Agenda item

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 Committee’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Friday 4 November 2016.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast or recorded and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts. or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council website following the meeting.

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/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

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

Mr Saf Din, representative of the taxi trade, spoke in respect of taxi licensing issues.  He asked the following questions:

·        What part of the Taxi Licensing Policy was changed to allow Uber to operate?

·        Why had the policy been changed?

·        What consultation had taken place on the change?

Mr Din also requested feedback on the findings following the taxi licensing enforcement that had taken place. 

Mr Din raised concerns regarding the public liability insurance implications in respect of cross boundary work and the difficulties in ascertaining whether drivers had the necessary insurance cover in place.  Members’ attention was also drawn to the Emissions Policy and the impact of increasing the number of vehicles coming into the city.

Mr Din requested that consideration be given to marshals being in place on Friday and Saturday nights at the three busiest ranks in the city – St Saviourgate, Duncombe Place and Rougier Street.

Mr Gary Graham, York Hackney Carriage Driver, sought clarification as to which part of the Taxi Licensing Policy had been changed to allow Uber into York.  He expressed his concerns that the consultation that had taken place had not been transparent, as taxi drivers had not been aware of the implications of the proposed change.  Mr Graham requested that further consultation be carried out on the changes that had been made to the policy.  He also raised concern regarding the insurance of out of town licensed vehicles and stated that he did not believe that their insurance covered hire and reward in York.

The Chair informed Mr Din and Mr Graham that they would receive a written response to the questions they had raised.  Copies of the response would also be circulated to Members of the committee.

Councillor Warters spoke in respect of agenda item 4 – City of York Council Community Governance Review.  He explained the reasons why Osbaldwick Parish Council had requested that the development of Derwenthorpe be removed from the parish area, including the historical background.  He also drew attention to the precept implications for Murton Parish Council. Councillor Warters stated that the Derwenthorpe development had been established as a model village and that parish councils should have no role to play in such estates and their residents should not be paying precepts.  Councillor Warters stated that Osbaldwick Parish Council had no desire to remove Meadlands from the parish area and that the Meadlands Residents Association had not been consulted on such a proposal.  Councillor Warters requested that Members deferred consultation on the options detailed in 3.12 of the report but carried out full consultation on the options detailed in 4.1 and 4.2 of the report. Consultation should also take place with Murton Parish Council.

Ms Virginia Shaw spoke in respect of agenda item 4 – City of York Council Community Governance Review.  She stated that residents in Derwenthorpe paid a monthly management fee which was considerably more than the £8.60 per annum parish precept.  She stated that it was not the case that the parish council did not provide services or infrastructure for residents of Derwenthorpe and gave the example of the play equipment.  Ms Shaw stated that it had been envisaged that the Derwenthorpe estate would be integrated and not be isolated from the other community.  She stated that she supported the option to consult on no change and on consulting to ward the parish.

The Chair stated that the comments of Councillor Warters and Ms Shaw would be considered under the relevant agenda item.