Agenda item

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 Monday 4 November 2013.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

It was reported that there had been five registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, and that three Members of Council had requested to speak on items, details of which are set out below. One of the registered speakers did not attend the meeting:

6. External Funding Scrutiny Review Final Report (Minute 57)

Cllr Steward raised concerns at the size of today’s Cabinet agenda which he felt would be difficult to discuss in any meaningful detail. 

He also made reference to the final report of the External Funding Scrutiny Review which he considered to have been too broad in scope.

9. 2013-14 Performance and Finance Mid Term (Qtr 2) Report (Minute 60)

Cllr Aspden spoke to express concern at the city centre footfall figures provided in the report and made a request for cross party action to bring the recycling rates back to earlier levels. Concern was also expressed at the timing of the end of green waste collections. 

12b. Delivering Marketing, Culture, Tourism and Business Development for the City of York (Minute 63b)

Jane Gibson, spoke as Chair of Visit York confirming the excellent work already undertaken by this body to support the marketing of the city. There was a need however to focus on the competition and address any duplication of effort. She expressed support for the development of a new agency with a partnership approach  and one voice to gain York’s market share internationally.

Andrea Dudding, representing Unison, expressed support for recent staff consultation on the proposals, confirming that a key element would be to identify what was required from staff who had an expert knowledge of the service. Disappointment was expressed that there was no resident buy in.

Cllr Aspden confirmed that whilst not against the proposals in the three reports related to attracting investment to the city, in principle, there was little detail provided in the reports so he was unable to support the suggested approaches at the present time.

13. Travellers Site Provision – Extension of Osbaldwick Site (Minute 69)

Cllr Steward made reference to the chairing of the Planning Committee meeting which had recently considered this planning application. Concerns were raised regarding a number of issues relating to the management of the site and of the need for this management prior to the site extension.

Phil Cain spoke as North Yorkshire Police representative, confirming that the Police were aware of the concerns of the local communities of Osbaldwick, Holtby and Murton in relation to crime and anti social behaviour in their area. He reiterated that the Police were working closely with these communities, local businesses and the Parish Councils to prepare an action plan to take steps aimed at reducing these concerns.

Steven Pittam spoke as a representative of the York Travellers Trust who had worked with the travelling community over a number of years. He expressed support for the proposed investment in the Osbaldwick site giving reasons why expansion was necessary. He acknowledged the problems that existed on site however investment would provide better facilities, management and relieve pressure on existing accommodation.

Cllr Warters expressed concern at the cost of extending this site whilst there were existing management problems. The support of the Housing and Communities Agency was questioned together with the rent levels and current arrears of site residents.

16. Creating a Multi-Agency approach to tacking Anti-Social Behaviour and Nuisance (Minute 66)

Andrea Dudding, spoke as a Unison representative, confirming that these proposals were of particular concern to staff. Concern was also expressed at the lack of consultation on the new approach which made it difficult to comment further . Reference was made to the ‘Supporting Transformation’ policy which required staff consultation prior to presentation of reports to committee. Although the report stated that there were no equalities issues this was disputed.