Agenda item

To approve the annual business plan (in light of agreed SLA priorities).

Members considered an update from Make it York presented by the company’s Managing Director and Head of Finance. It was noted that the company had performed stronglysince the last update to the committee, winning several awards, while visitor numbers and web statistics had been strong for events including the St Nicholas Fair Christmas Market, Residents’ Festival, Haunted York campaign, Ice Trail and Snooks Trail. Membership retention was high at 84% and events for members including a sold-out conference had proven successful. Governance had been improved with a stronger focus on outputs and member feedback, while finances had also improved despite a challenging year, with year-end profit higher than expected.

In response to questions from the committee it was noted that Visitor Pass figures were lower than last year for several reasons including strong post-Covid performance in 2022-23, the impact of bad weather and industrial action on the railways, and lower investment in pass marketing. Investment in promoting the pass was due to be increased this year, and new ways of incentivising use of the pass were being considered. Clarification on the figures in Annex A for Airbnb listings in the city would be provided to members. The committee also offered congratulations to the Managing Director on the receipt of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Yorkshire Businesswoman Awards.

[Between 17:04 and 17:29 the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of Confidential Appendices 1-4 and 7 to the report].

Resolved:

             i.             To note the MIY Shareholder Report at Annex A and the supporting documents from Appendix 1 to Appendix 7 supplied by MIY.

            ii.             To approve the Annual Business Plan (Service Delivery Plan)at Appendix 5;

          iii.             To approve the appointment of the new Board Non-Executive Director.

Reason:   To ensure the Council is updated on the financial performance of MIY and approve the business plan and new Board Non-Executive Director.