Agenda and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Jez Willard declared a personal non prejudicial interest as Chair of York City Centre Partnership.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2007.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Board’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is 27 November 2007 at 5.00pm.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation scheme.

The report sets out a discussion document to outline to the Board proposals for reviewing membership and terms of reference following consideration of the Future York Group recommendations regarding partnership working at the last meeting of the Board. 

Board members received a report which set out a discussion document to outline to the Board proposals for reviewing membership and terms of reference following consideration of the Future York Group recommendations regarding partnership working at the last meeting of the Board.

The attached note (Annex A) set out a proposal for consideration at the meeting.  Comments were invited from the Board prior to seeking agreement to any proposal at a subsequent meeting of the Board. The Board also needed to consider the process for determining representation on the Board. When agreed, this was likely to require an amendment to the Council’s constitution and the endorsement of the Local Strategic Partnership. 

The Board discussed the following issues:

·        Whether four sector representatives were enough

·        That the Board did not have the power to ensure action, as detailed in Paragraph 2.2b of Annex A

·        Whether the Education sector should be represented on the Board

·        Whether 3 councillors were enough as not all parties would be represented

·        How the Board could become more transformational and take the lead

·        That there was no clear strategic vision and a lack of direction

It was highlighted that the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and the Community Strategy, which would be revised in January, contained the vision and direction. It was agreed that the working papers of the LSP should be circulated to the Board for information.

Board members agreed that the next report should present different options on membership for consideration, regarding how many councillors and which sectors to include. It was agreed that options would be refined down prior to the meeting via memos, leaving more difficult decisions to be discussed at the meeting.

RESOLVED:             (i)         That the input and views from Board Members on the proposal to review membership and the working of the Economic Development Partnership Board be noted;

                                    (ii)        That a report be brought back to the next meeting containing different options on membership.

REASON:                  To help shape the effectiveness of future action.

This report seeks to brief the Board on progress with respect to key recommendations made by the Future York Group.

Board members received a report which sought to brief the Board on progress with respect to key recommendations made by the Future York Group.

This Future York Group Report was an authoritative analysis of the local economy based upon a wealth of data and presentations given to the group. There had been a process of consultation on the findings of the Report and  paragraph 5 of the committee report detailed progress with the key recommendations. Whilst considerable progress was being made to implement the recommendations arising from the Future York Group report, it was imperative to maintain momentum to ensure action continued to be made and that progress continued to be monitored.

It was highlighted that all major employers in York now had a named contact at senior level within the Council. Board members noted that there were inconsistencies in the proposed figures for population growth and new dwellings. Officers reported that they had recognised some inconsistencies in the figures and would be feeding this into the Government consultation.

RESOLVED:             That the actions set out in paragraph 5 of the report outlining progress in responding to the key recommendations from the Future York Group report be noted.

REASON:                  To help shape the effectiveness of future action.

This report updates members on current progress on establishing a Single Tourism Organisation (with a working title of Visit York) for the city and requests endorsement for the actions taken so far.

Board members received a report which updated members on current progress on establishing a Single Tourism Organisation (with a working title of Visit York) for the city and requested endorsement for the actions taken so far.

The report advised that good progress had been made on establishing the Board. The constitution of the new company had been the subject of discussion and negotiation between the Council and the current Bureau Board, given that the responsibilities of the new company were much wider than those of the existing Bureau. The Memorandum and Articles of Association (Mem and Arts) of the new company had been agreed, subject to final approval at a Bureau AGM in December. The Mem and Arts confirm the company’s strategic and operational roles, and a Service Level Agreement (SLA) was being finalised between the Council and the new company. This covered what the Council expected the new company to deliver, and ensured proper accountability for public funding.  The Council would be asked to agree the Service Level Agreement at an Executive meeting on 18 December.

Board members queried about having offices on the first floor in Blake Street and whether this would be a lost commercial opportunity. Officers reported that no firm decision had been taken and that they would feed back the Board’s comments to the steering group.

RESOLVED:             That the report be noted and that actions taken so far be endorsed.

REASON:                  To provide additional support from the wider business community for the contribution that tourism makes to the wider economy in the city 

Discussion Paper on the City Centre Partnership

The Chair has agreed to take an item under Urgent Business on the City Centre Partnership. This item is to enable an early discussion at the Economic Development Partnership Board (EDPB) on ways of sustaining the activities of the City Centre Partnership following their Board meeting held on 22^nd November. No further EDPB meeting (which is not a decision taking Board) is scheduled before the next Partnership meeting (which must make decisions about its future). This item will also be considered at the Executive on 18 December 2007.

The report sets out a discussion document regarding the City Centre Partnership and proposals for a Business Improvement District (BID). 

The Chair agreed to take an item under Urgent Business on the City Centre Partnership. This item was to enable an early discussion at the Economic Development Partnership Board (EDPB) on ways of sustaining the activities of the City Centre Partnership following their Board meeting held on 22^nd November. No further EDPB meeting (which was not a decision taking Board) was scheduled before the next Partnership meeting (which must make decisions about its future). This item would also be considered at the Executive on 18 December 2007.

The report set out a discussion document regarding the City Centre Partnership and proposals for a Business Improvement District (BID). The company had sought to explore with city centre businesses the concept of a business improvement district for the foot streets. Significant research was undertaken, the end result of which was the decision taken at the York City Centre Partnership (YCCP) board meeting on 22^nd November that it was too early to take the concept further at the present time. The overall high quality of most of the built environment and the services necessary to maintain it in this state, the level of marketing and promotion and the broad appeal of the city were felt sufficiently good enough to preclude the need for a bid to address such issues.

It was reported at the meeting that funding for the YCCP would run out next year and that a report would be going to the Executive before Christmas to consider the resource implications. Options on the way forward were discussed including continuing with the existing model, which was heavily subsidised, to amalgamating it into another organisation. The Chamber of Commerce offered to be involved and provide contacts who would be happy to play a role. It was suggested that a small meeting be held to discuss some ideas and feed back to the group.

As a decision on the future of the YCCP would of been made before the next meeting, Board members requested a report be brought to the next meeting with an update on the YCCP position.

RESOLVED:             (i)         That the Board’s input and views on the options for sustaining the work of the York City Centre Partnership be noted;

                                    (ii)        That a report be brought back to the next meeting with an update on the YCCP position.

REASON:                  To help shape the effectiveness of future action.