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 10 February 2016.  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 seven registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, and that three Members of Council had requested to speak on the following items:

Forward Plan

Andrea Dudding representing Unison referred to the proposed operating model for the prevention and early intervention services, listed on the forward plan for the 17 March Executive meeting and confirmed their reassurance regarding consultation on this issue. 

Additional Primary School Places for Southbank

Richard Ludlow spoke as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ebor Academy Trust in relation to their proposals for a Creative Arts Academy for primary education on the former Tadcaster Road Park and Ride site.

Hudda Morgan spoke as the parent of two children enquiring if expansion of the existing Scarcroft School site could be considered as an additional option as she felt the interaction between pupils in different year groups would be lost with the split site option.

Juliet Bray spoke as a teacher and parent of two children at Scarcroft School. She also expressed support for expansion of the existing school site and concern at the suggested split site.

Evelyn Watson spoke as a resident of an apartment at the rear of the Millthorpe School site. She raised concerns at the option to build an annex on the Millthorpe site highlighting the issues of flooding, removal of trees and road safety and asked for these to be taken into account when considering the options.

Cllr Hayes thanked the Executive for the consultation already undertaken in relation to the options for the provision of additional places at Scarcroft School. However, he asked that every option should be fully considered, prior to a final decision being made.

Financial Strategy 2016/17 to 2020/21

Andrea Dudding confirmed that Unison’s comments had already been forwarded to the Executive. She expressed disappointment at the proposed Council Tax increase but support for the recent grant announcement the funds from which she hoped would be used to offset some of the proposed cuts to services.

Julie Crosby, spoke as the Deputy Chief Executive of the York Carers Centre, in relation to the cuts to public health and the effects these would have on the work of the Carers Centre.

Cllr Craghill confirmed that the comments of the Green Group had already been forwarded to the Executive, for their consideration. She also requested the use of the transitional grant to alleviate some of the proposed cuts. She highlighted cuts proposed to the review of the tree service and to the design and conservation team.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Prudential Indicators  for 2016/17 to 2020/21

David Judson spoke in relation to the Council’s investment policy. He requested Council to adopt a clear and robust strategy to ensure that the authority had no direct investment in any business that caused serious harm.

Cllr N Barnes, spoke as Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee in relation to discussion undertaken by the Committee in relation to ethical investments. In particular, to the differing opinions in relation to such investments, as set out in the draft minutes of the Audit & Governance Committee meeting held on 10 February 2016, circulated at the meeting. Although the Committee had recommended Executive to include an ethical statement the other option was for this to considered as a future scrutiny topic.