Agenda item

At this point in the meeting, any member of the public who has registered to address the Council, or to ask a Member of the Council a question, on a matter directly relevant to the business of the Council or the City, may do so. 

The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Wednesday 11 July 2012.

The Lord Mayor announced that 10 members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.

Margaret Silcock spoke in support of making York a ‘Frack Free Zone’. Details of the practice which involved the hydraulic fracturing of underground rock following the injection of millions of gallons of water and chemicals to release gas was described together with the resultant pollution and acid rain seen in the United States. Earth tremors on the Fylde in Lancashire had been reported as part of exploration undertaken in the UK and, she asked that, until it had been proven that no hazards existed from these undertakings that members took all measures possible to make York a ‘Frack Free Zone’.

Richard Briggs spoke in relation to the forthcoming Police Commissioner elections, particularly to the lack of information being provided for voters to enable them to make an informed decision. Any appointments made would have a profound affect on policing both locally and nationally so a central website was felt insufficient to inform residents. He requested members to support the inclusion of candidates’ information in ‘Your Voice’, provide details on the Council’s website one month prior to the election and to provide information to Town and Parish Council’s on the additional measures taken to provide accessibility to all.

Dianne Willcocks spoke as a ‘gay grandma’ in support of the final Council motion on equal marriage rights. She spoke of the joys same sex couples brought to people’s lives and the need to fight discrimination. She asked members to be bold and support the motion, together with the flying of the rainbow flag over the Mansion House on Saturday 21 July for the York Pride 2012 march showing the authority’s full support for equality and fairness throughout the city.

Dan Sidley also spoke, in his capacity as Chair of York Pride, in support of the motion on equal marriage rights. He requested members to support the motion to improve the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples and ending discrimination and allowing fairness and equality of human rights for all.

Colin Hall also spoke in favour of the motion and full equality for all residents. He confirmed his support for the previous speakers’ comments emphasising the importance of the rainbow flag and pointed out that this was a historic opportunity for the City of York Council to show their support and commitment for equality.

Katie Walker, Chair of the Youth Council, spoke in support of the petition, to be presented later in the meeting by Cllr Looker, for young people up to 18 years of age to use bus transport at weekends and during school holidays for a one pound fare. Transport was a key issue for young people, particularly the cost. She referred to low income families who were unable to support children who chose to stay on at school after 16 years of age and who were no longer eligible for a Yorzone card and having to pay full fares. Members were asked to support the petition particularly as this scheme was being implemented in other parts of North Yorkshire.

Peter Kay, of the York Economic Partnership, spoke in support of the Council motion to withdraw the LDF Core Strategy from the examination process and the production of a new Local Plan. He pointed out that part of the Economic Partnership’s role had been to press for adoption of the LDF and he stressed the importance of adoption of a plan to provide place shaping and certainty for the city. He asked that officers endeavour to have a new plan in place within the next 24/30 months to give the planning process certainty in the future.

Alan Smith, Chair of Fulford Parish Council, spoke in respect of a petition signed by Fulford residents to be submitted later in the meeting by the ward member. Detailed consultation was requested in respect of the Germany Beck development, which had received approval some five years ago. Residents were concerned that no recent consultation had taken place in particular in relation to flooding, traffic volumes and access concerns previously raised

Stephen Hodgson, Chair of Governors at Burnholme Community College spoke in relation to the proposed closure of the Burnholme Community College. He spoke of the constructive feedback received from the last Council meeting but at the absence of any significant debate. Reference was made to the College’s values and support of families together with some excellent results and to the damage done by myths and scaremongering. He understood the need to be realistic and paid tribute to staff and young people at the College as well as Mr Crosby Manor School Head for his support during the transition period.

Adrian Fisher, of Burnholme Parents’ Action Group spoke in support of the petition to be debated later in the evening against the proposed College closure. He spoke of the excellent education the College gave to young people preparing them for life and their future careers together with excellent community facilities for the area. Concern was expressed at logistical issues of travel for vulnerable children across the city with no plans yet in place for the satellite class. He expressed his disappointment at the haste in which the decisions had been taken in view of the support of the local community for the Colleges retention.