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.

Councillor Taylor declared a personal non prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 (Cultural Quarter – Interim Report) as he is an employee of City Screen in York.

Councillor Crisp declared a personal non prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 (Cultural Quarter – Interim Report) as a member of the York Theatre Royal

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 Committees 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 Tuesday 28 October 2008   at 5.00pm. 

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme on general issues within the remit of the Committee.

A letter had been submitted by a local resident who would have liked to have spoken at the meeting but was unable to attend. The Chair advised the Committee he would reply personally to the local resident and invite him to speak at a future meeting and also to attend the public consultation session scheduled for 4 November 2008.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 17 September 2008.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the “Cultural Quarter” Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee held on 17 September 2008 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

This “Cultural Quarter” Interim Report details the consultation undertaken and the information gathered to date on this review and asks the Committee whether they require any further information/evidence and whether they would like to invite a representative of another Local Authority to address them on this issue.

Consideration was given to an interim report detailing the consultation undertaken so far and the information gathered to date for the “Cultural Quarter” review. The Committee were also asked to consider whether they would like to invite a representative of another Local Authority to address them and if they required any further information or evidence.

Officers guided Members through aspects of the Cultural Quarter Draft Business Plan, including a table highlighting the stakeholder development plans, resources and overall development until 2015. Members commented that the document was useful and it was suggested that an additional section could be added detailing the role City of York Council would be taking in the Cultural Quarter.

General Discussion

Members then discussed the following issues in depth:

• York St John University’s possible inclusion in the Cultural Quarter. Some Members suggested that the studio space and the film archive at the University would be a welcome addition to the Cultural Quarter.

• Some Members held the view that as St. Johns University was currently outside of the proposed Cultural Quarter boundary area it should not be included at this stage.

• Members queried if they were able to move the “red line” which defines the area included in the Cultural Quarter. Officers confirmed they could make the recommendation to increase the area if they thought it necessary.

• City of York Council’s role in the process, and the need for the Council to be clear about how they are going to be involved.

• The pros and cons of building a new pedestrian bridge across the river.

• That the Cultural Quarter needs to appeal to tourists and residents.

• Members discussed the issue of the term “Cultural Quarter” and the need to differentiate between the concept and the name of the area.

• Members discussed the recent public response to the project in the local newspaper.

Officers highlighted the 4 main areas which they felt this review should focus on to enable progression:

• A master plan for the public realm.
• A river crossing as part of the York North West plans.
• Funding for the Cultural Quarter.
• A Business Plan for the agreed Cultural Quarter.

Members discussed the public consultation day and how this would be useful to tackle the misconceptions reported in the local press. Members queried if a press release should be issued in response to the newspaper article and residents letters.

RESOLVED:             (i) That further information was required

(ii) To approve the timetable for preparing the draft final report with the following amendments:¹

(iii) That a representative from another  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.