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 23 September 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 one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that seven Members of Council has also requested to speak on items, details of which are set out below:

York Museums Trust Funding

Brian Watson expressed his concern at the attendance and sample figures in the report relating to the financial position of the Trust. He also expressed concern at the reference to unforeseen structural problems but not to the capital grants received by the Trust and asked the Committee to obtain further information prior to taking a decision on charging. 

Councillor Taylor presented a petition, containing 90 signatories, requesting the Council to allow free access to York Public Art Gallery. He referred to an additional online petition with the same request and to the lack of clarity and communication from the Museums Trust in relation to the proposed charges. He also thanked the Executive Member for his work in gaining free access for vulnerable residents however he felt that free access should be further extended.

Cllr Cuthbertson highlighted the Council membership of the Museum’s Trust and expressed concern at the handling of the charging issue. He pointed to the success of the Museum and adjacent gardens and the boost this provided for the visitor economy but acknowledged that high maintenance costs presented severe challenges. He therefore asked Members to support the recommendations.

Cllr Gunnell spoke to acknowledge the work of the Museum’s Trust over a number of years however she expressed concern regarding the charging arrangements and she reiterated earlier speakers comments regarding openness and transparency of the YMT’s plans.

Progress Report: City of York Trading Ltd

Councillor Rawlings spoke in his capacity as the Council representative on the City of York Trading Ltd. He referred to a review he had undertaken of the company in which he had found a well run body which had taken commercial opportunities and received excellent returns. He did however express concern at some of the governance arrangements which required further strengthening and to levels of profit related remuneration which he confirmed would be considered further by the Shareholders Board.

Park & Ride Bus Contact Options

Councillor Levene spoke to request the option of ultra low emission vehicles in the Park and Ride specification for the improvement of air quality in the city. He questioned the late evening operation time of the Park and Ride sites and requested the inclusion, as a core requirement, of a late service to support the early evening economy and expressed concern that no consultation had been undertaken with potential users of the service.

Draft Council Plan 2015-19: Report on the Consultation Exercise

Councillor Kramm, highlighted the pollution problems in the Micklegate Ward and to the effects on resident’s health. He requested Members to adopt a Transport Strategy in place of the Congestion Commission to respond to the Council’s duty of care to its citizens to improve air quality and pollution.

Councillor Craghill spoke of her concern at the lack of detail in the new Council Plan. She highlighted a number of good points for implementation and suggested that sustainability should underpin every decision taken by the authority. She also questioned the term front-line services and implementation detail.