Agenda item
Questions to the Executive Leader and Executive Members received under Standing Order 10(c)
To deal with the following questions to the Executive Leader or other Executive Members in accordance with Standing 10(a):
Executive Member for City Strategy
From Cllr Aspden:
“Given the changes to the bus services serving the Fordlands Road area in Fulford, will the Executive Member for City Strategy reconsider the provision of a pedestrian refuge at the junction with Main Street as soon as possible, on the basis that a safe crossing point is needed to allow residents to access the bus stops and local shops?”
From Cllr Simpson-Laing:
Will the Executive Member confirm passenger numbers for the 'ftr' on a monthly basis since May 2006 and compare those with the same period for route No4 in 2005?
From Cllr Simpson-Laing:
Will the Executive Member explain why there are continuing problems with reliability of the 'ftr' service and timing, given the concept was meant to overcome boarding delays, and can she confirm whether an additional bus has been added into the 'ftr' service schedules?
From Cllr King:
Could the Executive Member report on the number of complaints/incidents in relation to trips and falls related to the`'ftr' since May 2006?
From Cllr Looker:
Will the Executive Member explain why there was such a delay in brining forward the alteration to the Section 106 agreement for the Barbican, and who was responsible?
From Cllr Scott:
Given the figures required for York's housing needs, particularly in relation to Affordable Housing, as published in the Fordham Reserach Document of June 2006, is the Executive Member now seeking higher housing projections for York through the Regional Spatial Strategy Inquiry.
From Cllr D’Agorne:
How much has been spent on preparing the council bid for waste PFI to date (including consultants fees and officer time) and how much is projected for the current year?
Executive Member for Housing
From Cllr Potter:
What level of staff support (including fte time allocations) are residents associations now receiving from the Neighbourhood Pride unit compared to that previously received from Community Services and when will the SLA between Housing and Neighbourhood Services finally be agreed?
From Cllr Merrett:
Would the Executive Member advise how many affordable properties for sale have been agreed in section 106 agreements for housing developments completed to date, how many of these properties were successfully sold to persons from the York Housing waiting lists, whether any remained unsold and what happened to those (including a breakdown by property type & bedroom number & price, and how the sale of theses properties is monitored, including subsequent resales)
Executive Member for Corporate Services
From Cllr Looker
Can the Executive Member explain what he is doing to bring the procurement strategy back on track by meeting the savings targets?
What percentage of staff appraisals have now been completed in the Resources Department?
What is the Executive Member doing to ensure that the Property Services overspend is being managed and brought back within budget?
Executive Member for Neighbourhoods
From Cllr Moore
Would the Executive Member report what cuts have had to be made to the 2006/7 Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee capital and revenue budgets?
From Cllr D’Agorne
When will residents of Fishergate be given the opportunity to have kerbside cardboard collection for recycling?
When will residents in terraced streets and blocks of flats be included in kerbside or other door to door recycling collection systems?
Executive Member for Children’s Services
From Cllr Bradley
Given the national concern about Key Stage 2 English results across the country, would the Executive Member for Children's Services like to comment on the standards achieved in York, particularly those achieved by boys?
Executive Member for Leisure & Culture
From Cllr D’Agorne
When does he now expect the Barbican deal to be signed?
Minutes:
In accordance with Standing Order 10 (c) (1) the following questions were put and responses given:
(i) From Councillor Aspden to the Executive Member for City Strategy
“Given the changes to the bus services serving the Fordlands Road in Fulford, will the Executive Member for City Strategy reconsider the provision of a pedestrian refuge at the junction with Main Street as soon as possible, on the basis that a safe crossing point is needed to allow residents to access the bus stops and local shops?”
The Executive Member replied:
“I have already recognised the increased need for a pedestrian refuge in this location and provision is made in this year’s capital programme. Work has started on the design of the refuge and it is intended to have it in place as soon as possible.
In response to a supplementary question about the likely timescale for this work the Executive Member replied:
“There will be a report to the City Strategy EMAP meeting in December.”
In response to a supplementary question on the consideration of proposals for a pedestrian refuge at this site by the East Area Planning Sub-Committee two years ago, the Executive Member replied:
“Yes, the Sub-Committee did consider this and the proposals were refused. I do not know who voted which way on the proposals.”
(ii) From Councillor Simpson-Laing to the Executive Member for City Strategy
“Will the Executive Member confirm passenger numbers for the ‘ftr’ on a monthly basis since May 2006 and compare those with the same period for route no. 4 in 2005?”
The Executive Member replied:
“Information in this format is commercially sensitive for First as a private business operating within the City. Under current legislation the Council has no powers to require this information to be made public.”
She then responded to supplementaries regarding the Annual Best Value Performance Plan report and the nature of the major capital investment involved.
