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 |
21 October 2020 |
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Present |
Councillor Waller |
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Apologies |
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10. 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.
11. Minutes
Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22
September 2020 be approved as a correct record and
signed by the Executive Member at a later date.
12. Public Participation
It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
13. Inclusive Growth Fund Update
Officers provided an update on the Inclusive Growth Initiatives Fund and noted that they had reviewed programs in the initiative, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 on York’s economy and potential access to jobs. The Executive Member requested future updates on the progress of the fund and highlighted that the need for the work outlined in the different programs was likely now in greater need because of the impact of COVID-19. Discussion took place around the programs within the Inclusive Growth Initiatives Fund and the Executive Member thanked City of York Council staff and volunteers for their work in setting up the York Community Hubs.
Resolved:
i. Note the progress that has been made on the agreed projects and to thank officers and volunteers who have responded to the COVID-19 crisis;
ii. To continue the Programme, where external funding can be achieved to deliver the original objective to then permit diverting some of the funding to support the most vulnerable – those out of work, and at risk of being so, young people entering the labour market, and small independent businesses. Detailed decisions could be delegated in consultation to the Corporate Director for Economy and Place. Should proceed given the impact of COVID 19.
Reason: So that the Council nurtures a pipeline of projects that
positively address inclusive growth in the City of York, and focusses funding where it is most needed.
14. Economic Strategy & Partnership Update
Officers outlined the work that had been undertaken towards a new economic strategy and partnership for the city. They outlined the work that would take place between November 2020 and January 2021, before a further update was brought back to the Executive Member. It was also proposed that the Council consider the expansion of the membership to the Business Leaders Group to properly represent Council’s inclusive growth ambitions and the city as a whole.
The Executive Member noted the importance of referring the report to the Council’s Economy & Place Policy Scrutiny Committee for review. Discussion took place around a number of topics in relation to the strategy and the Executive Member highlighted the LEP’s support for electric vehicle training at York College and requested a future report on the Council’s Green Jobs Strategy, aiming to increase employment in the city within the developing industry.
Resolved:
i. Note the revised approach to developing the Council’s Economic Strategy following Covid-19;
ii. Agree to expand the membership of the Business Leaders Group so that it reflects the Council’s inclusive growth ambitions, and represents the city as a whole;
iii. Refer this report to the Council’s Economy & Place Policy Scrutiny Committee for review;
iv. That a report to understand what green jobs could be developed in York to be brought to a future Economy and Strategic Planning Decision Session by March 2021;
v. That a scheme be developed to show how banks are supporting York’s economy.
Reason: To support York’s economic recovery from Covid-19.
Cllr A Waller, Executive Memeber
[The meeting started at 2.00 pm and finished at 2.44 pm].