Agenda item

Members will receive an introductory presentation on Customer Interface, Operational Practice & Outcomes, and Commercial Estate

The Corporate Director of Economy and Place explained that the role of the committee is to act as a critical friend, and monitor and challenge where necessary, operational practice, performance and outcomes.

He also confirmed the new Assistant Director Transport, Highways and Environment had been assigned as Lead Officer to the committee.

The Committee received presentations from each of the Assistant Directors on their respective service areas and their operational performance priorities. The Assistant Director for Planning and Public Protection highlighted the following:

·     An expected increase in major planning applications as the local plan develops.

·     Improved mobile working as a result of the optimisation of efficient electronic working and increased channel shift of customers to website and e-form usage.

·     Greater opportunities for sharing resources with other LA’s in the future and the integration of more volunteers into service delivery.

Consideration was given to examining building regulations and fire risks following recent events and it was agreed that a briefing should be added to the work plan.

The Assistant Director for Planning and Public Protection confirmed the current areas of risk were building regulations, licensing, customer satisfaction and the planning fee uplift.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration and Asset Management highlighted the following:

·     Regeneration and asset management was largely strategic and therefore outside of the remit of the committee. 

·     The only ongoing major project currently in delivery was the Guildhall on which the Committee might choose to receive a progress update.

·     There were twelve members of staff in the asset management team.

·     The greatest areas of risk were the extension of estates, fire risk, and commercial estate delivery.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration and Asset Management suggested the following as possible areas of focus for the committee:

·     The fire safety of the Council’s estate  e.g. of the Shambles and other medieval buildings.

·     The rolling programme of the academisation of schools and the transfer of those assets on long leases.

·     The delivery of good landlord services to commercial tenants & the progress of commercial activity.

·     The maintenance of retained assets.

The Director Transport Highways and Environment explained his role and gave an overview of his service areas, confirming they were largely operational with a focus on meeting customer expectations and delivering services well.   He went on to propose the following areas of work for the committee:

·     The new Park & Ride contract  - The Corporate Director of Economy and Place commented that there are some questions regarding its roll out which the committee could look at.

·     The delivery of resident’s parking.

·     Improving ward based emergency planning and collaboration with other services e.g. the military and emergency services.

In response to a question from the Chair, the Assistant Director, Transport, Highways and Environment, stated that the greatest area of risk was making the Park and Ride contract work.

The Lead Officer for Programmes and Economic and Place Policy 

summarised the key areas of focus ongoing to deliver the Council priority “A Prosperous City for all”. The Corporate Director of Economy and Place Neil Ferris proposed that the committee look at the council’s relationship with and the decision making processes for the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs)suggesting there was very little scrutiny of it at present.

It was also proposed that Members consider looking at the council’s working relationship with Make it York.

Finally, Members suggested looking at the Allerton Park Waste Recovery Plan and opportunities for resident education, and were advised that the commissioning for Allerton Park was scheduled to begin on17 July 2017.

It was also suggested that a committee visit to Allerton Park would be beneficial.

In light of the number of priority areas highlighted across all of the service areas the Chair proposed a Task Group be formed to consider the Committee workplan for the municipal year.

Resolved:            That Members note the presentations.

That a site visit to Allerton Park Waste Recovery Centre be arranged for both Economy & Place Committees

That a Task Group be formed made up of the following Members:

·        Cllr Barnes

·        Cllr D’Agorne

·        Cllr Myers

·        The Lib Dem Group agreed to confirm their nominee later

Reason:                To  develop the Committee Workplan for the 2017-18 municipal year.