Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to undertake an economic masterplan for the City, to establish a York Renaissance Team and to create a York Renaissance Academy providing training and development in place-making for existing staff and the new team, to be funded by Yorkshire Forward.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the proposal set out in the report be endorsed and that approval be given for:

a)     The preparation of an economic masterplan for the City, to be funded by Yorkshire Forward and completed by May 2010;

b)     The creation of a York Renaissance Team consisting of six officers on three-year fixed term contract, employed by City of York Council and funded by Yorkshire Forward and English Heritage;

c)      The establishment of a York Renaissance Academy to enhance staff skills in ‘place-making’, to be funded by Yorkshire Forward.

REASON:            To provide greater certainty for future investment in the City.

                        (ii)        That updates be requested on how the economic masterplan will improve the sustainability objectives of the Council and the Local Strategic Partnership in developing York as an example of a low carbon economy, and the stimulation of local jobs and training during future developments in the City.

REASON:      To keep the Executive informed on the benefits that the economic masterplan is expected to bring to the City.

Members considered a report which sought approval for a proposal to undertake an economic masterplan for the City, establish a York Renaissance Team and create a York Renaissance Academy.

The idea of an economic masterplan had originated from a recommendation of the Future York Group and a subsequent review of the Sustainable Community Strategy approved by the Council last year.  The need for a masterplan, and a positive approach to attract investment to development sites in York, had further increased in recent times.  Discussions had taken place with Yorkshire Forward and English Heritage on how best to take forward this initiative and both organisations had now given their approval to the proposal outlined in the report, namely a programme encompassing:

·        An economic masterplan and visioning exercise, to be funded by Yorkshire Forward

·        The creation of a York Renaissance Team consisting of 6 extra posts for 3 years, funded by Yorkshire Forward and English Heritage

·        The development of a Renaissance Academy in York, to enhance staff skills in ‘place-making’, funded by Yorkshire Forward.

A strategic board involving the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive and the Director of City Strategy, with representation from Yorkshire Forward, English Heritage and the York Economic Partnership would be established to oversee the development of the programme.  Officers reported at the meeting that they had received assurances from Yorkshire Forward that the programme would not impact upon the timetable for the Local Development Framework.

Having noted the comments of the Labour Group on this item, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That the proposal set out in the report be endorsed and that approval be given for:

a)     The preparation of an economic masterplan for the City, to be funded by Yorkshire Forward and completed by May 2010;¹

b)     The creation of a York Renaissance Team consisting of six officers on three-year fixed term contract, employed by City of York Council and funded by Yorkshire Forward and English Heritage;²

c)      The establishment of a York Renaissance Academy to enhance staff skills in ‘place-making’, to be funded by Yorkshire Forward. ³

REASON:            To provide greater certainty for future investment in the City.

                        (ii)        That updates be requested on how the economic masterplan will improve the sustainability objectives of the Council and the Local Strategic Partnership in developing York as an example of a low carbon economy, and the stimulation of local jobs and training during future developments in the City. ⁴

REASON:      To keep the Executive informed on the benefits that the economic masterplan is expected to bring to the City.