Draft minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members were invited to declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor D’Agorne declared a standing personal interest as an employee of York College.

No other interests were declared.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

The Task Group received a report which presented information on current practice and best practice in from other Local Authorities.

Officers reported that a steering group had recently been established which would attempt to broker funding for recruitment and training in the local market. Further details were discussed regarding membership of the steering group.

Suggestions for membership of the group included;

·        The Director of City and Environmental Services

·        Assistant Director for Development Services, Planning and Regeneration

·        The Head of Economic Development

Officers underlined that the establishment of the group, confirmation of meeting dates and venues were still in the early stages of development. It was suggested that the Task Group could attend this meeting.

Discussion took place between Members on what the review should focus on. Members felt that it was important to examine how the Council engaged with smaller developers, as they felt there was a gap in the provision of support offered with this group. Some suggested that perhaps the Task Group should formulate a recommendation to the Steering Group, rather than just to produce a report for consideration by other Members.

It was suggested that the Scrutiny Officers formulate questions for Members to ask when they met smaller developers from the Property Forum of York’s Chamber of Commerce in December. Members added that if a sheet of questions were circulated at the meeting, that an email address be added for attendees to reply.

They also asked for a list of the membership of the forum to be circulated.

Further discussion took place on how the Task Group could engage with smaller construction companies who were not part of the York Chamber of Commerce. It was suggested that a set of questions be put into the Federation of Small Business newsletter.

Resolved:  (i)      That the report be noted.

                   (ii)      That the methods for progressing the review, as                        detailed in Paragraphs 37-40 of the report and                      timetable at Annex A to the report be agreed.

                   (iii)     That further information on the Property Forum                          be circulated to Members.

                   (iv)    That Scrutiny Officers produce questions on                                        behalf of the Task Group to circulate at the                                 Property Forum in December.

Reason:              To progress this scrutiny review in line with                                scrutiny procedures and protocols.