Decision details

Purpose of Report: To provide Members with background information in relation to the options available to the Council to afford greater protection to public houses including Article 4 Directions and the assets of community value register.

Members will be asked to consider a number of options relating to protecting public houses.

Resolved:   That having considered  the options,  recommendation of the Local Plan Working Group and the various representations Executive agree for:

(i)           Council to build on Option one in the report and to note the desire of the Local Plan Working Group to go above and beyond this in proactively encourage awareness of protecting community pubs with ACV’s (Assets of Community Value), including featuring in the Our City newsletter;

(ii)          The important role of ward councillors in pinpointing pubs and other community assets for consideration for protection be acknowledged and a member briefing note and all member sessions be organised; other interested parties including Parish Councillors and Residents Associations to be allowed to attend.

(iii)        A dedicated page on the council website be set-up to provide guidance on the process for registering as an ACV. This page to include links to where user friendly advice on making an application can be found.

(iv)        A press release be sent to relevant media outlets, working with interested parties including York CAMRA and pub landlords offering interviews / photo opportunities, emphasising work on pub protection;

(v)         An investigation of a collaboration with local media outlets similar to that of ‘Be Vocal For Your Local’;

(vi)        Continuing work with interested parties including York CAMRA and pub landlords in the formulation of pub friendly planning law within the Local Plan to ensure as and when there are planning applications the Local Plan is robust enough to stop inappropriate development that would be detrimental to a particular pub and associated community.

(vii)      Continuing to monitor the workload and associated costs of work being done, mindful of what is legally required and also how potentially working with other interested parties saves the council work.

Reason:     To more widely promote the assets of community value register and to provide communities with guidance on how pubs can be nominated and protected through the register, with the aim to ensure that valued public houses are afforded protection from change of use and demolition.