Issue - meetings

To present the Executive Member with an evaluation of York Business Week 2021, and to propose changes to its operating model for the future.

Resolved:

i.             That the contents of the report be noted.

ii.            That the alternate operating models for York Business Week moving forwards be considered.

iii.          That further engagement with partners on the future operating model for York Business Week be supported, with a report coming back to a Decision Session in the spring.

Reason: To support the Council’s delivery of business-focussed events across York.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided him with an evaluation of York Business Week 2021, and proposed changes to its operating model for the future. The Head of Regeneration Programmes and Sector Development Manager were in attendance to present the report and respond to questions.

Key points raised during the presentation of the report included:

·        Small businesses were very well represented at York Business week, with around 60% of the attending companies having 1-5 employees.

·        There were a number of ideas to change the event going forward, including further usage of virtual events and changing the focus from council events during the week to supplement business events throughout the year.

·        It was proposed to undertake consultations with partners in the city to determine the future operating model.

Comments from the Executive Member included:

·        That he felt it was sensible to extend the events across the year rather than to concentrate them in one week.

·        It was important to show that the York Business Week provided value for money, which the survey had demonstrated.

·        The York economy had been put in an advantageous position to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic due to the collaboration and partnerships established.

·        That there ought to be an emphasis on bringing the principles and topics of York Business Week into York schools, for example to generate an interest in the railway industry in young people.

Resolved:

i.             That the contents of the report be noted.

ii.            That the alternate operating models for York Business Week moving forwards be considered.

iii.          That further engagement with partners on the future operating model for York Business Week be supported, with a report coming back to a Decision Session in the spring.

Reason: To support the Council’s delivery of business-focussed events across York.