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, Leader of the Council

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

In response to a query concerning the view of the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse on the devolution proposals for Yorkshire, the Leader of the Council stated that the Minister’s view was that of the Government who felt that the region was too large for one deal and that there should three or four separate deals with smaller areas.

A query was raised regarding Align Property Services who were moving into the Civic Centre. The Leader of the Council informed Council the company was a subsidiary of North Yorkshire County Council.

A query was raised regarding car parking facilities for Members at the Civic Centre. The Leader of the Council explained that this could be looked into once the Police had moved in to the building to see how many spaces were remaining.

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

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

A query was raised around the housing delivery test and why the Council had a result of 154% along with what the consequences were if they fell under 100%. The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that there were two tests in respect of housing delivery, these were the five year housing land supply and the housing delivery test. Council was informed that the Secretary of State had used a standard formula to calculate the Council’s result and there were different penalties depending on how much lower than 100% the result was.

In response to a further query on housing figures, the Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that the Council was trying to achieve the Spatial Strategy to ensure housing development.

In respect of a question asked on the Selby and District Housing Trust, the Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that the Trust were looking at acquisitions, in particular at garage sites however any developments were subject to loans from the Council. 

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.

Concern was raised that the Government were changing pension credit rules and it was felt a representation should be made raising concerns about this. The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained representations would be made where possible.

Councillor C Metcalfe, Lead Executive 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.

In response to a query concerning the station development, the Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that there was a masterplan for the development which was currently being redesigned.

In relation to the Sherburn Growth and Infrastructure Plan, a request was made to view the outlined project plan and vision for the proposal. The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development agreed that this could be provided.

A query was raised regarding the localities proposed for the Future High Streets Fund. The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that only one area could be selected for the bid and Selby had been chosen however the information gained from working on the bid would be used to benefit Sherburn and Tadcaster. Additionally, Council was informed there would be a further round of bidding in 2020 where more proposals could be submitted. It was felt that there needed to be further information on the strength of businesses in Sherburn and Tadcaster.

Councillor C Pearson, Lead Executive 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.

In response to a query concerning the exact date of the public consultation exercise for an alternative recycling service, the Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that no specific date had been set but this was likely to be late May or early June.

The Lead Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture explained that the current waste collection vehicles would be replaced with ones that were rear loading to enable them to collect from narrow streets. Council was informed that the new vehicles could also collect recycling from both boxes and bins unlike the current vehicles and this would then allow the Council to consider other suppliers once the contract was up for renewal.

Council was informed that the decision for the option chosen for the new recycling scheme would come before Council.

A query was raised regarding what would happen to the planned cycling events taking place in the district following the resignation of Sir Gary Verity from Welcome to Yorkshire. The Leader of the Council explained the events arranged would not be affected and would be held as previously planned.

RESOLVED:

To receive and note the reports from the Executive.