Agenda item

To question the Leader and/or Executive Members in respect of any matter within their portfolio responsibility, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule B11.

Question to Cllr Waller, Executive Member for Children, Young People & Education

From Cllr Webb: There has been a long decline in service standards after 6 years of Lib Dem administration.  What will you do to arrest the problems caused by a constant change in leadership, especially by the creation and dissolution of a People Directorate?

Response: At the scrutiny meeting you attended, a detailed action plan was presented, building on work already in progress.  A key aspect is the pace of change and we’ve changed the composition of the Corporate Parenting Board so that young people are included.  The arrival of a new Director next week will assist the process.  Scrutiny raised no issues with the actions or time frame, and I am working with officers to ensure the timetable is kept to.

Question to Cllr Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment & Climate Change

From Cllr Warters: Will you apologise to the people of York for the state of the streets and in particular the grass cutting, which is actually undermining the pollination policy by cutting down wildflower areas?

Response: There has been a massive problem in recruiting people this year and the [grass on] verges has got much longerthan it should have. Apologies have been communicated for the lateness of the first cuts.  One area containing wildflowers was cut, by a new person working overtime who thought they were doing the right thing.  A new training process is in place, and everyone is working hard to ensure the city looks as well as it can. 

Question to Cllr D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport

From Cllr Crawshaw: With reference to your earlier response to Cllr Looker, canyou confirm whether there will be an exemption for Blue Badge holders if the car-free day goes ahead in 2023?

Response: I said that there are such events in some streets, such as Bishopthorpe Road.  Provision is made for all to attend these, including Blue Badge holders.

Question to Cllr Runciman, Executive Member for Health & Adult Social Care

From Cllr Waudby: Can you give an update on how the health trainer service supports residents?

Response: We are celebrating the first year with our health trainers.  They have spoken to and advised 400 people on how to stop smoking, and 200 people on how to eat healthily and manage their weight.  They can also provide advice and support on reducing alcohol intake – there’s a particular problem in York with drinking at home.  It’s a great service, personalised and easy to sign up to online.

Question to Cllr Craghill, Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods

From Cllr Perrett: The boilers in some homes in Heworth Ward are too big for the residents’ needs. Will you commit to looking into replacing these separately from the council house retrofit programme, as it is a unique problem?

Response:   This does sound like a unique problem.  I don’t know the details but I am certainly prepared to look into it and get back to you.

Question to Cllr Ayre, Executive Member for Finance & Major Projects

From Cllr Daubeney: Can you give an update on the Shared Prosperity finance pot discussed at the last Executive meeting?

Response: Substantial progress has been made; the first meeting of the Shared Prosperity Board has taken place and the Board will meet again tomorrow to discuss how it will address some of the issues, with a view to reporting to government at the end of July.