Agenda and draft minutes

Join your Ward Councillors alongside representatives from York Racecourse, North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council to give feedback on your experience of Race Days including crowd and traffic management before and after racing.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Kilbane who welcomed everyone and set out the housekeeping rules and reminded residents that the meeting was non-political.

1.    Discussion about Race Days

Councillor Kilbane stated that race days in York are a regular item for public meetings and proposed that the race day activities within the York Racecourse are discussed first and then activities outside the grounds.  Cllr Kilbane invited James Brennan, York Racecourse Head of Marketing to outline activities within the grounds.

• York Racecourse started operating in 1731 and is now hosting high quality events that resonate on a global stage.
• We are well into the racing season with the finale on 10-11 of October.
• McMillan is the main nominated York Racecourse charity and the dedicated Raceday event took place back in June.
• Three other nominated charity partners are: Clifton Green Primary where we have helped to build the outdoor playground, Move the Masses walking buddy project using the Knavesmire as one of the walking routes and The Collective Sharehouse community foodbank supporting over 150 residents.
• Yorkshire based suppliers and businesses are contracted to help facilitate race days.
• Over 300,000 visitors attend through the racing season. Vast majority of visitors behave responsibly without causing concerns.
• We can influence what happens within the York Racecourse curtilage.

At this point Cllr Kilbane invited questions in respect of operation within the York Racecourse grounds.

Q – Does the curtilage include the Bishopthorpe Road car park? I live nearby and observe the issue with Uber drivers dropping off and picking up racegoers from the road and causing traffic. Racegoers meander near the entrance to the car park waiting for a taxi. There is no dedicated pick up/drop off space and Uber taxis should be allowed within the car park grounds, as opposed to blocking the road.

A – In terms of the car park the ownership is shared between York Racecourse and City of York Council (CYC). There is a designated space for taxis within car park A. If you book an Uber on a race day their App will direct you to car park A. Uber App worked last year, however we are not sure if it operates similarly during this season. We are not able to control Uber drivers, however we take your point and will investigate using car park C as the pick up and drop off point.

Q – A resident of Scarcroft Hill raised an issue with racegoers carrying alcohol to race meetings.

A – The picnic enclosure is a dedicated area where you can bring your own drinks, and we allow that. Racegoers are not allowed to take out alcohol purchased within York Racecourse.

Q - A resident stated that they witnessed many plastic and glass bottles, which did not look like picnic items, taken out from York Racecourse and discarded on the floor.

A – We will investigate and raise it with our security. By large people should not be taking alcohol out from York Racecourse.

At this point  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.