Agenda item

Public Participation

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak, regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the remit of the Working Group, may do so.  The deadline for registering is Friday 24 June 2016 at 5.00pm.

 

Filming or Recording Meetings

Please note this meeting may 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

Minutes:

It was reported that there had been six registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that one Member of Council had also registered to speak.

 

Mr Kit Bennett, member of Frack Free York, spoke in respect of the unconventional gas industry and the Joint Minerals and Waste Plan. He stated that Frack Free York was opposed to shale gas wells and urged Members to put in place conditions to protect residents from the worst effects of such developments, including the potential use of buffer zones.  He drew attention to issues in respect of traffic congestion and ground water pollution and stated that he was in support of the petition that would be presented by Councillor Kramm.

 

Mr Allan Charlesworth spoke on behalf of York Action Group Alliance.  He stated that the Local Plan – Preferred Sites 2016 document addressed many of the concerns that the Action Group had expressed about the previous plan, particularly in respect of the safeguarding of green belt and the need to protect the historic character and setting of York and retaining prime agricultural land.  The Group was pleased with the plan’s realism and the scaling back of the housing figures.  They believed that the plan provided an acceptable framework which now required public legitimacy.  It was hoped that this could be achieved through consensus rather than challenge.

 

Ms Helen Kettlebora spoke in respect of the Joint Minerals and Waste Plan.  She sought assurances from Members that they would take seriously the issue of shale gas extraction.

 

Mr Richard Barton, How Planning Consultants, spoke on behalf of Barwood Developments.  He stated that the Council was taking a high risk approach in reducing the housing requirement and was concerned about the approach in respect of safeguarded land and the robustness of the Council’s evidence base.  Mr Barton drew attention to information he had tabled regarding Moor Lane, Woodthorpe and stated why he believed that this was a suitable site for residential development.

 

Mr Eamonn Keogh spoke on behalf of York Property Forum – Chamber of Commerce.  He welcomed the publication of the next steps for the York Local Plan and stated that businesses needed the certainty that could be provided through a Local Plan. He stated that the Plan needed to ensure permanent green belt boundaries and have sufficient flexibility to reduce the risk of the Plan failing at examination.  He drew particular attention to the York Central site and ensuring that there was a match between employment demand and supply over the plan period.  He also drew attention to the potential opportunities presented by projects such as HS2 and HS3. He expressed concern about the absence of a strategy detailing how the city could take advantage of these opportunities.

 

Mr Brian Watson commented on the following matters:

·        He stated that he did not believe that residents should be encouraged to downsize unless this was for health reasons or because it was their personal choice.  

·        The relocation of staff to York through their employment was an issue that needed to be considered.

·        The universities in the city were growing and must be encouraged to increase their on-campus accommodation and play their part in the future of the city.

·        The issue of shops in the city centre being replaced by restaurants and drinking establishments also needed to be addressed.

 

Councillor Lars Kramm handed in a petition in respect of gas drilling sites which called on the Council to include the provision of buffer zones within in the Joint Waste and Mineral Plan for North Yorkshire.  Councillor Kramm also detailed issues in respect of waste water treatment which needed to be considered further in the development of the relevant policies in the Joint Waste and Minerals Plan.

 

Feedback
Back to the top of the page