Issue - meetings

The Director of Economy & Place and the Director of Children, Education & Communities to present a report which responds to a motion agreed by Council on 31 October calling on the Executive to take a number of actions in respect of live music venues in the city.

Resolved:  (i)      That the importance of York’s live music venues and nightclubs be recognised as an integral part of the city’s cultural offer.

                   (ii)      That the work of the York Music Venues Network be endorsed and that the Council be a member of the network through the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Communities.

                   (iii)     That the actions set out in paragraphs 6 to 17 of the report be agreed.

Reason      In order to respond appropriately to the issues identified in the Council motion.

Members considered a report of the Director of Economy & Place and the Director of Children, Education & Communities which responded to a motion approved by Council on 31 October 2019 calling on Executive to take a number of actions in respect of live music venues in the city.

Paragraphs 6 to 20 of the report discussed the eight issues identified in the Council motion, detailing work already carried out in response to these and further actions proposed.  In summary, it recommended that the council work collaboratively with the recently established York Music Venues Network to:

·        promote positive messages about the city’s venues and (with MakeitYork) raise awareness of events and activities;

·        involve the Network in development of the Cultural Strategy and include it in the new cultural forum;

·        raise Network members’ awareness of the planning system and legislation as it applied to venues.

It was also proposed that the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism write to the appropriate secretary of state on the issue of business rate relief for music venues.

The Executive Member thanked those officers and Members who had helped bring the proposals forward and, having taken into account the comments received under Public Participation, it was

Resolved:  (i)      That the importance of York’s live music venues and nightclubs be recognised as an integral part of the city’s cultural offer.

                   (ii)      That the work of the York Music Venues Network be endorsed and that the Council be a member of the network through the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Communities.

                   (iii)     That the actions set out in paragraphs 6 to 17 of the report be agreed.

Reason      In order to respond appropriately to the issues identified in the Council motion.