Agenda item

Motions on Notice

To consider the following Motions on Notice under Standing Order 22:

Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Order 22.1

(i) From Cllr Rawlings

Devolution for York

“Council notes:

That York has been closely involved with the ongoing negotiations seeking a resolution regarding devolution arrangements for Yorkshire;

The council’s position at these meetings has been to ensure that York plays a central role in the outcome of whatever ‘devolution deal’ eventually emerges from these talks and has at all times kept the interests of York residents and business at the heart of its discussions with the other Yorkshire authorities;

Council therefore endorses continuing negotiations with other Yorkshire authorities, and recognising that a separate South Yorkshire deal is now highly likely, would therefore prefer a Greater Yorkshire solution incorporating as much of Yorkshire’s historic North, East and West Ridings as possible which will benefit York Residents and the county as a whole.

The Council will therefore support the continuing efforts of the council leader in his negotiations.”

(ii) From Cllr Cuthbertson

Library Services in York

“Council notes:

The importance of library services to the residents of York in supporting lifelong learning and development and providing access to information and advice, regardless of personal circumstance.

The vital role that libraries fulfil in providing a focal point for people of all ages and backgrounds to meet and share ideas and experience.

The important contribution made by volunteers and friends groups in supporting the provision of library services across the city.

The beneficial effect that volunteering can have on personal wellbeing.

The intention of City of York Council to consult residents on a potential ‘vision’ for the future of York’s library service, to inform a specification for the next contract period.

Council resolves:

To urge the Executive to consult on a proposed vision for the future that includes the provision of locally-based and sustainable library services that meet residents’ needs and a commitment that there will be no reduction in the total number of staffed libraries across the city.”

(iii) From Cllr Pavlovic

HMO Standards

“Council believes all housing should meet a basic minimum standard that provides safe living accommodation for those that occupy it, and that there is currently a significant requirement for the private rented sector (PRS) to meet local housing need.

Council notes:

· previous steps taken to improve housing standards in York and to create balanced communities through the introduction of mandatory licensing for large 'Houses in Multiple Occupation' (HMOs);

· the significant rise in recent years in the number of smaller HMOs that do not currently require licensing;

· an estimated 23% of PRS properties in York containing category 1 hazards (posing a serious and immediate risk to a person’s health and safety);

· cross-party support on City of York Council for extended licensing of HMOs at the May 2016 call-in meeting on the Private Sector Housing Strategy.

Council believes that, to ensure clear standards are maintained within the PRS, licensing should be extended as a valuable step towards achieving this goal.

Council resolves:

To request that the Executive undertakes a review of the evidence supporting the case for extended licensing across a proportion of the city (where the density of HMOs is the greatest) to assess the case for the introduction of additional discretionary HMO licensing.”

(iv) From Cllr Craghill

Homelessness in York

“Council is appalled by the growing homeless crisis nationally and here in York and notes with regret the following:

· The recent sudden death on the streets of York of one of our long term rough sleepers;

· A report published in August this year by ‘Crisis’, the national charity for homeless people, which shows that almost a quarter of a million people are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness across Britain, with rough sleeping set to rise by 76% in the next 10 years unless policies are changed;

· The fact that the official number of street homeless in York rose from 2 in Nov. 2011 to 18 in 2015 and has stayed at that level for the last two years;

· The lack of sufficient temporary accommodation in York and the lack of sufficient affordable one bedroom homes for people to move into.

Council acknowledges the achievement of the Council’s Housing Options team in being awarded a ‘Gold Award’ for their work and the large number of people inside and outside the Council in the voluntary and community sector striving to support people who are homeless.

However, Council is concerned that clearly something isn’t working and more needs to be done. Council therefore resolves to call for an urgent report to Executive to consider options on the following:

· Immediate measures to provide additional temporary accommodation and avoid if at all possible any further deaths on our streets this winter;

· Any further measures that can be actioned in a short/medium timescale to prevent this crisis from spiralling out of control in York. These might include an extension of the Housing First model; the provision of daytime facilities in the city centre to improve the health of people who find themselves on the streets; and the options for closer working with partners across the region to improve outcomes for homeless people.

· Plans for engagement with people living on the streets, in temporary accommodation and other homeless people to learn from their views and ideas.”

Minutes:

Motions submitted for consideration directly by Council, in accordance with Standing Order 22.1

(i) Devolution for York

(Proposed by Cllr Rawlings and seconded by Cllr Carr)

“Council notes:

· That York has been closely involved with the ongoing

negotiations seeking a resolution regarding devolution

arrangements for Yorkshire;

· The council’s position at these meetings has been to ensure that York plays a central role in the outcome of whatever ‘devolution deal’ eventually emerges from these talks and has at all times kept the interests of York residents and business at the heart of its discussions with the other Yorkshire authorities.

The Council will therefore support the continuing efforts of the Council Leader in his negotiations.”

Notice had been received of two amendments, the first from Cllr Aspden and the second from Cllr S Barnes.