(iii) From Councillor Simpson-Laing to the Executive Member for City Strategy:
The following registered question was not formally put at the meeting:
“Will the Executive Member explain why there are continuing problems with reliability of the ‘ftr’ service and timing, given the concept was meant to overcome boarding delays, and can she confirm whether an additional bus has been added into the ‘ftr’ service schedules?”
(iv) From Councillor King to the Executive Member for City Strategy
“Could the Executive Member report on the number of complaints / incidents in relation to trips and falls related to the ‘ftr’ since May 2006?”
The Executive Member replied:
“This information is not held by City of York Council and is not information that we receive through partnership arrangements. The Member will need to seek the information from First York but I understand that they are not obliged to make such detail available.”
In response to a supplementary question on whether a monthly or quarterly report on these incidents could be obtained, the Executive Member replied:
“This would be up to First York, as the holders of information on all their services.”
(v) From Councillor Looker to the Executive Member for City Strategy
“Will the Executive Member explain why there was such a delay in bringing forward the alteration to the Section 106 agreement for the Barbican, and who was responsible?”
The Executive Member replied:
“As far as Development Control is concerned, there was no delay. The application was received on the 16th August, 600 letters were delivered and a site notice posted on the 18th August. The application was determined at the first available planning meeting on the 28th September.”
She then responded to supplementaries regarding reasons for the delay.
(vi) From Councillor Scott to the Executive Member for City Strategy
“Given the figures required for York’s housing needs, particularly in relation to Affordable Housing, as published in the Fordham Research Document of June 2006, is the Executive Member now seeking higher housing projections for York through the Regional Spatial Strategy Inquiry?”
The Executive Member replied:
“The report that Cllr Scott refers to makes it clear that it reflects ‘unconstrained demand’, stressing in paragraph 13.9 that ‘it does not suggest that the draft RSS figure is incorrect…The demand for new housing in York needs to be considered against a whole range of significant issues and policy implications which will be subject to comprehensive and statutory consultation and progressed through an accountable decision-making body.’ Paragraph 13.10 states that ‘there are strong environmental constraints and these need to be taken seriously’.”
In response to a supplementary question asking why research was undertaken into housing needs if the advice was then ignored, the Executive Member replied:
“The advice has not been ignored. Further consultation is being carried out and the results will be reported back.”
(vii) From Councillor D’Agorne to the Executive Member for City Strategy
“How much has been spent on preparing the Council bid for waste PFI to date (including consultants’ fees and Officer time) and how much is projected for the current year?”
The Executive Member replied:
“In 2005/06 it was £165k and the figure for 2006/07 is projected to be £170k”.
In response to a supplementary question asking whether any money had been spent on an exit strategy, the Executive Member replied:
“No.”
(viii) From Councillor Potter to the Executive Member for Housing
“What level of staff support (including fte time allocations) are residents’ associations now receiving from the Neighbourhood Pride Unit (NPU) compared to that previously received from Community Services, and when will the SLA between Housing and Neighbourhood Services finally be agreed?”
The Executive Member replied:
“Portfolio responsibility for the NPU rests with the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods. However, I understand that the NPU are providing significant support for residents’ associations. Since January 2006, 24 individual training sessions have been completed by members of RAs, with more planned. The Federation of Residents’ Associations meets monthly and the Compact meets quarterly. A new Compact is being drafted and a new constitution for the Federation is in the final stages of completion. The SLA has been superseded by a Mature Partnership Agreement.”
She then responded to supplementary questions on the level of HRA funding provided to the NPU and the services bought by this funding, the Executive Member replied.
(ix) From Councillor Merrett to the Executive Member for Housing
“Would the Executive Member advise:
a) how many affordable properties for sale have been agreed in Section 106 Agreements for housing developments completed to date;
b) how many of these properties were successfully sold to persons from the York Housing waiting lists, whether any remain unsold and what happened to those (including a breakdown by property type and bedroom number and price and how the sale of these properties is monitored, including subsequent re-sales.)”
The Executive Member replied:
“As the Member will be aware, the responsibility for Planning issues – including Section 106 Agreements – rests with the Executive Member for City Strategy. However, Officers have provided the following information which may be of assistance to him:
a) Affordable homes for sale on S106 sites completed and sold between 1/4/2002 and 31/3/2006 = 83. Affordable homes for sale on S106 sites anticipated to be completed and sold between 1/4/2006 and 31/3/2007 = 12.
b) All were successfully sold to waiting list applicants. It should be borne in mind that, prior to 2004, all those applicants for affordable sale homes had to be registered on the York Waiting List (this was the same list as for rented properties). Since 2004 the Council has held a separate Affordable Housing Waiting List for those wanting to pursue the sale option – households can be registered on both lists. Applications for both lists use the same form. From the Autumn there will be a consolidated list on SX3 within which will be the separate registers.
c) As far as I am aware there haven’t been any instances where affordable homes have been returned to developers and then sold on the open market.”
