Agenda item

To question the Leader and/or Executive Members in respect of any matter within their portfolio responsibility, in accordance with Standing Order B8.

The Lord Mayor invited members to ask questions of the Leader of

the Council and Executive in relation to matters within their portfolio responsibility.

Details of questions and subsequent responses were provided as

follows:

Councillor Moroney

Please could the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Stronger Communities, outline what progress had been made in helping York residents sleeping rough to get into more stable accommodation?

The Executive Member responded that the Labour administration was committed to ending street homelessness in York. That over the last four weeks there had been no individuals from York reported to be without housing. There was also recognition of the positive work undertaken by voluntary groups such as Hoping Street Kitchen and the Salvation Army to support some of the most vulnerable individuals in society.

Councillor Widdowson

Businesses had repeatedly warned that higher parking charges and related policies made it harder for people to visit the city centre, and that it damaged trade. Did the Executive Member for Economy accept that the Labour administration's approach had failed? And would it commit to introducing measures such as restoring low cost, 30-minute parking and taking other urgent action to bring shoppers and residents back into York?

The Executive Member acknowledged that these were tough times for businesses. One of the biggest challenges related to global pressures and the impact this had on businesses. There was a need to restore confidence with a focus on encouraging people to spend time and money in the city.

Councillor Nicholls

Please could the Executive Member for Transport provide an update on amendments to the 20mph speed limit in Bishopthorpe and provide an assurance that any changes were implemented within a reasonable timescale?

The Executive Member responded that there had been positive discussions with officers about this. It was advised that a gateway approach had been devised for all 20 and 30mph, villages and communities. There were four different gateway approaches. Officers were currently reviewing which gateway approach would work best for the entrances into Bishopthorpe. It was agreed to provide the ward member with an update on the gateway approach into Bishopthorpe.

Councillor Warters

Would the Executive Member for Finance, Performance and Major Projects offer a full and unreserved public apology to the council taxpayers of York over the outrageous overspend on the Station Gateway project and indicate how, along with the Executive Member, staff, both past and present will be held accountable?

The Executive Member responded that the Labour administration had inherited the contract and was liable for overspend and costs. The contract had not included essential features in relation to accessibility. Other, unexpected changes were also required. Issues had been discussed at Scrutiny Committee meetings and through the work of the Audit and Governance Committee. Measures had been put in place to ensure that similar issues did not arise in future. Some of the overspend was driven by international pressures, which CYC was unable to control, for example the cost of labour and materials. It was not considered appropriate to comment on individual staffing issues at full Council meetings.

Councillor Vassie

Concerns were raised about a large pile of fly tipped waste on Naburn Lane in Deighton. It was later discovered that the waste contained asbestos and had been subsequently labelled hazardous. The waste had been left there for eight weeks before it was removed. Did the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency agree that it was unacceptable for fly tipped waste, whether it was hazardous or not to be left on a country lane for two months?

The Executive Member responded that fly tipping was a criminal offence and an assault on the environment, homes and wildlife. All fly tipping needed to be dealt with, especially when it contained hazardous materials. An assessment of the type of asbestos was needed. In relation to the case on Naburn Lane it was understood that an investigation and assessment was ongoing. A further update was to be sought from officers.