Amendment from Cllr Aspden

“After the 2^nd paragraph, insert:

‘Council recognises:

1. The requirement for cross party support in York and across the region for a meaningful and long-lasting devolution of decision making from central Government.

2. The need to continue negotiations with other Yorkshire authorities in an open and transparent nature.

3. The positive input recently from the debate in the House of Commons called by John Grogan MP (Keighley but formerly Selby) on 10^th October 2017 seeking an all party solution.

4. The need to clarify York’s position given recent misrepresentations in the media.

In the third paragraph, after ‘Yorkshire authorities’ insert: ‘to enable the maximum geographic coverage of the historic boundaries to be included in a long lasting solution’ and then delete the rest of the paragraph.

Delete the final paragraph and insert:

‘Council requests that a report to the Executive establishes a clear means for proper negotiations with other authorities and meaningful consultation with York residents.’

Amendment from Cllr S Barnes:

“At the end of the second paragraph, insert:

· ‘That the devolution landscape in Yorkshire is such that no one outcome is currently certain.

· The strong support of the CBI for a devolution deal for Yorkshire on the largest scale possible’

Make the following deletions and additions to the 3rd paragraph:

- In the first line, delete ‘continuing’, delete ‘other’ and insert ‘all’

- In the second and third lines, delete all from ‘and recognising’ to ‘prefer’, insert a full stop after authorities’ and then insert ‘Council further recognises that while’

- In the fifth line, delete ‘as’ and insert ‘remains’ and after ‘possible’ insert ‘a One Yorkshire deal’

- At the end, after ‘whole’, delete the full stop and insert ‘and which residents can better identify with, should be actively pursued as York’s first priority’.

In the final paragraph, delete ‘continuing’, and delete ‘his’ and insert ‘such’.”

Cllr Aspden sought Council’s consent to alter his amendment so that the original motion, if amended, would read as follows:

“Council notes:

· The strong support of the CBI for a devolution deal for Yorkshire on the largest scale possible;

· That York has been closely involved with the ongoing negotiations seeking a resolution regarding devolution arrangements for Yorkshire.

Council recognises:

1. The need to continue negotiations with other Yorkshire authorities in an open and transparent nature.

2. The need for cross-party working at both a local and regional level to achieve a meaningful and long-lasting devolution settlement from Government.

Council therefore endorses continuing negotiations with all other Yorkshire authorities to enable the maximum geographic coverage, within existing Yorkshire boundaries, to be included in a long lasting solution.

Council recognises the potential advantages of a 'One Yorkshire' devolution deal and requests the Executive work with partners regionally and in national government to ensure that this option and its deliverability is fully explored.

Council further requests that the Executive establishes publicly a clear means for proper negotiations with other authorities and meaningful consultation with York residents.”

Following Council’s agreement to his alteration, Cllr Aspden then moved his amendment, as altered and detailed above.

Cllr S Barnes then sought Council’s consent to withdraw the original amendment in his name.

Following Council’s agreement to the withdrawal of his original amendment, Cllr S Barnes then seconded Cllr Aspden’s amendment, as altered above.

On being put to the vote the amendment, as altered, was declared CARRIED.

The motion, as amended (by the altered amendment), was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved: That the motion, as amended (by the altered amendment), be approved as set out below.¹

“Council notes:

· The strong support of the CBI for a devolution deal for Yorkshire on the largest scale possible;

· That York has been closely involved with the ongoing negotiations seeking a resolution regarding devolution arrangements for Yorkshire.

Council recognises:

1. The need to continue negotiations with other Yorkshire authorities in an open and transparent nature.

2. The need for cross-party working at both a local and regional level to achieve a meaningful and long-lasting devolution settlement from Government.

Council further requests that the Executive establishes publicly a clear means for proper negotiations with other authorities and meaningful consultation with York residents.”

(ii) Library Services in York

(Proposed by Cllr Cuthbertson and seconded by Cllr Fenton)

“Council notes:

The importance of library services to the residents of York in supporting lifelong learning and development and providing access to information and advice, regardless of personal circumstance.

The vital role that libraries fulfil in providing a focal point for people of all ages and backgrounds to meet and share ideas and experience.

The important contribution made by volunteers and friends groups in supporting the provision of library services across the city.

The beneficial effect that volunteering can have on personal wellbeing.

The intention of City of York Council to consult residents on a potential ‘vision’ for the future of York’s library service, to inform a specification for the next contract period.

Council resolves:

Cllr Wells moved, and Cllr Crisp seconded, an amendment to the above motion, as follows:

“After the first paragraph insert:

· The successful transfer of the libraries service in 2014 to an independent mutual model that ensured every library in the city was protected.

In the third paragraph, delete the second word, ‘important’, and insert ‘essential’; insert ‘sustainable’ before ‘library’ and at the end, after ‘city’, insert ‘following huge cuts to local government funding since 2010’.

In the paragraph after ‘Council Resolves’ insert, after ‘library services’, ‘under a community benefit ownership model’.”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared CARRIED.

