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 14 December 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 five registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that three Members of Council had also requested to speak on items, details of which are set out below:

Matter within the remit of the Committee

Brian Watson referred to points he’d raised at a previous Executive meeting regarding the Community Stadium. He also queried a number of additional points relating to the Stadium, including details of the A1 planning consent, the leases and size of units and possible conflict between the refreshment offers proposed at the site.

York Central and Access Project

Stephen Hind, from Network Rail, expressed his support for the development of the York Central site. He referred to the challenges the site posed and to Network Rails investment in the site with the opening of the railway operating centre, the largest in the country, adjacent to the railway station. He asked Members to support the development going forward to bring new infrastructure to the site which was crucial to the city’s economy.

Paul Kirkman, Director of the National Railway Museum, also spoke in support of the proposals confirming that the development would transform the Museum and provide a much needed facelift, putting the Museum at the heart of the city centre, increase footfall and economic benefits to the city.

Dilys Jones, representing the Homes and Communities Agency referred to the Agencies  work to align investment and funding opportunities for both public and private partners to provide high quality homes and meet the employment needs of areas in a sustainable way. She referred to their work to bring forward and transform the brown field York Central site.

Councillor Levene spoke to welcome the progress made and to express the Labour Groups support for the proposals. He highlighted the need for strong partnership working which they felt would be important in order to achieve the ambitions for the area. He did however raise concerns that the site should not provide high density homes at the expense of family housing and office space.

Cllr Kramm referred to the exciting opportunities the York Central site offered. He asked however that further consideration should be given to school places, air pollution in the Holgate and Leeman Road areas, promotion of a car free development, accessibility for vulnerable groups and a business case for a tram train.

Council Tax Support – Consultation Decision Report

Susan Wood, representing Advice York, spoke in respect of the consultation results, referring to the strong public support in relation to changes to the Council’s Council Tax Support scheme. She requested Members to reconsider the support and reduce the level they charged to customers from 30% to 17% by increasing the cap to 83% to help struggling residents.

Councillor Neil Barnes thanked Officers for their work in relation to the consultation and the detailed report. He highlighted that his recent motion to Council had made changes to the scheme and the Council’s budget possible. He also questioned the reasons for not supporting the 17% level requested by Advice York.