Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Casling, Cattanach, Peart and Nichols.

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.

Councillor Arthur declared a personal interest in agenda item 9 – Reports from the Executive as he worked for Network Rail.

Councillor Pearson declared a personal interest in agenda item 12 – Community Governance Review – Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council as he was a member of Hambleton Parish Council and the District Councillor for Hambleton.

Councillor Lunn declared a personal interest in agenda item 12 – Community Governance Review – Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council as he was a member of Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council and the District Councillor for Thorpe Willoughby.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 May 2018.

The Council considered the minutes of the meeting of meeting held on 15 May 2018.

RESOLVED:

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 15 May 2018 for signing by the Chairman.

The Chairman, Leader of the Council or the Chief Executive will deal with any communications which need to be reported to the Council.

The Chairman informed Council that he would be attending a memorial service for the former Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Barry Dodd this Friday at York Minster.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Leader or Members of the Executive.

The Chairman informed Council that his Civic Service would be taking place on Sunday 2 September at All Saints Church in Sherburn.

The Chairman also informed Council that he would be holding a Charity Concert on Saturday 29 September at Selby Abbey. He stated that there were a few tickets remaining.

To receive any petitions.

There were no petitions received.

To receive and answer questions notice of which has been given in accordance with rule 10.1 of the Constitution.

There no public questions received.

To receive and answer questions submitted by councillors in accordance with rule 11.2 of the Constitution.

There were no questions from Councillors received.

The Leader of the Council, and other members of the Executive, will report on their work since the last meeting of the Council and will respond to questions from Councillors on that work.

Councillor M Crane - The Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council reported on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report.

In response to a query concerning the costs for the step free access at Selby railway station, the Leader of the Council explained that the current situation was unacceptable to passengers however the costs being quoted were very significant which meant the Council could only make a small contribution towards the overall cost.

Concern was raised that customers who had withdrawn from the swimming programme were unable to cancel their direct debits therefore still paying towards the costs. The Leader of the Council agreed to look into this issue and email a response to all Councillors.

Councillor J Mackman, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Lead Member for Place Shaping

Councillor Mackman, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping, provide an update on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report.

Information was requested on the number of applications being received on major schemes. It was agreed that this information would be provided to Councillors.

In response to a query concerning staffing in the planning team, it was agreed that the current list of staff at the Council would be circulated to Members.

It was queried when the next report for the five year land supply would be ready as following the base date of 31 March 2018. The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that it was likely the report would be ready at the end of July and considered by the Executive following this.

Councillor C Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources  

Councillor Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented his update on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that the Council was currently looking at arguments to pool resources so that it could get better investment. Council was informed that this would mean greater risks involved however it could lead to getting better returns.

It was noted that the accounts would be considered at the next meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee.

Concern was raised at the lack of car parking space when the Police moved onto the site. The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that an extra 41 car parking spaces had been proposed on the site and this was above the number that was required by the Police following an analysis of the usage of their current car park.

In response to a query concerning the £34k shortfall in General Fund savings, the Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that this had been due to a lack of savings however the increase in cash income had gone some way to making up some of the shortfall.

A query was raised around the reasons for the £523k underspend in the HRA Capital Programme. The Lead  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To receive reports from the Council’s committees which need to be brought to the attention of Council. To receive questions and provide answers on any of those reports.

Councillor W Nichols, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor S Duckett on behalf of Councillor W Nichols, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee provided an update on the work of the Committee as outlined in her report. There were no questions for Councillor Duckett. 

Councillor J Deans, Chairman of the Policy Review Committee

Councillor Deans, Chairman of the Policy Review Committee provided an update on the work of the Committee as outlined in his report. In relation to the update on universal credit, it was noted that the Child Poverty Action Group had published a report for Selby.

Councillor K Arthur, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee

Councillor Arthur, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee provided an update on the work of the Committee as outlined in his report. There were no questions for Councillor Arthur.  

RESOLVED:

To receive and note the reports from Committees.

To consider any motions.

There were no motions submitted for discussion.

To consider a report on the Community Governance Review for Thorpe Willoughby.

Councillor Crane, Leader of the Council presented the report which outlined a request from Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council to amend the parish boundary to include the land up to the Selby Bypass.

The Leader of the Council explained that previously Council had resolved to approve the request from Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council subject to confirmation of final agreement from Hambleton Parish Council. Council were informed however that Hambleton Parish Council had not agreed to the proposals that had been submitted.

It was proposed and seconded to refuse the request from Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council as the proposals did not meet the criteria outlined in section 2.8 of the report.

An amendment was proposed and seconded to approve the request from Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council as it was felt it met the criteria as outlined in section 2.8 of the report and as stated in the submission the bypass was the natural barrier to the parish and the residents in the area used the facilities provided by Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council. Upon being put to the vote, this motion was lost.

The motion to refuse the application was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

To refuse the request from Thorpe Willoughby Parish Council as the Council feel that the proposals do not meet the criteria as outlined in section 2.8 of the report.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure Selby District Council complies with legislation.

To consider a report concerning the scrutiny review.

Councillor Crane, Leader of the Council presented the report which outlined actions to be approved as part of the scrutiny review.

The Leader of the Council explained that role profiles had been developed for the different chairs of the scrutiny committees which had been approved by the respective chairs and that it was also recommended to review the scrutiny arrangements again following the election next year.

Council discussed the scrutiny function and it was felt that the actions outlined at 2.4 of the report should also be progressed as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:

i)             To adopt the role profiles for the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committee, Policy Review Committee and Audit and Governance Committee as set out in the appendices to the report for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution at Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions.

ii)            To review the arrangements for scrutiny at Selby after the 2019 elections, following work to improve scrutiny during the 2018-19 year, for implementation in the 2019-20 municipal year.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure that the work to improve scrutiny, as recommended by the Peer Challenge Team and set out in the Council’s Peer Challenge Improvement Plan and agreed by the Executive on 24 May 2018, is progressed.

To consider a report, which outlines a review of byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces.

Councillor Pearson, Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture, presented the report which outlined a review of byelaws for pleasure grounds, public walks and open spaces.

The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that the new byelaws would cover four sites as outlined in the report. In response to a query concerning byelaws for other sites, it was clarified that the current project was designed to update the old pre-existing byelaws.

It was noted that the byelaws used were based on a set developed by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

RESOLVED:

i)             To approve and adopt the new set of Byelaws for Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces.

ii)            To revoke the existing Byelaws adopted by the Council in 1899 including the amendment on 21 January 1925, upon the new Byelaws coming into effect.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure that the Council has byelaws in place which are fit for purpose and reflect how the parks are currently used.

The Chief Executive will report on any instances where she has acted in urgent or emergency situations under the functions delegated to her in the Constitution.

The Chief Executive informed Council that the following urgent action had been taken by her since the last Council meeting under her delegated authority:

• On 12 June 2018, to cancel the Kirk Smeaton Community Governance Review following the withdrawal of the request by Kirk Smeaton Parish Council.

• On 5 July 2018, to appoint Councillor Karl Arthur as Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee to replace Councillor Mike Jordan for the municipal year 2018/19 with immediate effect.