Agenda item

To receive and consider a written report from the Leader and, to answer questions on the work of the Executive, together with the Executive recommendations for approval, as set out below:

A.  Executive Leader’s Report

A written report was received from the Executive Leader, Cllr Carr on the work of the Executive.

Members were then invited to question Cllr Carr on his report and questions were received from the floor from the following Members in relation to the subjects listed:

·        Cllr Warters – supervision of utility works on roads and footpaths

·        Cllr Levene – importance of devolution discussions for the York area

·        Cllr Craghill – siting of Clifford’s Tower Visitor Centre

·        Cllr S Barnes – guarantees regarding retention of former Manor School playing fields

·        Cllr S Barnes – arrangement of meeting with Leader to discuss above matter

·        Cllr Kramm – clarification regarding affordable housing as part of the partnership between CYC and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA)

·        Cllr Kramm – Number of affordable homes aimed for as part of the partnership with HCA

·        Cllr Levene –  the percentage of market value of properties considered as affordable in the city

·        Cllr Boyce – Children and Social Work Bill and the abolition of the statutory requirement for the set up local Safeguarding Children’s Boards ^1.   

·        Cllr Williams – how the proposals for the Guildhall differed from that of the previous administration

·        Cllr Williams – delay and costs associated with the Guildhall development

Cllr Carr responded directly to all the questions put to him, including supplementaries, but agreed to respond in more detail in writing to Councillor Boyce.

B       Executive Recommendations

The Development of the Guildhall Complex

Cllr Carr moved, and Cllr Aspden seconded the following recommendations contained in Minute 140 of the Executive meeting held on 16 March 2017:

Recommended:          That Council approve a total capital budget of £12.780m with prudential borrowing of £8.683m to fund the construction works to develop the Guildhall complex.

Reason:                       To ensure the future viability and effective re-use of the Guildhall as one of the City’s most significant historic buildings, through the creation a vibrant business and civic venue, with supporting commercial development on the riverside.

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved:   That the above recommendation in respect of the funding of the Guildhall improvement works, be approved.^2.

Update on the Re-Provision of the Ordnance Lane Temporary Homeless Hostel

Cllr Carr moved, and Cllr Aspden seconded the following recommendation contained in Minute 141 of the Executive meeting held on 16 March 2017:

Recommended:          That Council approve a revised overall budget of £10.5m from the Housing Revenue Account for the purchase (subject to contract) and conversion of James House as a permanent replacement for the council’s current temporary homeless accommodation at Ordnance Lane. 

Reason:                       To enable the re-provision of the council’s temporary homeless accommodation at Ordnance Lane, Holgate Road, Crombie House and Acomb Road to a single service based at James House. ^3.

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved:  That the above recommendation in respect of the purchase and refurbishment of James House for temporary homeless accommodation, be approved.