Agenda item
Public Participation
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At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.
Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at remote meetings. The deadline for registering at this meeting is at 5.00pm on Tuesday 24 November 2020.
To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form. If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting please contact Democratic Services. Contact details can be found at the foot of the agenda. |
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Minutes:
It was reported that there had been 10 registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
The following spoke on Agenda Item 7 (The Future of the Extended City Centre Footstreets):
Anelka Houston read a statement on behalf of the York Disability Rights Forum, arguing that removal of the parking exemption for Blue Badge holders on some streets was in breach of the Equality Act and the council’s own Equality Strategy.
Bernadette Cullen, as a disabled person who cycled to work in the city centre, questioned why bicycles were prohibited in the footstreets whereas disability scooters were not.
Alison Hume presented a petition signed by 1,100 people calling on the council to allow Blue Badge holders to park on the recently closed footstreets pending conclusion of a consultation process.
John Pybus, Landlord of the Blue Bell and a member of Fossgate Traders Association called for the pedestrianisation of Fossgate to be made permanent, following a survey of businesses and residents.
Natasha Rawnsley explained the impact of the restrictions on her ability to access the city centre independently, due to the removal of Blue Badge parking on Goodramgate and Blake Street.
Jane Burton stated that the proposals showed a lack of understanding of the needs of disabled people and breached the Equalities Act. She suggested that Blue Badge holders be given access via fobs to raise street barriers.
Cllr Fitzpatrick, a Member for Guildhall Ward, supported the principle of footstreets / pedestrianisation in some areas but called for better consultation moving forward with hospitality, retail and residents – three groups with different needs - as well as with ward councillors.
Written comments on item 7 were received from:
· Mick Phythian, a local resident and husband of a Blue Badge holder, objecting to the proposals;
· Jan Keenan, the owner of a business on Castlegate, supporting the proposals;
· Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of York Business Improvement District (BID), supporting the proposals.
Written comments on Agenda Item 8 (York Railway Station Gateway - Funding and Delivery) were received from Alan Robinson, of York Bus Forum, seeking consideration within the project of first steps towards a high-class bus interchange.
The following spoke on Agenda Item 9 (Update on the Asset Management Strategy 2017-2022):
David Finch, Chair of the Friends of Leeman Park, welcomed the proposals in respect of the Riverside Path (paragraph 32 of the report), asking that the S106 improvements be completed before the York Central development began.
Cllr K Taylor, a Member for Holgate Ward, also supported the Riverside Path proposals, suggesting that the S106 improvements be built into the lease, but urged that the disposal of Oakhaven (paragraphs 54-63) be postponed pending receipt of the update promised to the Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee in February.
Written comments on item 9 were received from Sue Cooke, a local resident, seeking deferral of the disposal of Oakhaven.
James Mason spoke on Agenda Item 10 (City of York Council’s Relationship with Welcome to Yorkshire), as Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire. He explained the role of WTY in attracting people to visit, live, work and study in York, acting as a conduit between the public and private sector and reacting flexibly to change during the pandemic.