Issue - meetings

This report provides the Executive Member with an update of progress towards the development of Local Industrial Strategies (LISs) by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding, and Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the content of the two LISs;

                     ii.         That the Executive Member delegated the sending of a  formal response to the Corporate Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Executive Member.

Reason:     To ensure that City of York Council formally feeds into                the LIS development process, and that the LISs align            with and support, local priorities.

The Executive Member considered an update report on the progress towards the development of Local Industrial Strategies (LISs) by the York, North Yorkshire, East Riding, and Leeds City Region LEPs. Officers outlined how the emerging list of priorities for the LISs, align and support local priorities as defined by the City of York Council’s emerging Council Plan. These priorities will be used to determine how the Council responds to the draft LIS’s. Officers also noted a number of areas that Executive Member may seek for the council to focus further on in response to the draft LISs.

The Executive Member noted that the consultation sessions held for City of York Council Councillors and other partners to feed into the LISs had been very comprehensive and positive. He also highlighted that any changes to the LIS geography, were decided by Her Majesties Treasury, not City of York Council. Therefore as York is within both regions he noted that it is important to feedback to both.

In discussion regarding the City of York Council’s response to the LISs, it was confirmed that:

·        Both LISs are focused on pushing the inclusive growth message, to make sure all residents across the regions benefit from the stronger economy they want to create;

·        The nature of skills and qualifications in construction remain currently based around bricks and mortar, not around modern and sustainable methods of construction. A recommendation for this to be raised at a national level, could be included in the response to the LISs;

·        A recommendation to the LISs could include ways of accounting for Carbon usage;

·        Access to lifelong learning and further support for people in small and medium size business’ to retrain for new roles is requires. This can be something that is feed into the LISs consultations, and be worked on separately by City of York Council officers confirmed;

·        Constant growth is not sustainable and that ‘good growth’ that supports business, people, and the environment has to be targeted.

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the content of the two LISs;

                     ii.         That the Executive Member delegated the sending of a  formal response to the Corporate Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Executive Member.

Reason:     To ensure that City of York Council formally feeds into the LIS development process, and that the LISs align with and support, local priorities.