Decision details

Purpose of report: This report reports back on a programme of public consultation, to examine in more detail the boundary options for a York World Heritage Site, to await advice to potential World Heritage sites from Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Members are asked to: Consider the recommendation that York should apply for a place on a revised Tentative List of UK World Heritage sites.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the DCMS’s proposal to adopt a new, short UK Tentative List and the two-stage nomination and decision process to create the new UK Tentative List be supported.

REASON:      The DCMS preferred proposal is a cost effective means of gaining nomination to a revised Tentative List.

(ii)               That it be agreed that:

a.      A Stage 1 application be submitted for nomination to the new UK Tentative List, based on Option 3 and

b.      If successful at Stage 1, a Stage 2 application be submitted for nomination to the new UK Tentative List.

REASON:      This is the only route available to be nominated to a revised UK Tentative List.  Option 3 offers the best fit to the Statement of Significance and acknowledges the case that York is of outstanding universal value and merits World Heritage status.

(iii)             That approaches and investigations to secure partnership funding to facilitate the early appointment of a World Heritage Site Project Officer be supported.

REASON:      To facilitate further promotion of, and possible early delivery on, some of the key benefits outlined in the report and allow work to commence in good time to develop the more detailed bid information, by reducing the burden on existing Council Officers.

(iv)              That the Executive be updated on progress at each stage and that a further report on partnership, finance, timetable, HR and other arrangements be brought to the Executive if York is successful at Stage 2.

REASON:      To ensure that the Executive is fully aware of progress, and to enable decisions to be taken on key issues if York is successful in gaining nomination to a revised UK Tentative List.