Economy and Place Policy and Scrutiny Committee	23 February 2021
Report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer

ECONOMIC RECOVERY STRATEGY UPDATE - INFORMATION ONLY REPORT

Summary

1. This report provides an update on the economic recovery strategy.

Background

2. Members received an update on the economic recovery and partnership at the previous committee meeting on 24 November 2020.

3. At his Decision Session on 22 December 2020, the Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning received a report detailing the quarterly economic update (Annex A). At this Decision Session, the Executive Member noted the update in order to support the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same Decision Session, the Executive Member also received a skills and employment update (Annex B) and agreed the approach to be taken with the Skills and Employment Board. This was discussed by the joint meeting of the committee and Children, Education and Communities Policy and Scrutiny Committee held on 1 February 2021.

4. The Executive was presented with an update on the recovery and renewal strategy on 26 November 2020 which included an update on the activity to support economic recovery (Annex C).

5. The Executive received a further update at their meeting on 11 February which detailed the response work related not only to Covid-19 but simultaneous concerns around flooding, pressures upon discharge from hospital and cold weather. The impacts of Brexit were  considered, alongside the need for the safe reopening of the city when restrictions allowed. (Annex D).

6. The Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning received an update on the economic strategy progress at his Decision Session on 26 January 2021. At this session he agreed the business engagement activity be undertaken on the Council’s Economic Strategy in late spring/early summer 2021 and that efforts be maintained to ensure that York’s voice was heard on national infrastructure programs, that the use of Government funding be maximised and reported in the economic quarterly update and that work to assist young people into employment be endeavoured (Annex E).

Consultation

7. As this report is for information only there has been no consultation.

Options

8. Having considered the information in this report and its annexes Members can agree to seek further information on any of the  issues raised, or not.

Analysis

9. There is no analysis provided in this report as the Council’s approach to recovery and renewal is properly examined in the annexed reports, which were duly considered by the Executive and Executive Member.

Council Plan

10. The Council Plan identifies eight priorities, four of which are relevant to this work:

·  Well-paid jobs and an inclusive economy; and,

· An open and effective council.

Implications

11. The following implications have been considered:

• Financial – no implications

• Human Resources (HR) – no implications

• Equalities – no implications.    

• Legal – no implications

• Crime and Disorder – no implications.

• Information Technology (IT) – no implications.

• Property – no implications.

Risk Management

12. No risks identified.

Recommendations

13. The Committee is asked to note the content of this report and it’s annexes.

Reason:     In order to be updated on the progress of York’s approach to the economic recovery strategy.

Contact Details Author:	Chief Officer Responsible for the report:
Angela Bielby Democracy Officer Tel: 01904 552599 a.bielby@york .gov.uk	Janie Berry Director of Governance Janie.berry@york.gov.uk
	Report Approved	P	Date	15/2/21
Wards Affected:  List wards or tick box to indicate all					All	P
For further information please contact the author of the report

Annexes

Annex A - Quarterly Economic Update Report presented at Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning Decision Session on 22 December 2020

Annex B - Skills and Employment Update Report presented at Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning Decision Session on 22 December 2020

Annex C – Recovery and Renewal Update presented at Executive on 26 November 2020

Annex D – Recovery and Renewal Update presented at Executive on 11 February 2021

Annex E – Economic Strategy Update Report presented at Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning Decision Session on 26 January 2021