Cllr Mercer then moved, and Cllr Brooks seconded, a further amendment, as follows:

“In the last paragraph after ‘Council Resolves’ insert a full stop after ‘needs’ and delete the rest of the sentence.

On being put to the vote, this amendment was declared LOST.

A vote was then taken on the original motion, as altered by Cllr Wells’ amendment, which was CARRIED and it was

Resolved: That the original motion, as altered by Cllr Wells’ amendment, be approved as set out below. ²

“Council notes:

The importance of library services to the residents of York in supporting lifelong learning and development and providing access to information and advice, regardless of personal circumstance.

The successful transfer of the libraries service in 2014 to an independent mutual model that ensured every library in the city was protected.

The vital role that libraries fulfil in providing a focal point for people of all ages and backgrounds to meet and share ideas and experience.

The essential contribution made by volunteers and friends groups in supporting the provision of sustainable library services across the city following huge cuts to local government funding since 2010

The beneficial effect that volunteering can have on personal wellbeing.

The intention of City of York Council to consult residents on a potential ‘vision’ for the future of York’s library service, to inform a specification for the next contract period.

Council resolves:

To urge the Executive to consult on a proposed vision for the future that includes the provision of locally-based and sustainable library services, under a community benefit ownership model, that meet residents’ needs and a commitment that there will be no reduction in the total number of staffed libraries across the city.”

(i) HMO Standards

(Proposed by Cllr Pavolvic and seconded by Cllr Derbyshire)

Council notes:

· previous steps taken to improve housing standards in York and to create balanced communities through the introduction of mandatory licensing for large 'Houses in Multiple Occupation' (HMOs);

· the significant rise in recent years in the number of smaller HMOs that do not currently require licensing;

· an estimated 23% of PRS properties in York containing category 1 hazards (posing a serious and immediate risk to a person’s health and safety);

· cross-party support on City of York Council for extended licensing of HMOs at the May 2016 call-in meeting on the Private Sector Housing Strategy.

Council believes that, to ensure clear standards are maintained within the PRS, licensing should be extended as a valuable step towards achieving this goal.

Council resolves:

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

Resolved: That the motion, as set out above, be approved.

(ii) Homelessness in York

(proposed by Cllr Craghill, seconded by Cllr Kramm)

“Council is appalled by the growing homeless crisis nationally and here in York and notes with regret the following:

· The recent sudden death on the streets of York of one of our long term rough sleepers;

· The fact that the official number of street homeless in York rose from 2 in Nov. 2011 to 18 in 2015 and has stayed at that level for the last two years;

· The lack of sufficient temporary accommodation in York and the lack of sufficient affordable one bedroom homes for people to move into.

· Immediate measures to provide additional temporary accommodation and avoid if at all possible any further deaths on our streets this winter;

· Plans for engagement with people living on the streets, in temporary accommodation and other homeless people to learn from their views and ideas.”

Cllr Lisle moved, and Cllr Galvin seconded, an amendment to the motion, as follows:

“In the first paragraph:

delete ‘and here in York’ and ‘with regret’

insert the following additional bullet points, in the order indicated:

· ‘The tragic statistic that the life expectancy of a rough sleeper is 30 years below average (2^nd bullet point)

· That engagement with services is the best way for individuals to break the cycle of rough sleeping (4^th bullet point)

· The successful ‘No Second Night Out’ policy operated in York (5^th bullet point)

· The £10.5m investment into new temporary homeless accommodation by this administration with the purchase of James House to replace the outdated facilities at Ordinance Lane (7^th bullet point)

· The severe weather scheme for the winter months already operated by the council’. (8^th bullet point)

Delete the last bullet point, beginning ‘The lack of sufficient temporary accommodation in York’.

In the second paragraph, after ‘Council acknowledges the’, insert ‘significant’.

In the 3^rd paragraph, delete everything after ‘Council’ and insert:

‘recognises that more always needs to be done and therefore asks for a report to the Executive following up on its Homeless Review 16/17 which was reported to the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods in July 2017 and the Homelessness Strategy set out in the multi-agency ‘A City Partnership to Prevent Homelessness 2013-2018’ regarding any further measures which could further assist homeless individuals in York’.”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared LOST.

The original motion was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and it was

Resolved: That the original motion, as set out below, be approved.

“Council is appalled by the growing homeless crisis nationally and here in York and notes with regret the following:

· The recent sudden death on the streets of York of one of our long term rough sleepers;

· The fact that the official number of street homeless in York rose from 2 in Nov. 2011 to 18 in 2015 and has stayed at that level for the last two years;

· The lack of sufficient temporary accommodation in York and the lack of sufficient affordable one bedroom homes for people to move into.

· Immediate measures to provide additional temporary accommodation and avoid if at all possible any further deaths on our streets this winter;

· Plans for engagement with people living on the streets, in temporary accommodation and other homeless people to learn from their views and ideas.”