Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M McCartney.

A copy of the Register of Interest for each Selby District Councillor is available for inspection at www.selby.gov.uk.

Councillors should declare to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest in any item of business on this agenda which is not already entered in their Register of Interests.

Councillors should leave the meeting and take no part in the consideration, discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Councillors should also declare any other interests. Having made the declaration, provided the other interest is not a disclosable pecuniary interest, the Councillor may stay in the meeting, speak and vote on that item of business.

If in doubt, Councillors are advised to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Policy Review Committee held on 12 April 2021.

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2021.

RESOLVED:

To approve the minutes of the Policy Review Committee meeting held on 12 April 2021 for signing by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting and expressed his aim that the Committee would look at a number of the Council’s policies throughout the 2021-22 year.

To receive an update (verbal) on and to discuss the work of the Low Carbon Working Group.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Low Carbon Project Officer following the last meeting of the Low Carbon Working Group held on 6 July 2021:

Scope 3 Emissions

·           The Council’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions had already been calculated by APSE and were used to inform the initial work to develop a Low Carbon Action Plan. Members were keen to understand the wider Scope 3 emissions and APSE had been commissioned to do this further work.

·           Scope 3 data had been sent to APSE for them to calculate this portion of the carbon footprint. This included data on leisure and waste contracts, business mileage, water use, and predicted energy use of built assets; from this Officers could fully understand the Council’s carbon budget and develop a strategy to zero carbon emissions by 2030.

·           The next step would be to develop a methodology using the LGA carbon emissions accounting toolkit for monitoring, recording and reporting Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data annually, to track progress. Using the toolkit would allow a comparison with other local authorities. There was a need to understand how to implement this, and how to adopt into each service area.

Tree Planting

·           An Officer led Tree Planting Working Group had been developed to progress projects with the White Rose Forest (WRF) and develop a project plan. Next steps would include a meeting with the WRF to develop a stakeholder engagement plan in line with their resources, planning meeting to be held in August 2021.

·           The Town and Parish Councils and Ward Member survey had been sent out to gauge interest and knowledge of tree planting and identify any planting opportunities. 26 responses had been received so far, including identification of existing tree planting projects, local stakeholder groups who were interested in being involved with tree planting and potential green spaces that could benefit from additional trees. 

·           The Tree Council Tree Warden Scheme was a potential opportunity for community groups in the area to take on this role.

Draft Low Carbon Action Plan

·           The plan had been updated and discussed the with the Lead Executive Member but had not been taken to the July Executive for consideration.

·           The Lead Executive Member had suggested that Officers prepare a strategy to go to the Executive, followed by the action plan at a later date, in order to allow time to review the resource allocation for the action plan and focus on what was achievable. It was suggested that the Executive Member attend the next Low Carbon Working Group meeting to outline his thoughts and agree the next steps to progress the work.

·           Other next steps would be to include the results of the APSE Scope 3 study within the strategy, to understand the scale of the problem and formulate a roadmap to zero carbon by 2030, using the Scope 3 results and the recommendations from APSE.

·           Following this, a ‘quick win’ list of actions and projects that were achievable in the given time frame could be developed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The report gives the Policy Review Committee the opportunity to comment on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

The Committee received the report of the Chief Finance Officer which asked Members to provide comments on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Then Committee noted that the report presented an update to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), covering both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) prior to consideration by Council on 22 July 2021. It considered the budget pressures and issues facing the Council over the next 3 years and beyond, in light of the on-going financial impacts of Covid-19 and local government re-organisation in North Yorkshire.

Members acknowledged that 2020/21 was a year of major uncertainty as the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic unfolded and the Government’s plans for potential re-organisation in North Yorkshire were announced. The Government’s proposals for a reviewed Local Government funding system were delayed, and once again 2021/22 was a one-year settlement. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the key drivers for the financial strategy remained unchanged, although the level of risk had undoubtedly increased. The strategy identified a range of emerging issues, including the government’s waste strategy. The MTFS also set out the Council’s reserves strategy which sought to set aside sums to cover known commitments and financial risk as well as earmarking resources to support delivery of the “Council Plan”.

