Issue - meetings

This report asks the Executive to decide whether they wish York to be considered as a site for a Big Screen.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the public consultation on whether a Big Screen should be established in York take place as part of the LDF build process and that the Big Screen option be added to the ‘Issues and Options’ consultation on the City Centre Area Action Plan.

                        (ii)        That potential sites for a temporary screen be identified.

                        (iii)       That the preferred long-term location for any screen would be to integrate it within a new development such as Hungate, and that Officers be requested to appraise this option further as opportunities arise.

REASON:      To take advantage of the opportunity to showcase the culture and heritage of the City and provide an outlet for local higher education training, subject to testing the views of local residents and finding a suitable site which will not have a negative impact on the historic environment.

Members considered a report which asked them to decide whether they wished York to be considered as a site for a Big Screen.

Big Screens were part of the BBC’s 2012 ‘Livesites’ initiative, which aimed to roll out a nationwide network of 30-60 Big Screens across the country by 2012.  Screens had already been installed in a number of cities and there was likely to be a further roll out of the programme from next year.  A primary requisite for consideration was to have planning permission in place.  With such permission, York would be a strong applicant.  Screens would only be considered for high profile city-centre locations, would network nationally and internationally and were expected to broadcast local as well as national content.  Given the potential impact on the historic environment, it was considered that the new St John Square, in Hungate, would be the best long-term site for a Big Screen in York.  However, in view of the delay to the Hungate development, waiting for this site could result in York losing out.

Members were asked to consider whether to approve further feasibility work relating to a Big Screen for York.  Subject to that approval, it was suggested that that options for its location be considered in the context of the City Centre Area Action Plan, in particular the Issues and Options paper, which was open to consultation until 22 September. 

Having noted the comments of the Shadow Executive on this item, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That the public consultation on whether a Big Screen should be established in York take place as part of the LDF build process and that the Big Screen option be added to the ‘Issues and Options’ consultation on the City Centre Area Action Plan.¹

                        (ii)        That potential sites for a temporary screen be identified.²

                        (iii)       That the preferred long-term location for any screen would be to integrate it within a new development such as Hungate, and that Officers be requested to appraise this option further as opportunities arise.³

REASON:      To take advantage of the opportunity to showcase the culture and heritage of the City and provide an outlet for local higher education training, subject to testing the views of local residents and finding a suitable site which will not have a negative impact on the historic environment.