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 9 February 2015.  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.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

“Please note this meeting will be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

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 Officer (whose 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 http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

It was reported that there had been seven registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that seven Members of Council had also requested to speak on items, details of which are set out below:

A-boards Scrutiny Review – Final Report

Diane Roworth, spoke as Chief Officer on behalf of York Blind and Partially Sighted Society, reporting her first hand experience of incidents involving A-boards on footpaths in the city and highlighting the risks of liability. She asked Members to support Option D in the report, the introduction of a total ban on the use of A-boards.

Bob Towner, representing York Older People’s Assembly spoke to highlight the adverse impact of A-boards on the lives of the elderly, those with mobility issues and those with small children and prams. He requested a ban on the use of A-boards in the city and to give businesses the option to affix signs to their premises.

Tracy Dearing addressed the meeting on behalf of the Royal National Institute for the Blind and Partially Sighted (RNIB). She highlighted a recently published RNIB Campaign Report, ‘Who put that there!’ which referred to street furniture and praised the Task Groups report. She expressed support for a ban on A-boards with zero tolerance and referred to the authorities need to manage risks.

Sue Barnes-Wilson spoke as the owner of Gillies Fabrics in Peter Lane, York. She highlighted the importance of an A-board, for the advertisement of her business, situated down a narrow lane off Market Street. She confirmed that she employed a number of local staff and that without the board’s advertisement she expressed concerns at the viability of the business.

Cllr Taylor expressed support for the earlier speaker’s comments in relation to A-boards.

Cllr Watson also expressed his support for earlier speaker’s comments, referring to the growing concern at the increased use of A-boards around the city and the need for decisive action.

2014/15 Finance Monitor 3

Cllr Watson spoke to question a number of references in the report, particularly the additional costs of operating Waterworld and payments from the Delivery and Innovation Fund and to Greenwich Leisure Ltd.

Capital Programme – Monitor Three 2014/15

Cllr Watson also spoke to question references in Annex A, to this report, of funding for York Art Gallery Gardens, the York Museums Trust and the freehold for Stonebow House.

Financial Strategy 2015-2020

Stephen Pittam addressed the meeting on behalf of the York Travellers Trust, in respect of the Cabinet recommendation to increase rents for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites by 2.2%. He stated that the recommended rise was above the Retail Price Index and he questioned the legality of the increase, as prior consultation had not been undertaken.

Heather McKenzie spoke to represent UNISON, acknowledging the financial pressures the authority faced however she remained concerned at the use of outsourcing vehicles to delivery future services. She asked the Cabinet to look at the use of in-house services wherever possible and to continue meaningful discussions with staff to mitigate against cuts and support jobs and the local economy.

New Council House Building – Phase 2

Stewart Harrison, spoke as the Chair of Bishopthorpe Parish Council, in respect of the six bungalows proposed in Maple Avenue Bishopthorpe, as part of these proposals. He expressed concern at the loss of community open space and to the affect building would have on the privacy of adjacent properties. The development also required demolition of Vernon House, a well used community centre and launderette, and he requested Members to exclude this site from the proposals.

Cllr Galvin also spoke to highlight the importance of Vernon House to the social life of Bishopthorpe residents. Whilst understanding the need for additional Council homes he asked Cabinet to agree a balance, with the retention of Vernon House and the development of only two bungalows on the Maple Avenue site.  

Next Steps in Neighbourhood Working

Cllr Galvin spoke in relation to the proposed new ways of neighbourhood working. He expressed concern at the proposals, confirming that it would be difficult to undertake the proposals without a larger budget and pointing out that delivery would however have been possible under the previous system.

Cllr Reid referred to the disconnect between residents and the Council which had arisen from the policies of the current Council. With cuts to ward committees and frontline services, she felt that budgets and decision making should be more devolved.

A Congestion Commission for York

Cllr Warters spoke of his concern at the recompense suggested for independent experts appointed to explore the options to reduce traffic congestion in the city, particularly following the recent budget announcement of cuts to the Council’s workforce. He suggested that the decisions should remain with Officers of the Council and those who used the roads.

Cllr D’Agorne referred to the recent cuts in local bus services and to increases in fares and the effects on the network and service users. He also expressed his reservations regarding the chairing of the Commission and highlighted the need to examine the Council’s existing transport policies and the engagement of all stakeholders in the Commissions work.  The appointment of an alternative People’s Commission was suggested with cross party support but with arrangement following the May elections.

Cllr Taylor expressed his support for Cllr D’Agorne’s earlier comments in relation to proposals for the Congestion Commission.

Cllr Reid also spoke to express concern that if the proposals set out a new approach to congestion, that all Members should be involved in order to gain full cross party support. She questioned whether value for money would be achieved and requested Cabinet to review the range of options with the utilisation of previous transport studies.

Cllr Merrett spoke to welcome the proposals for a Commission with the scope outlined in the report. He highlighted the significant congestion challenge the city posed, pointing out that the costs needed to be considered in context with the work required. He asked that city centre businesses also required representation on the Commission as their buy in would be required.

Legible York Wayfinding Project

Cllr Taylor spoke of his concern at the costs associated with the wayfinding project. He highlighted the shortfall in budget for a scheme which was not fully supported by all stakeholders. He also requested further examination of the digital element of the proposals together with a full comparison of quotes following tendering.