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 25 January 2017.  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/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

It was reported that there had been thirteen registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, and that five Members of Council had also requested to speak.  The registrations were in respect of the following items:

Matters within the Remit of the Executive

Dave Merrett spoke in relation to the Park and Ride Service Operator Specification agreed by the Executive on 7 December 2016, which had since been called-in for discussion at the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee meeting on 3 January 2017. He expressed concern that that the Committee had not had access to important advice from the Council’s Public Protection team prior to taking their decision. He asked the Executive to reconsider their decision in the light of further advice received on the impact of not using ultra low emission vehicles.

Cllr Warters spoke in relation to the recommendations of the Protection of Grass Verges Scrutiny Review report which had been agreed at the Executive’s meeting on 24 November 2016. In particular he questioned the quality of the remedial works to verges in the Osbaldwick area, following the laying of cables.

Taxi Licensing Policy

Antony Green spoke as a Hackney Carriage Driver, regarding the lack of formal consultation on the decision taken in 2015 to remove the requirement for a telephone number to be included on the door sign and requested Members not to approve the recommended option for the policy.

Alan Davies spoke as Chair of the Independent Taxi Association to confirm their concerns as previously mentioned at the Licensing Hearing on 21 December 2016 for the renewal of a private vehicle operators license by Uber Britannia Ltd. He confirmed the presence of 60 low emission taxis in the city and requested the reinstatement of telephone numbers on taxis door signs for public safety and requested that any future changes to the taxi licensing policy should be undertaken in consultation with the trade.

Terry Stubbs spoke as a Director of Fleetways, expressing his views on the effects of the proposed changes on the trade and on the cities economy. He claimed standards were lowered by vehicles from outside York being able to trade in the City. He requested full consultation and debate on any future changes in policy.

Terry Osborne spoke as Treasurer of the York Private Hire Association and as a Streamline driver, also to request the reinstatement of telephone numbers on the side of private hire vehicles.

Cllr Crisp highlighted elected members’ duty to the city and its residents. She referred to the existing high standards in taxi licensing introduced to protect the city and its economy and to the number of staff required for enforcement. She requested the Executive to approve the option to make further amendments to the policy taking account of the representations and comments received.

Cllr Douglas, as Chair of the Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee confirmed the need to bring the policies and conditions into a formal document and she highlighted the lengthy discussion and consultation undertaken with trade members. She confirmed the need for inclusive local policies which did not discriminate and thanked the Licensing Manager and her team for their work in the production of the policy.

York Castle Gateway

Paul Hepworth spoke on behalf of Cycling UK, in support of proposals for a new Foss Cycle Bridge with appropriate levels of segregation and cycle underpass facilities of the Inner Ring Road at Castle Mills. He also spoke in support of a secure underground cycle parking carousel system known as Biceberg, photographs of which he circulated at the meeting.

Michael Woodward spoke as the Chief Operating Officer of the York Museum’s Trust, in support of the Officers’ recommendations for the York Castle Gateway and regeneration of the area. He welcomed the vision for the area and indicated that a partnership approach could assist in obtaining external funding.

York Castle Gateway and Clifford’s Tower Visitor Centre

Cllr Hayes spoke in support of the Castle Gateway and the vision for the future, in particular the relocation of the Castle car park. However he expressed concern at the proposed location of the Clifford’s Tower  Visitor Centre which he felt would detract from the Tower. He requested deferral of decision to sell the land to English Heritage pending the outcome of the Judicial Review into the planning decision, due in early May 2017. He requested public consultation on the sale and questioned the valuation of the land and incorporation of the visitor centre into the Castle Gateway scheme.

Cllr Craghill spoke as a Guildhall Ward Member to express her support for the regeneration of the area and the aims of the vision for the scheme. She expressed concerns however at the siting of the proposed visitor centre at the foot of Clifford’s Tower and requested the Executive to note public concerns and defer the sale of the land.

Philip Crowe spoke on behalf of York Tomorrow, a voluntary group, who had submitted a planning application in 2002 for the change of use of the Castle car park to public open space, as an alternative option at the Coppergate Public Inquiry. He confirmed that they welcomed the Council’s new initiative however their primary concern related to the composition of the Gateway Advisory Group and he requested the inclusion of York Tomorrow as a member of the Group.

Disposal of Land for the proposed Clifford’s Tower Visitor Centre

Cllr Mark Warters spoke to express concern at the proposed siting of the Visitor Centre at the foot of the Tower.

Dr Jeremy Ashbee, the Head Properties Curator for English Heritage, spoke to confirm the need for improvements to Clifford’s Tower and the provision of a visitor centre. He explained the rationale for the siting of the visitor centre at the base of Tower and referred to the timescales involved for development.

Lady Jane Gibson spoke on behalf of Make it York, referring to the strong visitor economy in the city and the need to refresh the visitor offer. She referred to the extensive marketing due to be carried out by English Heritage following the improvement works at Clifford’s Tower to promote the new attraction.

Proposed Long Term Leases – Scarcroft Green

John Harris, spoke as Chair of the Scarcroft Green Association, an Association with a membership of over 150 players. He confirmed their request for a 99 year lease which would provide a statement of intent to both the association and funders and assist the Association in applying for capital grants for future improvements,  replacement buildings, equipment and resurfacing of the greens.

Developing the Council’s Strategic Relationship with Academies and Multi-Agency Trusts

Brian Crosby spoke as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hope Learning Trust in relation to Canon Lee School which been put into special measures in 2015 and which the Trust had been assigned as the sponsor for academy conversion by 1 January 2017. He expressed concern that the conversion had been delayed owing to problems in agreeing the terms of the land lease and highlighted the monthly deficit being accrued and he requested the Executive to approve the land lease to enable the conversion to take place. 

Helen Dowds spoke as Principal of the Vale of York Academy, also to express her support for the inclusion of the Clifton Without site in the land lease as the access over the site was currently the main route for pupils walking to school. She confirmed that the lease was required to ensure the success of the school.