Decision details

Purpose of Report: To agree that York should be part of the GBR HQ competition process as set out by the Great British Railways Transition Team. The draft expression of interest will be shared with the Executive Member for Policy, Strategy and Partnerships in advance of the decision session. It will then be published in advance of the meeting - noting the deadline for submissions is 16 March and York is in competition with several other locations.

The Executive Member will be asked to agree to formally submit an Expression of Interest that shares evidence about why York is the ideal location for GBR HQ in response to the competition for a new HQ location.

The Council aims to give the same 28 days’ clear notice of non-key decisions as it does for key decisions, but in exceptional circumstances this may not be possible. It has not been possible to give 28 clear days’ notice of the intention to make this decision because the terms for the competition, which we are entering, were only made available on 6 February 2022.

Resolved:

                   i.        The Leader of the Council noted the considerable benefits of York being home to Great British Railways HQ;

                  ii.        Approved the submission of a formal expression of

interest signalling the Council’s intent;

                 iii.        Agreed the expression of interest will be a joint submission from York, North Yorkshire and Y&NY LEP and will follow extensive consultation with city partners, lead members and rail leaders.

                iv.        To delegate the authority to finalise and submit the  expression of interest to the Chief Operating Officer following consultation with the Leader of the Council, in accordance with the recommendations above and within the competition deadline of 16 March 2022.

Reason:    The competition deadline is 16 March 2022, with several cities and towns indicating interest. To avoid revealing our evidence too early, it is proposed that the expression of interest is not publicly shared before the competition deadline. As part of  the consultation process it will first be shared with city partners and rail leaders to ensure an accurate reflection of York’s  strengths. The joint expression of interest demonstrates the importance GBR and the rail sector has for the whole of the region, and the collaboration of the North Yorkshire Local Authorities who support York becoming the home of GBR.