Agenda, decisions 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.

The Executive Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that he might have in respect of the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3 July 2018.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last Decision Session held on 3 July 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Executive Member.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Friday 20 July 2018.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

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

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission.  The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

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 (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/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809

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

This paper sets out a proposed timeline and outline process to review the economic climate, consider the challenges we face as a city, and enable the development of a refreshed Economic Strategy as an early priority in the 2019/20 work programme.

Resolved: That the proposed process for reviewing and refreshing the Economic Strategy as set out in the report be agreed.

Reason:     To ensure that the City’s economic strategy reflects the

current policy environment and that we can fully contribute to the development of Local Industrial Strategies by our LEPs.

The Executive Member considered a report which set out a proposed timeline and outline process to review the economic climate, consider the challenges which York faced as city, and to enable the development of a refreshed Economic Strategy as an early priority in the 2019/20 work programme.

The Head of Economic Growth outlined the current strategic economic context and updated the Executive Member on the progress against the York Economic Strategy priorities, focussing on the 8 essential ‘ to-dos’ of the current Economic Strategy of which  four of the priorities were progressing well and assessed green, with the remaining four were underway, but progressing more slowly and assessed amber.

He advised that the current Economic Strategy was for the period 2016-2020, with its sister document, the York Skills Plan, covering 2017-2020.  Therefore, a new strategy would be needed for 2020 onwards, with drafting taking place in 2019, with an opportunity to bring economic development and skills together into a single framework. He then gave an overview of the outlined process for the development of an Economic Strategy, as detailed in paragraphs 35 to 41 in the report.

In response to questions from the Executive Member, the Head of Economic Growth noted that:

·        The Economic Strategy conference would link into York Business Week which would take place from 12 -19 November 2018. 

·        As the position with Brexit became clearer, this would form part of the work in preparation for York Business Week and as part of City of York Council (CYC) being a business friendly council.

·        The use of the communication channel through Make it York (MiY) would enable CYC to consult with businesses on the challenges around Brexit.

Resolved: That the proposed process for reviewing and refreshing the Economic Strategy as set out in the report be agreed.

Reason:     To ensure that the City’s economic strategy reflects the

current policy environment and that we can fully contribute to the development of Local Industrial Strategies by our LEPs.