City of York Council headquarters at West Offices COUNCILLORS were advised not to comment on a damning public interest report into the council s handling of the payout to the former chief executive. City of York Council s barrister sent legal advice to councillors when the independent auditors report was published, saying councillors and officers should say they cannot comment for legal reasons if asked about the document. Public interest reports are issued when a significant matter is brought to the notice of auditors and they need to bring it to the attention of the council and the public. A letter to councillors from the council barrister, seen by The Press, says: My opinion is that if asked to comment on Mazars’ report or the agreement in advance of any public meeting arranged pursuant to Schedule 7, City of York Council officers and members should simply state that they are not able to do so for legal reasons and that the report will be addressed at a later mee
Ian Floyd, City of York Council chief operating officer, and Mary Weastell, former chief executive THE Public Interest Report issued to City of York Council this week is the local authority’s second in five years. The reports are relatively rare for upper tier councils – since 2016 only four have been issued, to Nottingham City Council, London Borough of Croydon, Northampton Borough Council and this week City of York Council. Auditors scrutinising councils’ yearly accounts publish Public Interest Reports when they find “a significant matter” that they want to bring to the attention of the public and council. In 2016 York received a Public Interest Report over the way top council officers were paid thousands of pounds extra to run the authority’s trading company, City of York Trading.
28 new polling stations created in York ahead of upcoming elections THERE are 28 new polling stations in York to create Covid-19 secure voting in the upcoming May election. The City of York Council said the new additions will allow for safe voting and continuous schooling with those affected set to be notified ahead of May 6, 2021. The decision was made after the Council found that some stations were no longer available or safe to use. All electors have been sent their poll card which tells them where their polling station will be located.
What voters need to know A full list of polling stations for the May 2021 elections and the changes can be found on the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election polling stations section of the Council website.
The flat at half-mast at Mansion House THE flag was lowered to half-mast at York s historic Mansion House as City of York Council leaders paid tribute to Prince Philip. The flag was also flying at half-mast at the council s headquarters, West Offices. Council leader Keith Aspden offered his condolences to the Queen and the Royal Family. He said: From serving in the Second World War and his many years of dedicated public service, to his work in supporting charities and organisations across the UK and the world, there has been a great deal to admire. Our thoughts and prayers are with The Queen and His Royal Highness family at this sad time.
Cllr Nigel Ayre, inset, and West Offices, City of York Council headquarters JOBS may be at risk at City of York Council - as the cash-strapped local authority looks to balance its books in tough financial circumstances. Budget papers propose more than £1.4 million in savings linked to staffing reductions, reviews and efficiencies in the next two years. No further information has been released but Cllr Danny Myers asked senior councillors if they are aware of the scale of the expected job losses that they could be agreeing to if the budget is approved. Speaking at a meeting of the executive, he said: I m trying to understand if you have been made aware of that detail, which I think is incredibly important.