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City Of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Decision Session - Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning |
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Date |
22 September 2020 |
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Present |
Councillor, Waller and Craghill |
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4. Declarations of Interest
The Executive Member were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in respect of the business on the agenda. None were declared.
5. Public Participation
It was reported that there had been one registration to speak
under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
Councillor Claire Douglas discussed items 5 and 6, she highlighted the risk of unemployment due to COVID-19 in sectors that see a high amount of employment in York, noting also that the impact would likely be felt very strongly by women due to the jobs at that were likely to be most at risk. She noted the need to ensure residents had access to quality training and suggested that the City Skills and Employment Board add both a significant city employer to add a first-hand view of employment and herself as the Shadow Spokesperson for Economic Development to promote cross party working to ensure the best outcomes for the city.
6. Review of Enforcement Activity
The Executive Member was joined in consultation by the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods to consider the item, he also noted that while he had received apologies form the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change he had consulted her views prior to the meeting.
The Executive Members considered the review planning enforcement action and activity undertaken between April 2019 and April 2020 by the planning enforcement service and enquired about the impact of COVID-19 on the service. Officers noted how work had been undertaken differently due to COVID-19 and highlighted that work had returned to business as usual but with practice practices in place. Changes to government guidance was also discussed due to changes which would see practices that were not previously being permitted and it was requested that these changes be reflected in the next report.
The review of enforcement activity by Public Protection and the National Trading Standards teams were also discussed, it was requested that the next review includes the context of how COVID-19 and the closure of the courts affected the two teams work.
The Executive Members also considered the review of enforcement action by the Housing Services and Community Safety teams. The breakdown of data was discussed and it was noted that a new case management system would allow further detail to be provided to future reviews and it was also discussed if data could be also broke down ward by ward. The impact of COVID-19 was also discussed including the impact of the closure of the courts.
Resolved:
i. Noted and approved the update on Formal Planning Enforcement Action.
Reason: To ensure Members are aware of the work currently being undertaken in Planning Enforcement and to provide oversight to the activity undertaken in the period.
ii. Noted and approved the Review of Enforcement Activity by Public Protection and the National Trading Standards teams.
Reason: To provide ensure enforcement activity undertaken in 2019-20 has been reviewed in accordance with the council’s enforcement policy, and meet the requirement of the surveillance commissioner for Member oversight of surveillance activity.
iii. Noted and approved the Review of Enforcement Action in Housing Services and Community Safety.
Reason: To provide ensure enforcement activity undertaken in 2019-20 has been reviewed in accordance with the council’s enforcement policy.
7. Food Service Plan 2020-21
The Food Services plan was discussed and it was requested that due to the impact of COVID-19 on the capacity and the ability to be able to undertake assessments, that future reports note the impact that COVID-19 had of the service. The positive support businesses were being provided by Public Protection were highlighted and it was requested that any future national policy changes be shared with the Executive Member.
Resolved:
i. The Food Service Plan was approved.
ii. The Executive Member to be updated on any national policy changes in relation to COVID-19.
Reason: This will ensure that the council has a plan to fulfil its
obligations under the Food Law Code of Practice and remain compliant with national COVID-19 policy.
8. Covid Recovery Skills Strategy and Communication Plan
The Executive Member considered the terms of reference and remit of a City Skills and Employment Board and task and finish group. It was noted that partnership board would develop
the strategy within the framework set by York’s 10 year and 1
year recovery strategies and the York Economic Strategy. The importance of ensuring that partners were working together to develop sustainable businesses in York was highlighted and the need to ensure government announcements for investments are channelled into where it is needed, as well as, highlighting what further funding could be required especially in relation to the impact of COVID-19. The importance of retaining the apprenticeship levy was highlighted alongside the council’s levy strategy.
The membership of the board was discussed and it was noted that this would be confirmed by Director for Economy and Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning.
Resolved:
i. Confirm the Terms of Reference and remit of the City Skills and Employment Board.
ii. The final composition of the City Skills and Employment Board to be delegated to the Director for Economy and Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning.
iii. Agree the framework within which a new Adult Learning and Skills Strategy will be developed, for endorsement at the City Skills and Employment Board and with final formal consideration and adoption by the council’s Executive including a communication plan to support widespread community engagement.
Reason: In order to agree a Terms of Reference and remit of the City Skills and Employment Board and framework and agree the framework within which a new Adult Learning and Skills Strategy will be developed.
9. Quarterly Economic Update
Officers gave a presentation on York’s Economic Strategy, as well as, the impact of COVID-19 on York’s economy and the council’s response. The Executive Member considered the report in light of York’s 1 year and 10 year strategy and discussed the challenges presented by COVID-19. He highlighted the need for national policy to support local economies, citing his letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer outlining the need for government to support the hospitality and transport sectors, both of which are important to York. The work of the CBI was also noted in establishing a narrative highlighting the support certain sectors needed due to COVID-19.
Community Hubs that we set up to support people that were affected by COVID-19, were identified as being able to offer the first steps of support and advice to local residents who may lose their jobs. It was also noted that businesses struggling to get support could contact the council via economicgrowth@york.gov.uk.
Resolved:
i. Noted the contents of the report and agreed that further updates on Community Hubs, Consideration of the Council as a landlord, Restarting of My City Centre, Inclusive Growth, Economic Strategy, Economic Partnership, and Responding to Government Advice be brought to future Decision Sessions.
ii. To publicise that businesses in York that identify unintended consequences of new Government guidelines or restrictions can contact the Council via economicgrowth@york.gov.uk
Reason: To support York’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cllr A Waller, Executive Member
[The meeting started at 10.00 am and finished at 11.37 am].