Issue - meetings

Members received a briefing from the Chief Executive, the Director of City Strategy and the Assistant Director (Economic Development) on the likely closure of the British Sugar plant in York.  This item was taken as urgent business as the closure had only been announced on 4 July 2006. 

Having discussed the issues outlined in the briefing and questioned officers present at the meeting, the following comments were agreed:

The Shadow Executive:

·  Are extremely concerned at the announcement that British Sugar are to close the York plant and the resultant job losses.

·  Express concern about the wider knock-on effect the closure will have on seasonal workers, farmers, hauliers etc.

·  Express concern that the Council had not made contact with British Sugar nationally and been unable to do so locally since the announcement.

·  Seeks urgent action by the Council to contact British Sugar to see what possibility there is to alter their proposals.

·  Seeks assurances that Future Prospects will be able to cope with providing support, particularly in light of the successive cuts to the service in recent years.

·  In the light of the successive series of closure announcements (Terry’s, Nestle, British Sugar) asks officers to look at whether a more strategic approach is required to deal with what appears to be a rapid collapse of the manufacturing/processing industry in the city.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive be asked to take the above comments into account.