(x) From Councillor Looker to the Executive Member for Corporate Services
“Can the Executive Member explain what he is doing to bring the procurement strategy back on track by meeting the savings targets?”
The Executive Member replied:
“The share of any procurement saving which is credited to the corporate savings pot is calculated using a formula which recognises the contribution of the Corporate Procurement Team. Long term sickness currently being experienced in the Corporate Procurement Team will make it difficult to meet the target this year. This situation will be addressed in the near future.”
He then responded to a supplementary question regarding the end of year target.
(xi) From Councillor Looker to the Executive Member for Corporate Services
“What percentage of staff appraisals have now been completed in the Resources department?”
The Executive Member replied:
“The Resources Directorate has completed 15% of appraisals so far this year.”
In response to a supplementary question as to whether the department was on track to meet its targets in this area, the Executive Member replied:
“There is no reason that the 100% target cannot be met by the end of the yearly cycle for appraisals.”
(xii) From Councillor Looker to the Executive Member for Corporate Services
“What is the Executive Member doing to ensure that the Property Services overspend is being managed and brought back within budget?”
The Executive Member replied:
“I have asked Officers to identify the causes and review the options. This work is ongoing.”
In response to a supplementary question asking whether it would be helpful to look at introducing short-term licensing agreements to get extra revenue from properties that had been empty for a long time, the Executive Member replied:
“Ye, I am always open to helpful suggestions and will ask Officers to look into this.”
(xiii) From Councillor Moore to the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services
“Would the Executive Member report what cuts have had to be made to the 2006/07 Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee capital and revenue budgets?”
The Executive Member replied:
“The budget has suffered severe reductions amounting to a £6 million reduction in capital expenditure due to overspending on Coastal Defence Work. The Committee has also been told that it must reduce its revenue budget mid-year by £1.126 million due to the £200 million overspend by DEFRA via the Rural Payments Agency. This is likely to include a delay in Catchment Flood Plans, cut backs on improvements to flood warning and emergency response services, reductions in work to flood risk mapping, a suspension of planned pre-feasibility work, a reduction in contribution to Inland Drainage Boards for upland water projects, and cut backs in maintenance. The Business Plan for the year has also been reduced by £2.992 million due to claw back of the ‘over-programming’ budget.”
(xiv) From Councillor D’Agorne to the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services
“When will residents of Fishergate be given the opportunity to have kerbside cardboard collection for recycling?”
The Executive Member replied:
“There are approximately 30 properties on Fishergate which would be included within a further roll out of recycling to terraced areas.”
(xv) From Councillor D’Agorne to the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services
“When will residents in terraced areas and blocks of flats be included in kerbside or other door to door recycling collection schemes?”
The Executive Member replied:
“Inclusion of terraced streets and blocks of flats has been ongoing since 2003. However, some areas of the City had been reserved to allow the expansion of the St Nicholas Field scheme. Any further expansion of recycling to terraced properties from the current position will require substantial investment in new vehicles and equipment. This is dependent on securing further sustainable funding from central government. I myself have written to the Minister to make this point, and I understand that the Leader of the Council has raised this issue with one of the local MPs.”
(xv) From Councillor Bradley to the Executive Member for Children’s Services
“Given the national concern about Key Stage 2 English results across the country, would the Executive Member for Children’s Services like to comment on the standards achieved in York, particularly those achieved by boys?”
The Executive Member replied:
“Concern has been expressed nationally that standards are falling at Key Stage 2, the top end of the Primary School, which lays the basis for the vital years of secondary schooling. The government has said work needs to be done to raise those standards, but I am pleased to tell Members that, here in York, things are different. Standards are rising at Key Stage 2, and the gap is narrowing between those living in the more deprived areas of the City and those who are the least deprived.
It is good to report that there has been a rise in standards at Key Stage 2 this year. There has been the best every performance in both English and Maths with 37% of pupils achieving at the highest level, Level 5, well above average. There is a welcome narrowing of the gap between pupils in different areas of the City and a big improvement in standards of writing; again, well above the national average.
I am particularly pleased to be able to report that boys in York have had their best year ever in the standards they have achieved in English. Their results are 4% above the national average, with 78% achieving at Level 4, and the gap between the achievement of boys and girls is reducing, especially in writing.
It is a tribute to the hard work of staff and students with strong support and guidance from Officers in Children’s Services and they deserve our thanks and congratulations. York often bucks the national trend and this is yet another success for the authority.”
(xvi) From Councillor D’Agorne to the Executive Member for Leisure and Culture
“When does he now expect the Barbican deal to be signed?”
The Executive Member replied:
“I am not able to say when the contract will be signed. We will proceed with all speed.”
In response to a supplementary question seeking clarification of this answer, the Executive Member replied:
“As soon as possible.”