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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 |
24 January 2023 |
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Present |
Councillor Mason |
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Officers in attendance |
Simon Brereton, Head of Economy Becky Eades, Head of Planning and Development Services Guy Hanson, Design and Sustainability Manager Ed Freedman, Conservation Officer |
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19. Declarations of Interest (16:02)
The Executive Member was asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registerable interests he might have in respect of business on the agenda, if he had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. None were declared.
20. Minutes (16:02)
Resolved: That the minutes of the two previous meetings held on 25 October and 1 November 2022 be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Executive Member.
21. Public Participation (16:03)
It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
Councillor Kilbane spoke on agenda item 4 - Quarterly Economic Update. He raised some concerns with the inclusive growth fund and its application in the city, and argued for targeted intervention to ensure resources and money was not spent on already affluent wards. He noted that there was a 10 year life expectancy difference between the poorest and most affluent wards before he requested that income inequality across York forms part of regular updates in Finance and Major Projects decision sessions.
Nicholas Allen spoke on agenda item 5 - Article 4 Direction - Heslington. He spoke of his experience in conservation work and in the Heslington Village Trust before he urged the council to adopt the Article 4 Direction. He explained that there was wide support from the local community and the Parish Councils, as exemplified by the well-attended public meetings and consultations, to protect and enhance the character of the Village.
22. Quarterly Economic Update (16:09)
The Executive Member considered a report that provided an update on the local financial climate, core business support activity and Council-led initiatives, an update on the national and local economy, key account management work, events and initiatives, progress against major milestones, and inward investment work.
The Head of Economy outlined the report and noted that:
· Businesses were still reporting increased costs of doing business and recruitment remained a challenge across the economy. However, there was a high demand for workspace and commercial properties in York.
· York Business Festival was delivered throughout November 2022 and over 1,000 businesses attended the Festival.
· The Council were still awaiting news in regards to the Great British Rail bid.
· The Council’s Business Growth and Inward Investment teams were actively working across the economy and projects, such as the York BID film, were key to increasing inward investment. There were also new roles in the Council to promote this further.
· The City’s Economic Strategy was agreed by the Council’s Executive on 22 November 2022 and was ratified by the full Council on 15 December 2022.
· City of York Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan received Government approval in December 2022.
· The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings highlighted that York’s median full-time weekly pay continued to be higher than the surrounding areas but was average in comparison to the national levels. Pay levels were increasing but were below inflation rates.
· York’s claimant count had stabilised with 2,440 people claiming out of work benefits in November 2022, which was 700 more than the levels before Covid-19.
· Job vacancies were closely monitored with 3,071 vacancies advertised within 5 miles of York City Centre in January 2023.
In response to questions from the Executive Member, the Officer explained that the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings figures were only accessible at a city-wide level due to how results were collected. He also stated that the Executive Member would receive an update on the Inclusive Growth Fund and a report on Inward Investment at the next meeting in March 2023.
Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted.
Reason: To support York’s ongoing economic work and monitor how York is performing from an economic perspective.
23. Article 4 Direction - Heslington (16:28)
The Executive Member considered a report that provided an update on and the confirmation of the Article 4 Direction covering a variety of buildings within the Heslington Conservation Area. The Head of Planning and Development Services outlined the report and noted that:
· Article 4 would see the removal of permitted development rights in relation to extensions and alterations of dwelling houses.
· The area covered by Article 4 would exclude listed and modern buildings.
· The direction was created on 9 June 2022, the notice was provided to affected parties and the 6 week consultation began on 10 June 2022.
· The Council received 5 responses from affected parties with no objections.
In response to questions from the Executive Member, the Officer explained that the Council had noted the response from York Civic Trust and explained that this could be a conflict in the future but that it was taken into account to make a balanced decision for the area. She also confirmed that making changes to buildings could be done through applying for planning permissions.
The Conservation Officer then stated that the Executive Member’s decision would be sent out to all the parties affected and the Secretary of State.
Resolved: That the confirmation of the Direction be authorised.
Reason: Officers consider that it is expedient to confirm the Direction due to the convincing justification for strengthening planning control in the Heslington Conservation Area; local support for doing so; and the availability of external funding and adequate resources.
Councillor Mason, Executive Member
[The meeting started at 4.02 pm and finished at 4.32 pm].