Agenda and minutes

·        Talk to your local councillors

·        Find out about community groups in your area

·        Give us your views on what is important to you in your community

·        Introductions

·        Selection of the Ward Planning Panel

·        Talk York consultation – have your say and help shape the future of York

·        Supporting volunteers – what can the ward do to encourage and support volunteering

·        Ward budget update – an update on recently funded projects

·        Have your say

1.    WELCOME AND INTRODUCIONS

The meeting was chaired by Cllr Fenton who welcomed everyone and set out the agenda for the meeting.

2.    SELECTION OF THE WARD PLANNING PANEL

The role of the Ward Planning Panel was explained by Michael Thornton, the Panel Secretary.  The Panel currently comprises six members and meets every three weeks for approximately one hour (which includes tea and biscuits).  New members of the Panel with an interest in buildings within the ward would be very welcome and no particular expert knowledge is required.  A variety of issues pertaining to local buildings and land are addressed (i.e. how to adaptations to semi-detached properties, requests to fell trees etc). A weekly document is also circulated to members.

Cllr Fenton confirmed that members can be co-opted throughout the year and thanked the Panel for their commitment.  Following a show of hands by the residents Margaret Silcock, Fiona Barclay, Phillip Metcalfe, Ann Gray, Michael Thornton and Julie Ainsworth were selected.

3.    TALK YORK CONSULTATION

Claire Foale and Katie Porter-Smith led a detailed interactive discussion regarding future developments in York.  Claire Foale emphasised the importance of engaging with residents in the process in order to ascertain how they felt about York as a city (both now as well as in the future) with the aim of reaching a consensus about how best to attract inward investment and opportunities.   She went on to explain how York is at an historic moment as a considerable amount of funding is being invested in order to enhance and enrich the city (e.g. York Central, Castle Gateway and improvements to the Guildhall).  She also emphasised several positive achievements involving York residents such as:

·         Developing alternatives to plastic

·         Testing driverless vehicles

·         Projects combating malaria

·         Innovations in food technology and bioscience

·         Improving soil quality

·         Film events (i.e. Aesthetica)

·         Young entrepreneurs

·         Smart Travel Evolution Programme (STEP)

Residents were then asked to write down three adjectives (positive and/or negative) which best described how they felt about York.  These included:-

There followed a lengthy and engaging interactive discussion and included the following comments:-

Racecourse – York Racecourse is an important asset and serves all ages.

Welcoming – Cllr Fenton and Claire Foale both commented on how welcoming local people were.

Anti-social Behaviour - If York was only known for drunks and alcohol then shame on York.

Expensive Housing   - There are too many luxury apartments, high rents and not enough affordable housing.

Inadequate Amenities - There is poor transport interchange, no bus station, poor bus service and not enough cycle lanes. 

Inequality – Cllr Fenton considered York to be a place of inequality with regard to opportunities and earnings.  There was also a disparity between schools

Lack of Opportunities – Cllr Mason commented on York’s failure to keep tech businesses.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.