Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests which they may have in respect of the business on the agenda.

During discussion of Item 45. Castle Gateway Project Councillors Cuthbertson and Gates K Myers (as amended at the meeting on 10 May 2017) declared a non-pecuniary interest as they were council appointed trustees of York Museums Trust.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Economic & City Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 18 January 2017.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of 18 January 2017 be approved as a correct record and then signed by the Chair.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered their wish to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is by 5:00pm on Tuesday 7 March 2017.

To register please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of this agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting will be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at: http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at:

http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme on the following item.

8. Air Quality Report

Mr Dave Merrett spoke on issues relating to Air Quality and Public Health and the failure to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ). 

This report provides details of the 2016/17 forecast outturn position for both finance and performance across services within the Economy and Place Directorate. The paper incorporates data to December 2016 as reported to Executive on 9^th February 2017.

Members considered a report which provided details of the 2016/17 forecast outturn position for both finance and performance across services within the Economy and Place Directorate. The paper incorporated data to December 2016, as reported to the Executive on 9 February 2017.

Officers gave a brief background to the report and answered Member questions stating that:

·        The recent statutory increase in planning fees would be used to improve the speed with which applications were handled.

·        Penalty charges were not included in the figures for parking operations.

·        The roll out of fibre optic in the City would undoubtedly have an impact on roads and pathways, however CYC were satisfied that, after completion of works, they would be left in a condition which met statutory requirements.

·        It was too early to tell what the impact of increased business rates would be.

In response to a question on the gender pay gap it was suggested that an Economic Strategy & Policy Officer provide an update for the next meeting.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To update the scrutiny committee of the latest finance and performance position.

This report introduces a further update on the work of the York Business Improvement District.

Members considered a report which provided an update on the work of the York Business Improvement District (BID).

The Executive Director of York BID was in attendance and provided further information on the issues raised at the meeting in September 2016, as outlined in paragraph 5 of the report.

During discussion with members the following answers were given:

·        There were no major overlaps in street cleansing with the work already undertaken by the Council. Businesses could call if there were cleanliness issues outside of their premises. Deep cleansing generally took place in the evenings.

·        In relation to aggressive begging and ’chugging’, BID rangers had been trained to deal with these issues and ways to tackle them were currently being trialled. The main remit of the BID rangers was prevention and there had been discussion of the possible promotion of river safety and the use of taxi rank marshals.

·        Additional recycling bins were being discussed and there would be a further meeting later in the month to progress this.

·        BID were supporting Make It York to add value to existing events and festivals – for instance sponsoring ice sculptures on streets with less footfall to encourage more visitors.

·        ‘Indie York’ was not being led by the BID but they were fully supportive of this initiative to promote the City’s independent offering.

·        Provision of additional street furniture and secure cycle racks was also under discussion.

·        Employee salary details were confidential but they were currently meeting or exceeding the living wage.

·        There appeared to be no general consensus among BID members as to the impact of the ‘A Board’ ban.

·        The ‘Winter Lights’ would be in place again from November 2017 to February 2018 after the success of 2016/17. The BID funded lights on the medieval Bars and are looking to extend the Winter Lights programme.

Resolved:  That the update on the work of York Business Improvement District be noted.

Reason:     To inform the committee on the progress of the York BID.

This paper presents the report on the Castle Gateway project that was considered by the Executive at their meeting in January 2017.  The report presents the committee with the opportunity to explore the economic development and transport implications of the recommendations that are set out in the report, all of which were approved by the Executive.

Members considered a paper which presented the report on the Castle Gateway project that had been considered by the Executive at their meeting in January 2017. Members were invited to consider the economic development and transport implications of the recommendations that had been set out in the report, all of which had been approved by the Executive. Members were also asked to identify any area of ongoing scrutiny.

Officers gave a brief background to the report and in response to Member questions stated:

·        The Foss Basin had been identified as an area that could be put to greater use. The Environment Agency were advising on use of this area more widely.

·        In terms of traffic on Tower Street, this issue would be dependant on the location of replacement car parks.

·        Governance arrangements for the development were yet to be finalised.

·        It was important that there be urban accommodation alongside commercial properties within the area to create the right balance in the heart of the City.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To enable the committee to consider the Executive approval for the vision and delivery of the Castle Gateway regeneration project.

This report outlines key elements in York's Access Fund Project and identifies ways in which the work to be undertaken will enable better traffic flow, improving air quality, reducing pollution and supporting modal shift to sustainable forms of transport.

The document provides further information to assist Members in a preliminary discussion of the recent transport workshops for members provided by Professors Tony May and Greg Marsden of York Civic Trust and to enable Members to make further progress towards a decision as to whether there would be added value in undertaking a scrutiny review on Modal Shift as a single topic.

Members considered a report which outlined key elements in York’s Access Fund Project and which identified ways in which the work to be undertaken would enable better traffic flow, reduce pollution and support modal shift to sustainable forms of transport. It was noted that the impact on air quality would be particularly relevant to potential future scrutiny reviews.

Officers gave a brief background report and answered questions from Members. They clarified that vehicles could be fitted with connectivity technology. This would allow smoother transitions which would have a positive effect on air quality and maintain the momentum of traffic flow. Just 10% connectivity would be enough to allow a more efficient flow of traffic.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To inform Members of Access Fund York 2017- 2020 and the Cooperative Intelligent Transport System.

This report presents information on a Motion around Air Quality submitted to Council for consideration in accordance with Standing Order 23.1.

Members considered a report which presented information on a Motion around Air Quality which had been submitted to Council for consideration in accordance with Standing Order 23.1. The Motion was detailed in paragraph 5 of the report.

Officers gave a brief background to the report and explained that the motion had originally been referred to CSMC, ahead of Members deciding that it was best considered by this Committee, given their level of expertise and the regular Air Quality reports they received.

The Corporate Director of Economy and Place reiterated to Members that it was important that the motion be dealt with by a committee who had the expertise to understand the impact it may have. It was therefore recommended not to refer the motion back to Council until a cost benefit analysis had been considered.

In response to questions from members Officers stated:

·        The implementation of a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) would be subject to an Economic Impact Test.

·        Park & Ride buses in the City met Euro 6 emission standards.

·        York tour buses were in the process of being retrofitted to meet Euro 6 standards.

Members then considered the options that were available to the Committee, as detailed in paragraphs 6 and 7 of the report.

Resolved:     That;

1.   Members agree the Motion raises issues that require further and more detailed scrutiny and agree to initiate a scrutiny review.

2.   A Task Group be formed to undertake this review, comprising of  Councillors D. Myers, D’Agorne, Cuthbertson and Richardson.

Reason:     To ensure air quality issues affecting the city are given the due consideration they require.

This report provides the committee with the information gathered to date by the Task Group set up to examine the Impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on the Economy of York

Members considered a report which provided the information gathered to date by the Task Group set up to examine the Impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on the Economy of York.

Councillor Looker gave a brief update on the work of the Task Group. Members were invited to suggest any additional organisations which might make useful contributions to the review.

Resolved:  That;

1.   the work on the review to date be noted.

2.   to enable there to be meetings with the remaining consultees, the review be carried over into the new municipal year.

Reason:     To enable the Task Group to proceed with work on the agreed scrutiny review.

Members are asked to give consideration to the committee’s work plan for 2016/17.

Members gave consideration to the committee’s work plan for 2016/17.

Resolved:  That the work plan be approved subject to the following:

·        Air Quality Task Group report back (May)

·        Verbal report back on progress towards Modal Shift Scrutiny Review (May)

Reason:     To ensure that the committee has a planned programme of work in place.