identified for the third new city centre pool as agreed by Council.
· There has no planning permission, proposed start date for construction or opening date for that replacement pool.
· The city is devoid of council provided city centre leisure facilities.
Council recognises that:
· The current Liberal Democrat administration has failed to provided leisure facilities in the city.
· The City of York is already short of swimming facilities in the city and that the proportion of swimming lanes to residents is set to further deteriorate in future years as set out in recent council reports
Council calls on the Leader of the Council to report at all future Full Council meetings until public swimming provision has been replaced.”
(v) From Cllr Sue Galloway
“Council notes attempts by the Government to impose an average rent increase of 7.7% on Council tenants in the city for 2009/10 in order to reach rent convergence in 2011/12.
Council notes that it is now proposed that the convergence deadline is extended to 2023/24 (for 1 year only). Even with this extended deadline council rents in York would increase by an average 6% causing further potential financial pressures for those who do not qualify for rent rebates.
Council therefore calls for the end point for the convergence of Council rents to be further extended, to take account of the current economic situation and to give tenants more time to adjust their household budgets, and instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State accordingly.”
Minutes:
(i) National Concessionary Fares Scheme
It was moved by Cllr Steve Galloway and seconded by Cllr Reid that:
“Council notes the campaign being launched by the Local Government Association to ensure that the national concessionary fares scheme is fully funded by central government grant at individual local authority level.
Council further notes that in the case of the City of York Council for 2009/10 the difference, between the government grant announced for concessionary fares and the actual cost, could be as much as £1 million.
Council resolves to support the LGA campaign and instructs the Chief Executive to write to the LGA, together with the City’s 4 MPs, with details of the potential impact of the grant settlement on the City, its Council Tax level and public service standards.” 1
Cllr Potter then moved, and Cllr Bowgett seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:
“In line 1 after the word ‘Council’, insert the following words: ‘welcomes the concessionary bus fare scheme that allows residents in York to have free bus travel and ….. to continue ‘notes the campaign etc’.
Delete the second paragraph and replace with the following:
‘Council also notes that in 2003/05 £560k was received from central government for half price concessionary bus fares for older people. Council welcomes the additional £863k in 2006/07, £1,112k in 2008/09 and £1,975k in the next financial year for the very popular and extremely well used concessionary free bus travel for older people.’
In the third paragraph, after the words ‘City’s 4 MPs’, delete all and replace with the following:
‘to explain the unintended consequences of the scheme in those local authorities that are tourist destinations outlining the increased costs incurred due to increasing numbers of non- residents use of local bus services and requesting that the method of distribution be reviewed to ensure that the resource available is redistributed to address this situation’.”
On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.
The original motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and it was
RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion be approved. 1
(ii) The Barbican Auditorium
It was moved by Cllr Looker and seconded by Cllr Crisp that:
“Council notes that:
· The Barbican auditorium has failed to hold any entertainment events since the agreement was entered into with Absolute Leisure and in fact has lost significant contracts such as the UK Snooker Championships, which had been such a successful part of the York scene, and a number of potential conference opportunities.
· There is still no start date for the proposed alterations and adaptations to the auditorium, which have received planning permission, and so consequently no clear idea as to when the venue will re-open for business.
· When the economic outlook is uncertain, it is imperative that the city maximises its opportunities for a wide variety of business opportunities and the loss of conference income and major entertainment events income are making York a less and less attractive destination for visitors and business clients.
· The building is falling into disrepair and is rapidly becoming a major eyesore both for residents and visitors to the city.
· Absolute Leisure has failed to meet set deadlines for the proposed refurbishment and the £3m deposit required to fulfill this.
Council recognises that:
· the current Liberal Democrat administration has failed to provide York residents with an entertainments programme as befits a city such as York.
Council recommends:
· That the Executive be requested to instruct Officers to cease all negotiations with Absolute Leisure and seek a new solution for the auditorium.2
Council invites the Leader of the Council to take responsibility for this project and provide a written progress report at all future Full Council meetings until the Barbican Auditorium is in full operational usage.” 2
Cllr Vassie then moved, and Cllr Orrell seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:
“At the end of the first bullet point, delete the words ‘and a number of potential conference opportunities’.
Delete the second bullet point and replace with the following:
· ‘Absolute Leisure has failed to meet set deadlines for the proposed refurbishment and the £3 million deposit required to fulfill this, and the council has terminated the contract with Absolute Leisure’
Delete the third bullet point and replace with the following:
· ‘When the economic outlook is uncertain, it is imperative that the city maximises its opportunities for a variety of business opportunities and entertainment events to make York an attractive destination for visitors and business clients’.
Delete the fourth bullet point and replace with the following:
· ‘The building needs to be brought into a serviceable condition so that it can be used for holding events.’
Delete the paragraphs headed ‘Council recognises that etc’ and Council recommends that etc ……’”
On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.
The original motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and it was
RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion be approved. 2
The guillotine fell at 10:05 pm and all the remaining business requiring a vote was moved, seconded and voted upon without debate.
(iii) The Barbican
It was moved by Cllr D’Agorne and seconded by Cllr Taylor that:
“Council notes:
i) That it is now over 5 years since the closure of the Barbican, resulting in the loss of sports and swimming facilities in the area and the departure of the UK Snooker Championship from the city.
ii) That Absolute Leisure has failed to comply with the legal agreement with the council by the deadline, meaning that the future of the auditorium is now in jeopardy, with further delay before it is brought back into public use.
Council condemns the repeated delays to the project and calls for the Executive to undertake an urgent thorough review of all options now open to the Council. This should include a re-examination of the potential for creating a trust to deliver sports, leisure facilities, entertainment and community use on the site.”
