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 Wednesday 24 June 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 six registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that three Members of Council has also requested to speak on items, details of which are set out below:

Matters within the remit of the Executive

Cllr Warters welcomed the new Executive Members and expressed support for their back to basic proposals outlined in their 12 point policy plan. In particular he highlighted suggestions for improvements to traffic congestion, bin collections and highway signage particularly that connected with the 20mph limits.

In relation to Cllr Warters suggestions in respect of 20mph zone signage, Cllr Aspden confirmed that one of the administration’s priorities across the city was a review of signage. In consultation with local residents he confirmed that a report had been requested setting out costs/legal implications etc of removing signage.

Disposal of Oliver House – former Elderly Person’s Home

Mark Havercroft, spoke as Chair of the York Green Party and expressed concern that the site would be used for a high quality retirement scheme, in comparison to the approach to York’s housing problems offered by the Yorspace scheme. He suggested that developers required leadership and that the city’s housing needs could not be left to market forces.

Christopher Watson spoke as Regional Land Director for McCarthy and Stone. He referred to a number of their elderly person’s developments around the city and to the demographic profile of York residents with the elderly population being above the national average. He pointed out that family housing was released when residents moved into their developments.

Cllr Hayes spoke in relation to the Oliver House proposals, registering his interest in relation to the Yorspace bid in which he had invested. He questioned details of the sale process, evaluation criteria, weightings and use of the capital receipt. He highlighted local housing requirements and need for the provision of low cost homes.

Condition of 17-21 Piccadilly

Alison Sinclair, spoke as a former employee of English Heritage, Chair of the Conservation Advisory Panel and as founder Chair of the York Open Forum Panel. She confirmed that Reynard’s bus garage had been one of their first nominations for inclusion in the List of Local Heritage Assets. She asked Members to secure the building and re-start discussions in relation to an Airspeed Museum, in line with earlier discussions with Elvington Air Museum and English Heritage.

Joshua Taylor expressed his concern at the proposed demolition of  the former Reynard’s building which he felt would lose the historical record. He said that, if repaired it could be used as valuable work space which he felt the city lacked and he asked members to support retention of the building. He referred to similar renovations carried out in similar warehouses in Sheffield, Edinburgh, Stratford and Utrecht and circulated before and after photographs of each.

John Gallery spoke, in a personal capacity, to support the retention of this important art deco building. He highlighted the buildings links with the air industry, stating  that the building would create further interest to visitors to the city and that there was a need for vision, courage and commitment to retain the building.

Cllr Taylor, as one of the Local Ward Members, also spoke in support of the retention of the building, providing York Quilt Museum as an example of preservation and reuse of an historic building. He referred to the buildings historic associations and its possible use by the Air Museum and asked the Executive to either gift the site to the Yorkshire Air Museum or enter into negotiations with them.

Andrea Dudding spoke in a personal capacity, to support the retention of the garage.

Draft Council Plan 2015-2019

Andrea Dudding, representing Unison, spoke to support the administration’s three key priorities. She confirmed that this included the Living Wage and she hoped that Unison’s ethical care charter would be adopted in relation to Adult Social Care.

Organisation Review – Senior Management Arrangements within the City of York Council

Andrea Dudding, spoke on behalf of Unison, requesting that staff views should be sought on future management arrangements, as with budget cuts, services could not continue as ‘business as usual’.

Procurement of Council Security Services

Andrea Dudding, speaking on behalf of Unison questioned the Council’s security requirements, information she felt was required prior to a decision being taken. She requested that consultation should be undertaken as part of a business review, particularly in relation to the CCTV service.