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 2 March 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 eight registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that four Members of Council had also requested to speak on items, details of which are set out below:

The Council’s Housing for Older People Programme

Dr Andrew Phillips, Deputy Chief Clinical Officer for the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group spoke to endorse the programme outlined in the report and their alignment with health sector proposals for older people. He expressed his support for the new approach and the provision of a care hub which would provide the solution to a number of problems.

George Wood, representing York Older People’s Assembly spoke of earlier work undertaken by the Council in respect of the Strategic review of council accommodation for the elderly. He expressed concerns that the authorities involvement in competitive dialog had prevented the Assembly being fully informed of progress. However he confirmed the Assemblies full support for the proposals and the need to progress work at the earliest possible date.

Kevin McAleese, as Chair of the York Housing Association, spoke of the Associations range of housing support services and to the issues arising from an ageing population. He expressed support for the commitment to independent living and the full range of provision of services on one site. He highlighted the need to engage with other organisations.

Luke Barnett, Chief Executive of York CVS, spoke to express concerns that the previous plans had not progressed however he looked forward to the involvement of services users and other organisations in co-commissioning.

Cllr Reid expressed concern at the abandonment of the four year procurement process owing to affordability. She asked Members to reject the report and to develop proposals for the former Lowfields School site as originally intended and to keep residents fully informed.

Cllr Warters requested Cabinet’s assurance that all the green field site and surrounding playing fields on the Burnholme site would be retained.

York Outer Ring Road Improvement Scheme

Cllr D’Agorne expressed concern that there had not been sufficient consultation regarding the proposed scheme. He highlighted the Local Transport Plan 2 and other policies regarding transport proposals’ indicating that work was undertaken on transport schemes at the expense of air quality.

Cllr Warters expressed support to a reference to Outer Ring Road ‘Changes’ rather than ‘Improvement’ as he felt recent works on the A1237 had not provided an improvement in traffic flow. He asked Members therefore to support Option 2 and suspend the scheme.

Report on Interim Evaluation of the Anti Social Behaviour Hub

Cllr Warters expressed concern that this report was being considered by Cabinet, prior to its consideration by the Community Safety Overview & Scrutiny Committee the following day.

Economic Infrastructure Fund

Adam Sinclair spoke as Chair of City Team York who were putting forward proposals for a Business Improvement District for the city centre. He highlighted progress made and to the engagement and cross party support already received. He asked Cabinet to endorse the recommendation which he hoped would improve the economy, increase inward investment and ensure that York remained a shopping destination.

Cllr Watson spoke to question details of references in the report, at paragraph 10 to ‘improvements to physical surroundings’. He referred to a possible conflict with the CYC’s festivals held in the city with the BID proposals referring to city wide promotional activities ie festivals etc.

Delivering Marketing, Culture, Tourism and Business Development – Make it York

Steve Brown spoke as Managing Director of Make it York, the new company set up to deliver marketing, culture, tourism and business development for the city which was due to start trading on 1 April 2015. He referred to the work and challenges overcome to meet the 1 April deadline. He confirmed that with the merger of staff from CYC, Science City York and Visit York in to the new organisation formal consultations and briefings had taken place regarding staff transfers.

Andrea Dudding, of UNISON spoke to express their concerns at staff’s lack of knowledge of the proposed Service Level Agreement for the new organisation and staffs new terms and conditions. She requested that CYC staff transferring to the new organisation should do so with the same terms and conditions including the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Recommendations of Local Plan Working Group – Wheldrake and Strensall Village Design Statements

Cllr Warters expressed his support for the Village Design Statements, but expressed the view that they were only effective if sufficient weight was given to them as part of the planning process. 

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

Dennis Martin, spoke as a representative of Dunnington Parish Council expressing the Parish Councils support for the Flood Risk Strategy. He asked Members to note issues in their village which was sited on a hillside which meant that water travelled through the whole village. Although attenuation measures had helped there had been an increase in the use of impervious paving by residents which he felt had exacerbated flooding problems. He highlighted the need to rectify this through the planning process and the requirement to submit planning applications.

Cllr Warters, on behalf of Cllr Richardson, referred to the Internal Drainage Boards and the need for byelaws to provide support to the CYC planning system.