Issue - meetings

This report summarises City of York Council’s developing narrative for York in the context of the Government’s Levelling Up white paper. The report also provides an update on the actions set out in the Inclusive Growth Fund, as agreed by the Executive Leader at his Decision Session on 18^th September 2019, and more broadly on recent data on the York economy as set out in Annex A.

Resolved:

i.             That the developing narrative on Levelling Up in York be noted.

ii.            That the progress that has been made on the agreed Inclusive Growth Fund projects.

Reason: So that the Council nurtures a pipeline of projects that positively address inclusive growth and Levelling Up in the City of York.

This report summarised City of York Council’s developing narrative for York in the context of the Government’s Levelling Up white paper. The report also provided an update on the actions set out in the Inclusive Growth Fund, as agreed by the Executive Leader at his Decision Session on 18th September 2019, and more broadly on recent data on the York economy as set out in Annex A. The Economic Growth Manager was in attendance to present the report and respond to questions.

Key points raised during the presentation of the report included:

·        The Inclusive Growth Evidence Base had been updated and updates on the 8 projects of the Inclusive Growth Fund were included in the report.

·        York’s GVA per hour worked and wages were the strongest in the region, however these levels were only average compared to performance in the South East of England.

·        Levelling Up ought to be judged by the comparison with the richest parts of the UK, not York’s immediate neighbours.

·        The Independent Retail Growth Fund had been a large factor in York’s recovery from the pandemic, and the end of government funds had made it even more important.

·        Engagement on the York Economic Strategy was currently underway with a focus on hard to reach groups of the population.

Comments from the Executive Member included:

·        He emphasised the economic challenges facing the UK, including cost of living and fuel pressures, which he expected to have a significant both nationally and locally.

·        He thanked officers for their work in channelling government grants to businesses as quickly as possible during the pandemic and for recognising the significant number of small businesses in the city.

·        He stated that Community Hubs were an invaluable resource during the pandemic, and argued that the community centre closure programme ought to be reversed.

·        That it would be useful to hold another round of round-table meetings with the traders’ associations in York around the Independent Retail Growth Fund.

Resolved:

i.             That the developing narrative on Levelling Up in York be noted.

ii.            That the progress that has been made on the agreed Inclusive Growth Fund projects.

Reason: So that the Council nurtures a pipeline of projects that positively address inclusive growth and Levelling Up in the City of York.