Issue - meetings

This report provides the Board with information on current and future plans for the development of Science City York (SCY) which has been a key part of the city’s economic strategy for the last 8 years. The Board is invited to provide their input and comments, particularly the wider economic perspective in taking forward this work through the Science City York Strategy Board. 

Members considered a report that provided information on current and future plans for the development of Science City York (SCY) which had been a key part of the city’s economic strategy for the last 8 years. The Board was invited to provide their input and comments, particularly the wider economic perspective in taking forward this work through the Science City York Strategy Board.

A verbal summary was also given on the proposals being developed with Science City York for £2.63m funding made available to York from The Northern Way initiative (the same amount to Manchester and Newcastle also). Proposals involve advancing property options for SCY, including a SCY presence within 3 key developments, i.e. i) a SCY facility at the incubator facilities on the Science Park; ii) a SCY facility and new “grow on spec” at Vangarde; and iii) a SCY facility and Creative Industries Centre at Terry’s. A further University scheme may also emerge. It was noted that this funding needs to be drawn down by March 2008.

The following points were made:

·        The purpose of job growth was to develop the progression route for local people, so that workers could enhance careers and improve incomes.

·        It is recognised that some of the outputs generated by SCY will be located in other parts of the sub-region and region – but it is important to maximise SCY potential in order to retain the competition advantage of the York economy and diversify the economy.

·        Need to ensure that the outputs were in terms of diversification and relocation of skills in York’s market.

·        In addition to the Science Festival, there was a need to promote more awareness throughout the year of what careers were available in York, especially in primary and secondary schools and in colleges, including adult education.

·        The proposals for the use of the £2.63m were supported.