On being put to the vote, the motion was declared LOST and it was
RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion not be approved.
(iv) Provision of Swimming Facilites
It was moved by Cllr Scott and seconded by Cllr King that:
“The City of York has two rivers and a number of other water courses, yet currently only has 2 public swimming pools with a total of only 12 swimming lanes for a population of over 186,000 people.
Council notes that:
· The Liberal Democrat administration promised a replacement pool for the Barbican.
· No site or funding so far have been identified for the third new city centre pool as agreed by Council.
· There has no planning permission, proposed start date for construction or opening date for that replacement pool.
· The city is devoid of council provided city centre leisure facilities.
Council recognises that:
· The current Liberal Democrat administration has failed to provided leisure facilities in the city.
· The City of York is already short of swimming facilities in the city and that the proportion of swimming lanes to residents is set to further deteriorate in future years as set out in recent council reports
Council calls on the Leader of the Council to report at all future Full Council meetings until public swimming provision has been replaced.”3
Cllr Vassie then moved, and Cllr Orrell seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:
“After the words ‘water courses in line 1, delete the rest and replace with the following:
‘… and a variety of swimming pools, including Yearsley Pool, Edmund Wilson, Water World and other a variety of other pools.
Council notes that:
· The Liberal Democrats have been working with York University to advance plans for a replacement pool to the Barbican
Council recognises that:
· The Liberal Democrat administration has invested in upgrading Yearsley Pool, greatly improving its energy efficiency, leading to considerable savings to the public purse, and that the revamped pool has welcomed a considerable increase in visitor numbers.
· The Liberal Democrat administration has commissioned the construction of a new public pool by the Oakland Schools site and that this project is on schedule for completion in the autumn of this year, replacing the aging Edmund Wilson Pool
· A history of under-funding by the previous Labour administration, including a Labour the plan to close Yearsley Pool altogether, has meant that the Liberal Democrat administration has had to show real commitment to preserve the future of swimming provision in this city.
Council calls on the Leader of the Council to report at all future Full Council meetings the progress on completing the new pool at York High and the progress on plans to build a new pool with the university on Campus Three.’”
On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.
The original motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and it was
RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion be approved. 3
(v) Council Rent Increases
It was moved by Cllr Sue Galloway and seconded by Cllr Morley that:
“Council notes attempts by the Government to impose an average rent increase of 7.7% on Council tenants in the city for 2009/10 in order to reach rent convergence in 2011/12.
Council notes that it is now proposed that the convergence deadline is extended to 2023/24 (for 1 year only). Even with this extended deadline council rents in York would increase by an average 6% causing further potential financial pressures for those who do not qualify for rent rebates.
Council therefore calls for the end point for the convergence of Council rents to be further extended, to take account of the current economic situation and to give tenants more time to adjust their household budgets, and instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State accordingly.”4
Cllr Simpson-Laing then moved, and Cllr Horton seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:
“In line 1 above, after the words ‘Council notes’ insert ‘that Government recognised that Housing Association Tenants could pay up to 50% more rent than those in Council owned properties. To address this Government introduced a single formula for all social landlords in England which was introduced in April 2002 so that convergence could be reached by 2012. Change was to be made over a period of at least 10 years, be gradual and that in any one year weekly rent could not increase by more than the rate of inflation plus 0.5% plus £2 and that maximum 'caps' on formula were set’.
Then, start a new paragraph and continue but delete the words ‘Council notes attempts by the Government to impose’ and replace with Council understands that for CYC to stay online for convergence, using those rules, that….After the words ‘average rent increase of 7.7%’, delete the word ‘on’ and replace with the words ‘would be required of’ . In line 3 of the same paragraph, after the word ‘reach’, insert the words ‘the original date of ‘ . Finally in this paragraph, add at the end these words ‘and that this would break capping levels’.
In the second paragraph of the above motion, after the words ‘Council notes that …..’, insert ‘the Government has recognised difficulties with the formula due to the inflation rate setting date of September 2008 and will allow Councils to reduce this years increase resulting in the final convergence end date being increased by 10 years to 2023/24’ Then, delete the words from ‘it is now proposed that’ ….upto and including ‘Even with’ and replace with ‘However Council accepts that under current policy’ . Then, after the words ‘extended deadline’, delete the words ‘Council rents in York’. In the same line, after the word ‘increase’, insert the words ‘York rents’. Next, after the words ‘average 6% , insert the words ‘this year and could cause’ and delete the words ‘causing further’.
Next, insert the following new paragraph:
‘Council recognises that the Government is looking at the issue of rent convergence and 'pre-set guideline rent increases' as part of the 'Handling of the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Determination 2009-1- and 2010-11 Consultation' which is due to Report in April 2009 and that CYC has made a submission to as part of the Northern Housing Consortium.’
Then, delete the final paragraph in the above motion, in full and replace with ‘Council requests the Chief Executive write to the Secretary of State and asks that a further and late submission is accepted from the City of York Council requesting that:
· the convergence formulas 'September' calculation date is reviewed, due to the high inflation spike of September 2008 which has caused an anomaly in the 09/10 formula,
· a maximum ceiling is put on the formulas inflation percentage increase of 3% and that this is done in conjunction with changes to the rules
· the end point for the convergence of Council rents be continued to be looked at on a yearly basis so as to take account of economic situations and to ensure that in any one year tenants do not receive excessive rent increases.’ “
On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.
The original motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and it was
RESOLVED: That the above notice of motion be approved.4