Agenda and minutes

Resolved –

That the public Minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2022, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Melanie Carr of Democratic and Scrutiny Services and supplied the text (contact details below) by midday on Thursday 13 October 2022, three working days before the day of the meeting.  Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item.  Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:-

·            at this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matters which are not otherwise on the Agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes);

·            when the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chairman who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were no public questions or statements.

Recommendations: Executive Members are asked to consider the contents of the report and:

i.     Note the consultation responses on the draft CTR proposals;

ii.    Recommend that Full Council approve the new, income banded / grid Council Tax Reduction scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1st April 2023; as detailed within Sections 5 and 6 of this report;

iii.    Approve that the authority to approve the accompanying Exceptional Hardship Scheme be delegated to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Resources and Special Projects;

iv.   Approve that the authority to grant relief under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme be delegated to the S151 Officer.

Recommendations:

That the Executive consider the contents of the report and the findings of the Working Group and recommend that Council approve:

  i.       That the Council Tax levels for the North Yorkshire Council be harmonised over a two year period, commencing in the financial year commencing 1 April 2023;

 ii.      That the weighted average Council Tax level be maintained for Council Tax harmonisation purposes and that harmonisation be applied on a straight-line basis over the two year period.   

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Strategic Resources advising the Executive of the recommendations of the Council Tax Harmonisation Member Working Group and the process by which it arrived at those recommendations.

Gary Fielding, Corporate Director Strategic Resources introduced the report and provided a brief overview of the work undertaken by the Working Group, as detailed in the report.  He also acknowledged the valuable contribution of District Council officers and independent experts who had supported the process.

Finally, Gary Fielding drew attention to the cross party Working Group’s agreed conclusions that:

·            Straight-line harmonisation was the most appropriate option as it was deemed to offer the fairest and most straight forward solution; and

·            Council Tax yield should be protected and the weighted average Band D Council Tax charge should be maintained throughout the period of harmonisation.

·            Council Tax charges across the North Yorkshire Council area be harmonised over two financial years

County Councillor Gareth Dadd recognised that harmonisation was only part of the story given that residents in some areas were also paying one or more precepts as well.

County Councillor Carl Les thanked the Working Group and supporting officers for their work and having noted the findings of the Working Group, the Executive

Resolved – That it be recommended in principle to Council, subject to the outcome of the public consultation, that:

i.       The Council Tax levels for the North Yorkshire Council be harmonised over a two year period, commencing in the financial year commencing 1 April 2023;

ii.      The weighted average Council Tax level be maintained for Council Tax harmonisation purposes and that harmonisation be applied on a straight-line basis over the two-year period.   

Recommendations – That the Executive:

i.    Pass a resolution on 18 October 2022 that the provisions of Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (other than section 45) shall be adopted within the administrative area of North Yorkshire Council, with effect from the 1 April 2023, with the caveat of the decision only taking effect if the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy has been adopted for the 1 April 2023; 

 ii.   Endorse the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as shown in Appendix 1 of the report; 

 iii.   Agree the commencement of a public consultation on the new North Yorkshire Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.   

Considered: A report of the Chair of the Licensing Member Working Group presenting a draft Hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy for the Executive’s consideration, which had been drawn up to demonstrate the Council’s commitment to securing public safety, provide clarity for applicants and licence holders, assist decision making, facilitate enforcement activities and help safeguard against legal challenge.

County Councillor Derek Bastiman, Chair of the Licensing Member Working Group, introduced the report and confirmed the new draft policy promoted the highest possible standards, whilst also providing a consistent approach for both the licensed trade and the public.

He went on to encourage participation in the planned consultation and suggested the options for how to contribute to the consultation should be widened to maximise participation.  Finally to provided an overview of the timetable for the future decision.

Sharon Cousins, Licensing Manager at Selby District Council clarified that a single zone would enable drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles to work anywhere across the county, increasing the availability of that vehicle type for wheelchair users.

Having noted the report, the Executive

Resolved – That:

i.     The provisions of Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (other than section 45) be adopted within the administrative area of North Yorkshire Council, with effect from the 1 April 2023, with the caveat of the decision only taking effect if the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy has been adopted for the 1 April 2023; 

 ii.    The proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as shown in Appendix 1 of the report be endorsed; 

 iii.   A 12-week public consultation on the new North Yorkshire Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy be commenced.    

Considered –

The Forward Plan for the period 10 October 2022 to 31 October 2023 was presented.

Resolved -   That the Forward Plan be noted.

In regard to a vacancy in the Shareholder Committee membership, the Executive

Resolved - That Cllr Derek Bastiman be appointed to the Shareholder Committee