Issue - meetings

This report sets out Reinvigorate York Board’s suggested suite of projects aimed at creating significant improvements to the quality of key public spaces within the city centre. Members are requested to approve EIF investment in the Reinvigorate York programme.

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet approves Economic Infrastructure Fund investment of £3.3m in the Reinvigorate York programme, as set out in the report paragraphs 29 to 45, subject to more detailed costings, feasibility work and updates on individual projects as they develop. The £3.3m budget to be initially allocated as follows:

2012/13     £500,000

2013/14     £1.3m and

2014/15     £1.5m

REASON:            To support the Council Plan priorities of creating jobs,      growing the economy and investing in the city’s economic future.        

Members considered a report which set out details of a number of projects aimed at creating significant improvements to the quality of a series of key public spaces within the city centre. These improvements had been put forward by the Reinvigorate York Board with the aims of reinvigorating the city centre economy, increasing footfall, improving quality of life, increasing the sense of York as a special place and maintaining the city as a top tourist destination.

A draft work plan and a programme for delivery of the following key spaces had been set out at Annexes 1 and 2 of the report. Further details of each of the projects was also detailed at paragraphs 29 to 45:

·        Parliament Street (including Piccadilly/Coppergate Junction)

·        King’s Square

·        Exhibition Square/St Leonard’s Place/Bootham Bar

·        Fossgate/Pavement

·        Duncombe Place/Blake Street

·        Micklegate

An analysis of benefits for the city in this investment together with city case studies was reported at paragraphs 48 to 68 of the report.

Cabinet Members stressed the importance of this investment which would play a key part in the future success of the city centre and ensure the city could compete with other similar heritage cities.

Officers confirmed that Ward Members would be kept fully informed via regular briefings on progress on these projects.

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:       That Cabinet approves Economic Infrastructure Fund investment of £3.3m in the Reinvigorate York programme, as set out in the report paragraphs 29 to 45, subject to more detailed costings, feasibility work and updates on individual projects as they developed. The £3.3m budget to be initially allocated as follows:

2012/13     £500,000

2013/14     £1.3m and

2014/15     £1.5m ^1.

REASON:            To support the Council Plan priorities of creating jobs,      growing the economy and investing in the city’s economic future.