The Committee noted that, based on the assumptions within the mid-case MTFS, the savings requirement was estimated to rise to £2.8m within the next 3 years, although this was heavily dependent upon future local government finance settlements. The worst case showed the gap rising to nearly £4m over the next 3 years. Given on-going Covid and local government re-organisation (LGR), capacity was focussed on direct delivery of services and projects, and it was proposed that savings were deferred a further year to 2024/25 with reserves being used to bridge the gap in the meantime. It was also proposed that £11.9m be held in the Business Rates Equalisation Reserve for this purpose, with £8m available for alternative use.

Members were also informed that a modest level of savings was assumed over the next 3 years, but in the longer-term income generation would be key, with charging for green waste and alternative use for the Summit to be brought forward for consideration in due course. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) also presented the opportunity for further service transformation and efficiency. As part of this refresh the General Fund and HRA capital programmes had been reviewed to ensure they were deliverable and some reprioritisations are proposed, including withdrawal of the General Fund housing development programme and extension of the HRA to ensure maximisation of s106 spend.

Officers explained that the Programme for Growth had also been reviewed, with the allocation of funds to carbon reduction work reduced to cover those elements that could be delivered within the next 2 years, with £950k available for alternative use. Additionally, a further £8m was proposed for release from the Business Rates Equalisation Reserve to the Programme for Growth from 2021/22. Several proposals for these funds were put forward for consideration,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The report gives the Policy Review Committee the opportunity to comment on the Proposed Taxi Licensing Consultation on Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.

The Committee received the report of the Licensing Manager which asked Members to provide comments on the Proposed Taxi Licensing Consultation on Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, in order to ensure that the views of the Policy Review Committee were considered as part of the eight-week consultation taking place between 12 July 2021 and 6 September 2021.

The Committee were informed that the Secretary of State for Transport (DfT) had issued new Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards to Licensing Authorities, aimed at safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Statutory Standards set out a range of robust measures to protect taxi and private hire vehicle passengers, particularly those most vulnerable.

Members noted that government and licensing authorities had to work together to ensure that, above all else, the taxi and private hire services were safe for public use. In areas where there were existing and comprehensive licensing policies, the DfT had made it clear that it expected these policies to be reviewed in light of the statutory guidance, and for licensing authorities to implement the necessary changes.

Some Members wondered if the change to six-month DBS checks were appropriate. The Committee felt it would be more appropriate for Members to individually respond to the consultation, and as such, that the consultation before them should go forward as it stood.

RESOLVED:

The Policy Review Committee noted the proposed taxi licensing consultation on statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards and agreed that Members should respond to the consultation on an individual basis.

To receive a verbal update on car parking from Officers.

The Committee received a verbal update on car parking, as requested at a previous meeting.

Members were pleased to note that new tariff schemes, signage and machines had been implemented, and the work on large EV charging units had been completed. Officers would supply information to Members at a later date as to the number of people using the £1 tariff. There had been a drop in car park revenue due to the pandemic, which it was hoped would recover following the lifting of restrictions on 19 July 2021.

Officers would shortly be looking at the provision of a new long stay car park in Selby, and the refurbishment of the car park at Back Micklegate.

RESOLVED:

                        The Policy Review Committee noted the update.

To receive a short update on the impact of Universal Credit in Selby District.

The Committee received the short update on Universal Credit in Selby District.

The Committee noted that Universal Credit had a significant impact on the residents of the district and the national rise in numbers could also be seen in Selby. In October 2020 there were 4,131 recipients of Universal Credit in the Selby Jobcentre Plus area, the latest figures available in April 2021 show 5,626 claimants in receipt of Universal Credit.

Members acknowledged that the Council Tax Support claim numbers had steadied; in October 2020 the caseload was 4,705 claims and July 2021 the caseload was 4,677 claims. As part of the measures to help with the economic impacts of COVID-19 the Council received a hardship fund to provide an additional £150.00 rebate on the Council Tax charge for those of working age in receipt of Council Tax Support. In 2020/21 this was used to help 2,300 claimants with £373,000 of the funding used. The remaining funding of £100,000 would continue to be used for individual exceptional hardship cases in 2021/22.

The Committee expressed their concerns as to the rise in the number of people claiming Universal Credit, as well as the government’s additional payment for Universal Credit claimants coming to an end. Ring-fenced grants for homelessness were received from the government, but rent debt had also been accruing which, with the courts reopening, could lead to some evictions.

Members asked that the issue of homelessness was brought to a future meeting of the Committee, as well as the criteria for the use of any money left from the government’s grant; Officers explained that just before the pandemic the Council’s new Homelessness Strategy had been agreed, and as a result this could also be explored.

