Issue - meetings

The Chief Operating Officer to present a report which provides a final update on the council’s activities both directly in response to Covid-19 and to support recovery and renewal.

Resolved:  (i)      That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)      That the use of ARG funds and the positive impact of this approach on the York economy be noted, and that approval be given to allocate:

a)   £500k to the business voucher support scheme and

b)   £100k to support York’s music venues.

(iii)     That a final allocation report be brought to Executive at the end of 2021.

Reason:     To support the York economy and its recovery from the Covid pandemic.

(iv)    That officers be requested to obtain the necessary permissions to extend the current temporary footstreet arrangements, which are due to expire in September 2021, so that the 127 businesses currently operating street cafes can continue to operate in the interim and so that all available options can be presented to Executive in November to consider the future operation of the footstreets, which will include extending the additional blue badge parking provision that has already been provided.

(v)     That the number of mitigations enacted since approval of the Temporary TRO to help support Blue Badge Holder access to the city centre (as set out in paragraph 40 and Annex 1) be noted.

Reason:     To enable Executive to consider future arrangements of the footstreets extensions together with further improvements to accessibility in the city centre.  The extension of the temporary orders will allow the current arrangements initiated in response to the government’s Covid-19 guidance and Pavement Café License legislation to continue until Executive has been able to formally consider the statutory consultation and feedback on the further mitigation options.

(vi)    That approval be given to extend the Temporary TRO for the continued one-way operation of Coppergate with contraflow cycle lane until December 2021 pending consultation on the potential changes to the arrangements, including removal of the restrictions, and to remove the current pedestrian barriers from the southern footway immediately.

Reason:     To allow the Executive / Executive Member to consider the results of engagement with stakeholders prior to making a decision in line with recent directions from the Department for Transport, and because pedestrian barriers are no longer considered necessary at this location with the removal of social distancing restrictions.

                   (vii)    That officers be requested to continue the engagement with disabled people’s advocacy groups, and to engage with the Human Rights and Equalities Board on the emerging ideas from this summer’s strategic review of city centre access and parking and any additional suggestions from the statutory consultation for improving access in the city centre.

Reason:     To ensure that the council works to improve access to the city centre for all.

                   (viii)   That it be noted that reports will be brought to Executive in November 2021 on the future operation of the footstreets, My City Centre, Review of Access and Parking and the Future Funding of Dial a Ride.

Reason:     This will also allow Executive to consider the decision on the future operation of the footstreets in the light of My City Centre and the Strategic Review of Access in  ...  view the full decision text for item 27

The Chief Operating Officer presented a report which provided a final update on the council’s activities both directly in response to Covid-19 and to support recovery and renewal.  Future updates would be contained in relevant reports considered as part of the normal business of the council.

The report summarised work undertaken over the past 19 months in relation to business support, financial inclusion and supporting the city centre, and looked ahead to the continuing challenges posed by Covid-19.  It also made recommendations in respect of the future operation of the footstreets and the allocation of available funding for supporting businesses.  The latest rate of new Covid cases in York was reported as 327.9 per 100k population, while 69.8% of adult residents had received both doses of the vaccine.  A amendment was reported to paragraph 39 of the report, the 5^th sentence of which should read as follows: “Applications would be sought from individual venues that received Cultural Recovery Fund investments from the Arts Council, using the criteria from the Grassroots Music Venues Fund (see Arts Council website), but without the restrictions on infrastructure and buildings.”

The Chief Operating Officer and the Chair recorded their thanks to staff, partners and volunteers for all the work they had undertaken during this period.  Members echoed these comments and highlighted achievements within their individual portfolio areas.  In response to matters raised under Public Participation, officers confirmed that the complexities were recognised and the recommendation was for a temporary extension of the footstreets; there would be opportunities for further public engagement, and a more comprehensive equalities assessment would accompany the report to Executive in November. Work to understand the figures around cycling, which remained a council priority, would also continue.

Resolved:  (i)      That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)      That the use of ARG funds and the positive impact of this approach on the York economy be noted, and that approval be given to allocate:

a)   £500k to the business voucher support scheme and

b)   £100k to support York’s music venues.

(iii)     That a final allocation report be brought to Executive at the end of 2021.

Reason:     To support the York economy and its recovery from the Covid pandemic.

(iv)    That officers be requested to obtain the necessary permissions to extend the current temporary footstreet arrangements, which are due to expire in September 2021, so that the 127 businesses currently operating street cafes can continue to operate in the interim and so that all available options can be presented to Executive in November to consider the future operation of the footstreets, which will include extending the additional blue badge parking provision that has already been provided.

(v)     That the number of mitigations enacted since approval of the Temporary TRO to help support Blue Badge Holder access to the city centre (as set out in paragraph 40 and Annex 1) be noted.

Reason:     To enable Executive to consider future arrangements of the footstreets extensions together with further improvements to accessibility in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27