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 29 July 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/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetingspdf

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

General Remit

Cllr Warters thanked the Executive for their review of the 20mph rollout and signage. He also requested review of the use of the CCTV car in Murton Lane, Murton, highlighted concern at the costs of the Lendal Bridge/Coppergate repayment schemes and requested details of the agreement between York City Knights and the Council in relation to the Community Stadium project.

The Future of York’s Guildhall and Riverside – Project Update Report

Cllr Galvin reminded Members of the history and the importance of the Guildhall and its part in the governance of the city over 800 years. He expressed concern at proposals for a restaurant on the site and requested continuation of the historical link and the provision of fully serviced office accommodation for Council staff to ensure a sustainable future for the site. He also requested further examination of the proposals by scrutiny.

Coppergate Traffic Regulation Order Report

Kevin Ward spoke as a freelance consultant on transport matters; he highlighted some of the Chief Adjudicators findings in the report as incorrect as he considered that the Coppergate signage supported the enforcement of the Penalty Charge Notices.

City of York Local Plan

Alan Charlesworth spoke on behalf of the York Action Group Alliance which represented residents in 16 Outer Parishes to express their full support for the new administrations development of the Local Plan, in conjunction with residents. He circulated copies of their Local Plan Manifesto through which they hoped a realistic, achievable and sustainable Local Plan could be put forward.

Jacqueline Ridley spoke on behalf of the Earswick Action Group, adding their support to the production of a Local Plan using evidenced based housing figures. She confirmed that this also included the removal of safeguarded land, the use of brownfield sites first and protection of the green belt around Earswick.

Cllr N Barnes expressed his hope that the Local Plan could be completed within the required timeframe and expressed concern at the continued use of contingency funds.

Business Improvement District for York City Centre

Frank Wood spoke as a retailer, Chair of the York Retail Forum and member of the City Team Board to confirm their support for a Business Improvement District in the city centre. He asked Members to support the bid, referring to issues around declining footfall, parking, anti social behaviour, collection of waste and recycling which could all be assisted by the bid. He also referred to the need to extend the working day to attract both residents and visitors back to the city.

Adam Sinclair spoke as Managing Director of Mulberry Hall and Chair of the City York Team referring to the established formula of revitalising city’s across the country. He referred to existing problems in the city centre and to the need to compete with market competition. He hoped the bid would support both large  and small businesses and engage local traders.

Steve Hughes spoke as Project Manager of the City Team, he confirmed that, following reference to the Electoral Commission, it had been recommended that the proposed ballot of local businesses should take place between Monday 26 October and 26 November 2015. He also highlighted details of the BID Board membership which had two places for CYC representatives. He reiterated that, if York was to remain competitive, the BID funds were required to improve the city centre offer.

Cllr Cuthbertson, spoke as Chair of the Economic Development and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee which had discussed the BID proposals. He confirmed that copies of the Committee’s comments had been passed to the Executive. The Committee supported the BID team’s aims and raised a number of concerns regarding A-boards, P&R services, affect on non-levy paying businesses and BID Board membership.

Cllr N Barnes also expressed his support for the BID and its objectives.

Consultation on Decision Making Arrangements

Cllr Levene spoke as Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Management Policy and Scrutiny Committee which had been consulted on the new decision making arrangements. He confirmed that Members had welcomed proposals for pre-decision scrutiny, more frequent meetings subject to adequate resourcing, the inclusion of scrutiny Chairs at CSMC meetings and ensuring that Executive Member decision making was clear with scrutiny input at an early stage.

Listening to Residents: Ward Committees

Cllr Levene expressed his support for local decision making and accountability subject to this being via a robust process. He requested that the Community Care Fund, which it was proposed to devolve to wards, should be ring fenced for vulnerable residents.

Cllr N Barnes spoke as Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, urging members to be cautious and to take time to fully examine the proposals for a new approach to community engagement through the revised Ward Committees. He highlighted accountability, risks and affordability in respect of any future audit of the new approach.

Holiday Pay and Overtime

Andrea Dudding spoke on behalf of the Unions, GMB, Unison and Unite, which collectively represented Council staff. She raised concerns that the proposed calculation of holiday pay had been based on 20 statutory annual leave days rather than 28 and requested that, as this was a matter relating to terms and conditions, this should be negotiated. She pointed out that the proposals were detrimental to staff who were the Council’s best resource.

Annual Report of the Financial Inclusion Steering Group 2014/15

Richard Bridge spoke in relation to the Council Tax Scheme (CTS) and of his concerns at the effect recent changes to the Scheme were having on York’s poorest residents. He highlighted various publications including Advice York’s ‘Pushed into Poverty’ paper which confirmed that financially vulnerable residents now had to meet 30% of their council tax costs as opposed to the previous scheme which allowed up to 100% support. He therefore asked the Council to consult on new CTS which mirrored the cuts.

Rebecca Jeffrey representing Advice York also raised concerns at limiting CTS which meant that all working age residents would have to pay at least 30% CT when the average across the country was only 13%. She referred to research which confirmed that many residents struggled to pay their bills and difficulties they encountered in accessing the discretionary scheme. She requested Members to review its scheme.

Clare Guinam spoke as an Advice Session Supervisor at the Citizens Advice Bureau where she saw the difficulties residents faced in paying their CT, often from loans. She provided a number of quotations from client surveys which highlighted the difficulties local residents faced. She also asked the Council to review the existing scheme.