Issue - meetings

This paper sets out a proposed timeline and outline process to review the economic climate, consider the challenges we face as a city, and enable the development of a refreshed Economic Strategy as an early priority in the 2019/20 work programme.

Resolved: That the proposed process for reviewing and refreshing the Economic Strategy as set out in the report be agreed.

Reason:     To ensure that the City’s economic strategy reflects the

current policy environment and that we can fully contribute to the development of Local Industrial Strategies by our LEPs.

The Executive Member considered a report which set out a proposed timeline and outline process to review the economic climate, consider the challenges which York faced as city, and to enable the development of a refreshed Economic Strategy as an early priority in the 2019/20 work programme.

The Head of Economic Growth outlined the current strategic economic context and updated the Executive Member on the progress against the York Economic Strategy priorities, focussing on the 8 essential ‘ to-dos’ of the current Economic Strategy of which  four of the priorities were progressing well and assessed green, with the remaining four were underway, but progressing more slowly and assessed amber.

He advised that the current Economic Strategy was for the period 2016-2020, with its sister document, the York Skills Plan, covering 2017-2020.  Therefore, a new strategy would be needed for 2020 onwards, with drafting taking place in 2019, with an opportunity to bring economic development and skills together into a single framework. He then gave an overview of the outlined process for the development of an Economic Strategy, as detailed in paragraphs 35 to 41 in the report.

In response to questions from the Executive Member, the Head of Economic Growth noted that:

·        The Economic Strategy conference would link into York Business Week which would take place from 12 -19 November 2018. 

·        As the position with Brexit became clearer, this would form part of the work in preparation for York Business Week and as part of City of York Council (CYC) being a business friendly council.

·        The use of the communication channel through Make it York (MiY) would enable CYC to consult with businesses on the challenges around Brexit.

Resolved: That the proposed process for reviewing and refreshing the Economic Strategy as set out in the report be agreed.

Reason:     To ensure that the City’s economic strategy reflects the

current policy environment and that we can fully contribute to the development of Local Industrial Strategies by our LEPs.