Agenda item

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Concern was raised that customers who had withdrawn from the swimming programme were unable to cancel their direct debits therefore still paying towards the costs.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 Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that some residents had declined to have their boilers replaced which had contributed to the underspend however there was some slippage in some work which would be completed in the next financial year.

Councillor C Metcalfe, Executive Lead Member for Communities and Economic Development

Councillor Metcalfe, Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development provided an update on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report.

With regard to member communication, the Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that he had been part of a member communication working group looking into the issue and that one of the recommendations from the group had been to create an electronic bulletin for members which would hopefully be coming out in September.

In response to a query concerning infrastructure, the Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that areas in Selby would have a chance to feed into any proposals. Council was informed that the work being undertaken was about creating a long term vision and looking at how the Council could shape the district. It was noted that work was being undertake with North Yorkshire County Council on this.

A query was raised on what types of business would be working on the Sherburn2 site and whether the issue of lorry parking in the Sherburn2 area could be addressed through designated land for parking. The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that the first occupier of the Sherburn2 site was a business from the Sherburn1 site who wished to expand and that there were potentially two more businesses looking to go on the site. With regard to lorry parking, Council was informed that any allocation of land would have to be justified through a business case and that further discussions were needed on this.

In response to a query around the development of the Community Engagement Forums (CEFs), the Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development informed Council that a discussion had been held with CEF Chairs and meetings had also taken place with North Yorkshire County Council Stronger Communities on this issue. Additionally a workshop would be taking place to have further discussions.

Concern was raised regarding the transport from Selby to Sherburn which was preventing people going for employment opportunities in Sherburn. Additionally concern was raised at the levels of unemployment in Selby. The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that work had been done on tackling unemployment in Selby and that levels of unemployment in the district were now minimal.

Councillor C Pearson, Executive Lead Member for Housing, Health and Culture

Councillor Pearson, Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture, provide an update on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report.

The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that a Mental Health Forum would be launched on 24 July 2018 to establish local community networks to deliver services differently.

A query was raised whether Yorkshire Wildlife Trust gave the Council a yearly programme of work they would undertake at Barlow Common. The Executive Lead Member for Housing, Health and Culture agreed to provide a response on this.

RESOLVED:

To receive and note the reports from the Executive.