Agenda item

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 Executive.

Please note that our registration deadlines are set as 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at our meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Tuesday 10 October 2023. 

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 this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

During coronavirus, we made some changes to how we ran council meetings, including facilitating remote participation by public speakers. See our updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that there had been 11 registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Cllr Mason spoke in relation to city centre access and he highlighted the security advice from counter terrorism police that restricted access should include blue badge holders and stated that blue badge holders like himself should be restricted from driving in the foot street area like other road users.

Natasha Rawnsley spoke in relation to city centre access and outlined that the blue badge ban had been heart breaking. She asked why similar schemes in places like Bath had provided greater access when blue badge holders faced restrictions.

Gwen Swinburn questioned the level of engagement with residents the City Centre Vision would have. Regarding city centre access she noted that counter terrorism police had not changed their advice to the Council and asked that the Committee follow this advice to prevent access to all but emergency services.

Flick Williams thanked and asked the Executive to agree to remove the restrictions in the city centre to blue badge holders. She asked that the city ensure events can be accessed by all people and highlighted the current limitations in public transport such as wheelchair spaces on buses to allow disabled people to travel.

Diane Roworth highlighted the laws around equalities and the rights of disabled people in relation to blue badge holders having access to the city centre. She welcomed the results of the postcard campaign and consultation which highlighted the harm done by a blue badge ban. She asked that the Executive support option 3 on the Consideration of changes to the City Centre Traffic Regulation order (Footstreets) item.

Tony May on behalf of the York Civic Trust spoke on the local transport plan. He suggested targets are set for each of the 10 areas as well as 2027, 2030, and 2037. He also suggested work needed to begin to access the costs and funding streams to meet the objectives within the plan.

Andy D’Agorne spoke on the transport strategy stating that York required greater access to cycling and bus travel. He spoke in favour of a York shuttle bus for the city centre. He welcomed work to restore and enhance blue badge holders access to the city and around events like the Christmas market.

Cllr Fenton spoke on the transport strategy he highlighted funding secured by the previous administration. He noted the Climate Change strategies targets such as for a reduction in traffic and asked that councillors be kept updated on consultations and on the membership of expert advisory groups to ensure they can promote resident engagement.

Andrew Lowson thanked the Executive for relaunching the city centre vision. He noted the growth in the experience economy that needs supporting. On city centre access he asked that once decisions on human rights and counter terrorism has been made that the Council work with businesses around supporting there use of the city centre.

Anna Semlyen asked that road safety be included as a key part of the Transport Strategy and asked that the Council look to introduce a 20mph speed limit highlighting the reduction in accidents and serious injuries that a reduction in speed delivers.

Vicki Hill spoke on behalf of What a Load of Bollards highlighting the disappointment of residents that £400,000 was spent installing bollards on Acomb Front street that were not wanted by residents. She requested that the Council remove the bollards and to create a pedestrianised open space in consultation with residents and businesses.