Agenda item

At this point in the meeting, any member of the public who has registered to address the Council, or to ask a Member of the Council a question, on a matter directly relevant to the business of the Council or the City, may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Tuesday 16 July 2019.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officers 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_f

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It was reported that nine members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Lynette Mills, a resident, spoke on Item 13 (Supplementary Budget Proposals 2019/20). She expressed her concerns on graffiti and vandalism and the importance of quick removal to discourage further instances. She also stated that the Council’s zero tolerance approach should be extended to include private property.

Dr Mick Phythian spoke on behalf of the York Natural Environment Trust in support of the Green Group Motion. He stressed the importance of preserving disappearing green spaces and re-wilding the City. He also expressed concern at the way CYC had previously managed green spaces.

John Cossham, a resident, also in support of the Green Group Motion. He stated his support for the plan but felt that much more could be done to support wildlife and pointed CYC to the National Pollinator Action Plan.

Anna Semlyen spoke on behalf of the York Cycle Campaign to express their support for the Labour Group Motion. She explained that the group were aiming to make cycling safe and accessible for all and that high quality cycle provision would play a large role in making York Carbon neutral.

Honorary Alderman Watson spoke in relation to the reports of the Leader and the Executive Member for Finance and Performance. He discussed parking at the Community Stadium, Park & Ride charges on match days, consultation on Castle Gateway and delays to the Community Stadium.

Dave Merrett spoke, as Chair of York Environment Forum’s Transport Group and York Central Action Group, in relation to the York Central development. He expressed his concerns on the sustainability and carbon footprint of the York Central development and felt that such views expressed during consultation had been disregarded.

Gwen Swinburn, a resident, spoke on governance and the budget. Firstly she raised her concern at the date of the Full Council meeting changing at short notice.  She went on to raise issues with the budget proposals and management of the Capital Programme. She also asked two questions:

·        To the Leader – When would complaints about Chief Officer conduct be addressed and would a Committee be set up to manage such conduct issues

·        To the Deputy Chief Executive – When would it be publicly announced that no further action would be taken in relation to a standards compliant about to Cllr Ayre

Drew Thompson, Member of the York Private Hire Association, spoke under the general remit of the Committee on UBER. He expressed concern at the behaviour of some UBER drivers in the City. He asked that Executive Members make the decision to prosecute UBER at their meeting to be held on 27 September 2019.

Wendy Loveday, York Private Hire Association Chair also spoke in relation to UBER and out of town taxi drivers. She suggested that Councillors should take action to warn residents against using UBER, as other Council’s had. She also stated that taxi licensing was a local issue and that she felt UBER were breaking the law by operating in York.