RESOLVED:

The Policy Review Committee:

1.    noted the update on Universal Credit;

2.    agreed that a report on homelessness should be added to the Committee’s work programme for the September 2021 meeting; and

3.    that an explanatory report on the criteria for and the proposed uses of the remainder of the government’s Covid-19 grant be presented to them in the next few months.

The Policy Review Committee held on 16March 2021 requested a detailed report on fly tipping and littering in the district, in particular what resources (including funding/costs) are needed to improve the collection of litter and tackling of fly tipping. The Committee are asked to note the content of this report.

The Committee received the report of the Head of Operational Services and Head of Commissioning, Contracts and Procurement, which asked the Committee to note the content of the report.

The Committee were informed that the report was in two parts to clearly separate information and findings relating to fly tipping from those relating to littering in the Selby District. The Committee had raised a number of opinions regarding perceived increases in littering and associated reducing standards of cleansing, whilst also raising concerns about perceived increases in fly tipping. Officers were requested to review each issue and report back with findings.

Members expressed their frustration at how the problem of flytipping did not seem to be abating. Fixed penalty notices (FPNs) had been issued, which had generated £11k in fines; the Committee noted that local authorities often preferred FPNs due to the way in which the courts generally dealt with flytipping, as well as some offences being difficult to prosecute due to lack of evidence.

Officers explained that education and engagement with the public to prevent offences was crucial, and compared to other local authorities, Selby was issuing more FPNs than most. There was little evidence that the increase in flytipping was due to charges for the collection of bulky household waste, a report on which was scheduled for the next meeting of the Committee in September.

In relation to littering, Members acknowledged that the evidence suggested that Selby’s standards were relatively high, which could be why when there was litter, it was more noticeable and reported by the public. A campaign against littering on high-speed roads was being planned by asking people to report the registrations of cars who littered, so that FPNs could be issued.

Members went on to ask Officers several questions relating to mechanical versus hand litter picking, identification of areas that needed more focus and inspections and how quickly reported mess was cleared up.

The Committee requested a further information report from Officers at a future meeting on the frequency, methods and locations of litter picking in the district.

RESOLVED

The Policy Review Committee noted the update and requested an information report on the frequency, methods and locations of litter picking in the district.

To present Policy Review Committee with an update on the responses to the Preferred Options consultation.

The Committee received the report of the Planning Policy Manager which provided Members with an update on the responses to the Local Plan Preferred Options Consultation.

The Committee noted that consultation on the Preferred Options Local Plan had taken place between 29 January and 12 March 2021 and had been adapted to take account Covid-19 restrictions. Two public meetings were held on 11 and 16 February 2021. The purpose of these sessions was to provide information about the Local Plan, including the proposed preferred sites. These sessions also provided members of the public with a chance to ask question; the questions and answers had been published on the Council’s website.

Officers explained that in addition to the public meetings, virtual meetings were also undertaken for Parish Councils on numerous dates.

Members were pleased to note that the consultation was advertised in the Selby Times, on the Council’s website and through the Council’s social media streams. Leaflets were also distributed providing details of the Local Plan and where to find further information on the Preferred Options consultation.

The Committee understood that whilst copies of the consultation document and supporting material were not made available at deposit points due to Covid-19 restrictions, all the information was provided online. Furthermore, hard copies of the documents were provided to any members of the public that requested them. A dedicated Local Plan phoneline was set up with an Officer available within office hours to answer any queries.

Members acknowledged that consultation on the plan was widely advertised through social media and press releases, which led to a total of 17,040 views on web pages during the consultation period. In the first week of the consultation there were 4,578 views, which made it the Council’s most visited website page by a significant amount. The Local Plan animation was viewed 994 times via Twitter, with 7,908 impressions (how many times it had been seen). Over 1200 responses were received from individuals in response to the Preferred Options consultation, which comprised 4719 comments.

Members thanked Officers for the tremendous work they had done on the Local Plan and noted the summary of responses as set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

The Policy Review Committee noted the update on the responses to the Preferred Options consultation.

To consider the Committee’s work programme.

Members noted the work programme which would be amended to reflect the suggestions made at the meeting.

RESOLVED:

To amend the work programme for 2020-21 as per the changes suggested at the meeting.