Agenda item

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

A – Executive Leader’s Report

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

Members were then invited to question the Leader on his report.  Questions were received from the floor from the following Members in relation to the subjects listed, and replied to as indicated:

Great British Railways

From Cllr Pearson: Has the government given any indication of where in York GBR’s headquarters would be located if our competition entry is successful?

[Supplementary from Cllr Douglas: Network Rail said they were waiting to hear from the council about the multi-storey car park on the York Central site; what do you think about Ian Gray’s comments on that?]

Response: We were talking to government well before the competition was announced, and received positive feedback from the Rail Minister and Network Rail. We’ve now gone back to them to request further information.  We have submitted evidence as to why York should be chosen.  Once we know what further evidence they are looking for we will go back to them again. 

I have spoken to Ian Gray, who came to the York Business Forum.  If you have more details of his comments I am happy to look at them. Two planning applications have been submitted for York Central and there will be more to come. Everyone must abide by the Masterplan and the agreed vision for York Central.  I welcome the housing and new jobs it will provide. 

York Outer Ring Road

From Cllr Crawshaw: How surprised were you that Cllr D’Agorne felt unable to support his own Outer Ring Road scheme at Executive recently?

[Supplementary: Given that it’s his scheme, how can anyone be confident that it will be completely delivered?]

[Supplementary from Cllr K Taylor: The Deputy Leader also opposed the stopping-up order (on Leeman Road) – how can you have any confidence in him and how can the city have confidence in consistent leadership?]

Response: I am pleased that both your group and mine support the ORR scheme, which is an opportunity to unlock the benefits of the city centre and other spaces that are currently congested.  It is not for me to answer for Cllr D’Agorne, but if you look back at the work done on the scheme you will see there have been changes in response to public engagement. Politics need not always to be oppositional – we are working together to get the best possible scheme. 

I have full confidence in Cllr D’Agorne – our two parties are working together to deliver projects for residents.  The Housing Delivery plan, the ORR and York Central are the results of this approach.  We will continue to work together, including where we have differences.

York Community Woodland

From Cllr Looker: I understand there has been opposition in your group to the hopes of Treemendous to create a space for reflection and remembrance of those who have died of Covid – could you clarify this?

Response: I am happy to investigate this and get back to you.  I have already asked officers to carry out work to ensure that there opportunities to remember and thank key workers; I will ask them to look at how this suggestion can be woven in.

B – Executive Recommendations

Capital Programme – Monitor 1 2021/22

Cllr Aspden moved, and Cllr D’Agorne seconded, the following recommendation contained in Minute 32 of the Executive meeting held on 26 August 2021:

“Recommended: That Council approve the adjustments resulting in a decrease in the 2021/22 budget of £62.138m, as detailed in the report and contained in Annex A.

Reason:              To enable the effective management and monitoring of the council’s capital programme.”

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

Resolved:  That the above recommendation be approved.¹