Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have in respect of the business on the agenda.  Councillor N Barnes declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 – “Make it York – One Year On” as he had a professional relationship with Make it York through his employment and in agenda item 6 – “Major Projects Update”, as his employer was a sponsor of one of the future occupants of the Community Stadium, which was a project referred to in the report.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2016.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of 16 March 2016 be approved as a correct record and then signed by the Chair.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the committee’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Tuesday 17 May 2016.  

To register please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of this agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting will be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at: http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at:

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

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

This report provides an update on the work of Make It York over the last year.

Members considered a report which provided an update on the work of Make it York over the last year.

Members noted that paragraph 1 of the report should read “It is a company limited by shares”.

Copies of the “Make it York Annual Report 2015/16” were tabled [the report is available on the Make it York website].

Members congratulated officers on the progress that had been made during the first year.  Discussion took place regarding the following issues:

(i)           Shambles Market

Members asked about the situation in respect of

Shambles Market.  They were informed that this was the biggest challenge currently facing Make it York and there were some fundamental issues to be addressed, including ensuring there was sufficient electrical power and making the area more vibrant.

(ii)          Outer Wards

Members asked if consideration was given to providing opportunities for wards outside of the city centre when events were planned.  Officers stated that, although the Business Improvement District initiative was focussed on the city centre, the remit of Make it York extended to the surrounding areas.  Support was being provided to business initiatives in Acomb and other areas of the city.   Make it York was also able to promote activities in the “7 Days in York” weekly online newsletter, which detailed events taking place in the city. 

(iii)        Night Time Economy

Referring to the scrutiny review that had taken place around the night time economy, Members asked if consideration was being given to arranging activities for the early evening.  Officers stated that Make it York was conscious of the need to develop the early evening economy when planning events, for example the Great Yorkshire Fringe.  It had also experimented with later closure times for the markets on Friday evenings.

(iv)        New Ambassador Programme

Members asked about the success of the New Ambassador Programme. They were informed that considerable research had been carried out to ascertain why businesses located to York.  An inward investment guide had been produced as part of a tool kit that was being developed.  The key issue was to ensure that the city had tangible developments which could be used to attract businesses to the city; this would be easier as The Guildhall and York Central projects developed.  Officers were asked how Make it York worked with City of York Council’s Economic Development team.  They explained that Make it York was primarily a marketing agency but would be working closely with CYC officers to promote inward investment.

Resolved:  (i)      That the report be noted.

                   (ii)      That a further update report be presented to the

                             committee in six months time.

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee is kept updated on the work of Make it York.

This report provides an overview and update on major transport initiatives currently being progressed in York.

Members considered a report which provided an update on the major transport initiatives currently being progressed in the city.

Members were asked to consider the format in which they would wish to receive future update reports on transport initiatives.  They agreed that future reports should provide a brief overview of the programme but should focus on those projects identified as being at highest risk.  This format would be reviewed in a year’s time.

Officers gave details of transport projects which were currently being progressed, as outlined in paragraph 8 of the report, and future projects, as outlined in paragraphs 9 to 15 of the report.  Officers also responded to Members’ questions regarding specific projects.  Particular reference was made to the work that was taking place to reduce congestion, including the improvements to traffic lights to improve flow.  Officers were asked how much of the success of the schemes would be dependent on decisions in respect of devolution.  They stated that York’s infrastructure could not afford to wait until these decisions were made and hence other funding opportunities continued to be explored.

Resolved:  That the present position in relation to major transport initiatives in the city be noted.

Reason:     To ensure Members are kept updated on major transport initiatives in the city.

This report provides Members with an update in relation to the major development projects in the city.

Members considered a report which provided an update in relation to the major development projects in the city.

Members questioned officers regarding the proposed York Central project.  Members were informed that the project was still at the pre-gateway 1 phase and that a more detailed timescale would be provided in the next update report.  Referring to the skilled manufacturing industry that was currently sited within York Central, officers confirmed that discussions were ongoing regarding a negotiated purchase of the factory and an offer of an alternative location to enable the business to remain within the city. 

Officers were asked if evidence was in place to demonstrate a demand for office accommodation.  They stated that some of the existing office accommodation in the city did not meet the needs of the current market.  Developments in other cities demonstrated that there was a demand for grade A office accommodation.  It was anticipated that the work that was being commissioned over the summer would provide evidence to substantiate these views.  If the demand for office accommodation was not as predicted, there would be a need to change the proposed blend of commercial and housing.  Members stressed the need to ensure that appropriate transport modelling was carried out to avoid traffic congestion in the area.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To ensure Members are kept updated on major projects within the city.

Members are asked to give consideration to the committee’s draft Work Plan 2016/17.

Members gave consideration to the committee’s draft work plan. 

Resolved:  That, subject to the inclusion of the following items, the work plan be approved:

·        Update on major projects (November 2016)

·        Update Report on Make it York (November 2016)

Reason:     To ensure that the committee has a planned programme of work in place.