North Yorkshire County Council
Executive
Minutes of the remote meeting held on Tuesday, 30th November 2021 commencing at 11.00 am.
County Councillor Carl Les in the Chair. plus County Councillors Gareth Dadd, Derek Bastiman, David Chance, Michael Harrison, Andrew Lee, Don Mackenzie, Patrick Mulligan, Janet Sanderson and Greg White.
Officers present: Stuart Carlton, Gary Fielding, Richard Flinton, Barry Khan, Richard Webb, Melanie Carr, Michael Leah and Katie Needham.
Apologies: Karl Battersby & Louise Wallace.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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659 |
Minutes of the Informal Meeting of Executive Members held on 12 October 2021
Resolved –
That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2021, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chairman as a correct record.
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660 |
Declarations of Interest
Councillor Derek Bastiman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 6 – Review of Personal Safety Measures for County Councillors, and removed himself from the meeting for that item.
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Public Questions and Statements
There were no public questions or statements.
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Annual complaints report including LGSCO complaints
Considered – A report of the Chief Executive providing an overview of performance in relation to complaints and information on compliments received by the Council during the year 2020/21.
County Councillor Greg White introduced the report and drew attention to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman annual letter to the Council at appendix 1.
Members noted a reduction in the number of compliments and commendations, thought in part due to be as a result of a reduced number of weddings held at registrars throughout the year.
Resolved - That the report be noted.
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663 |
Review of Personal Safety Measures for County Councillors
Considered: A report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) providing an overview of the measures currently in place for County Councillors to keep them safe when attending meetings in the community, in order to consider what further actions could be taken.
Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) introduced the report and confirmed that the proposal in response to guidance issued nationally, was to introduce a ring-fenced fund of £15K for additional safety measures for Councillors, where there were perceived concerns. It was noted that the fund would be introduced on a trial basis.
Members welcomed the introduction of the fund, on the basis that no elected Member should feel threatened or to intimidated to seek public office. They were also pleased to note the confidentiality clause and agreed there should be no financial limit placed on ensuring democracy, or that money alone should not be seen as the only way to achieve an improved level of safety for Members. In that respect, attention was drawn to the personal safety guidance previously made available and to the proposed actions in the report.
Members questioned the potential issues around the sharing / disclosing of personal data and Barry Khan confirmed there would be a proportional and measures approach.
Finally, it was suggested that to assist Members in assessing the level of potential risk associated with their work, a pro-active approach be taken through the provision of a list of low-cost options for improved safety.
Resolved - That a proportionate and scaled approach to managing the risk of verbal, physical and on-line abuse of County Councillors be taken through the following: a) Continued awareness raising through training and briefings b) A review of the arrangements County Councillors have in place for managing their personal safety when attending meetings and meeting with members of the public c) Enabling County Councillors to contact designated officers to provide information about potentially violent persons prior to undertaking a home visit d) Promotion of the reporting of incidences to better understand the scale of the issue and what further actions could be taken to reduce the associated risks e) Liaison with the Police where specific concerns have been raised f) Access to dedicated funding to enable additional security measures be put in place.
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664 |
Sexual Health Service Service Model Consultation Feedback and Draft Section 75 Agreement with York & Scarborough Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Considered: A report of the Corporate Director – Health and Adult Services and Director of Public Health, providing an update on the Section 75 agreement between the County Council and York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (YSFT) following a 60-day consultation on the proposed service model changes to the Integrated Sexual Health Service.
County Councillor Andrew Lee introduced the report and confirmed the Authority was mandated to provide an integrated Sexual Health Service, and that the proposed changes would deliver a more enhance online offer, an improved telephone service, and timely access to face-to-face appointments at strategically placed clinics.
Members welcomed the proposals, noting they would be implemented by 2022, as they agreed they would deliver a modernised service, which was particularly suitable for such a rural county.
Resolved – That the contents of the report be noted, and:
i. Approval of the draft content of the Section 75 Partnership Agreement and associated schedules be delegated to the Corporate Director for Health and Adult Services in consultation with the Director of Public Health, the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and the Executive Member for Public Health; and ii. A 30-day consultation on the draft content of the Section 75 Partnership Agreement be commenced.
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Appointments to Committees & Outside Bodies
Considered: A report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services)
Resolved – That Cllr Derek Bastiman replace Cllr Andrew Lee on the following Outside Bodies:
· York and North Yorkshire LEP Infrastructure Board · Welcome to Yorkshire – as the substitute member · Yorventure Management Group –as the substitute member.
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666 |
Forward Plan
Considered –
The Forward Plan for the period 22 November 2021 to 30 November 2022 was presented.
Resolved - That the Forward Plan be noted.
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The meeting concluded at 11.26 am.