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 17 October 2019.

Resolved: That the minutes of the last Decision Session held on 17 October 2019 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 15 November 2019.  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 Officers 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 Officers (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 report provides the Executive Member with an update of progress towards the development of Local Industrial Strategies (LISs) by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding, and Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the content of the two LISs;

                     ii.         That the Executive Member delegated the sending of a  formal response to the Corporate Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Executive Member.

Reason:     To ensure that City of York Council formally feeds into                the LIS development process, and that the LISs align            with and support, local priorities.

The Executive Member considered an update report on the progress towards the development of Local Industrial Strategies (LISs) by the York, North Yorkshire, East Riding, and Leeds City Region LEPs. Officers outlined how the emerging list of priorities for the LISs, align and support local priorities as defined by the City of York Council’s emerging Council Plan. These priorities will be used to determine how the Council responds to the draft LIS’s. Officers also noted a number of areas that Executive Member may seek for the council to focus further on in response to the draft LISs.

The Executive Member noted that the consultation sessions held for City of York Council Councillors and other partners to feed into the LISs had been very comprehensive and positive. He also highlighted that any changes to the LIS geography, were decided by Her Majesties Treasury, not City of York Council. Therefore as York is within both regions he noted that it is important to feedback to both.

In discussion regarding the City of York Council’s response to the LISs, it was confirmed that:

·        Both LISs are focused on pushing the inclusive growth message, to make sure all residents across the regions benefit from the stronger economy they want to create;

·        The nature of skills and qualifications in construction remain currently based around bricks and mortar, not around modern and sustainable methods of construction. A recommendation for this to be raised at a national level, could be included in the response to the LISs;

·        A recommendation to the LISs could include ways of accounting for Carbon usage;

·        Access to lifelong learning and further support for people in small and medium size business’ to retrain for new roles is requires. This can be something that is feed into the LISs consultations, and be worked on separately by City of York Council officers confirmed;

·        Constant growth is not sustainable and that ‘good growth’ that supports business, people, and the environment has to be targeted.

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the content of the two LISs;

                     ii.         That the Executive Member delegated the sending of a  formal response to the Corporate Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Executive Member.

Reason:     To ensure that City of York Council formally feeds into the LIS development process, and that the LISs align with and support, local priorities.

The report seeks the approval from the Executive Member for the renewal ballot for the York Business Improvement District (BID). If agreed, this will take place in November 2020 and will allow eligible businesses to vote on whether they wish to support a second five year term for the BID, beginning in April 2021.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the Executive Member expresses support for the York BID and its work;

                     ii.         That the stages and timescales required to implement the decision as outlined in these recommendations be noted;

                    iii.        That a further report may be taken to Executive in Spring 2020 detailing the BID Prospectus, Service Level Agreements and role of Make It York;

                   iv.        That the discussions on arrangements to operate the ballot and for the Council to act as the collection agent for the levy be noted;

                     v.        That the exploration of additional recompense from the BID for work carried out by the Council, is supported by the Executive Member.

Reason:     To allow the work of the BID and its partners to boost the City Centre economy, ease difficult trading conditions for retailers and to provide every opportunity to help York thrive

The Executive Member considered a report asking him to support and approve the renewal ballot for the York Business Improvement District (BID). Officers outlined the process for moving forward in the BID process and that it shall be the BID’s second term. They highlighted that City of York Council are seeking additional recompense from the BID for work undertaken by City of York Council on behalf of the BID. Including collection of the Levy, enforcement work, and work on keeping databases up to date.

The Executive Member confirmed his appreciation for the work the BID has done. He noted that notwithstanding the huge debate about the high street and business rates, that the pressures to maintaining the Public Realm would have been challenging without the BID.

Officers confirmed that the BID process is following a national mechanism as outlined from an act of parliament.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the Executive Member expresses support for the York BID and its work;

                     ii.         That the stages and timescales required to implement the decision as outlined in these recommendations be noted;

                    iii.        That a further report may be taken to Executive in Spring 2020 detailing the BID Prospectus, Service Level Agreements and role of Make It York;

                   iv.        That the discussions on arrangements to operate the ballot and for the Council to act as the collection agent for the levy be noted;

                     v.        That the exploration of additional recompense from the BID for work carried out by the Council, is supported by the Executive Member.

Reason:     To allow the work of the BID and its partners to boost the City Centre economy, ease difficult trading conditions for retailers and to provide every opportunity to help York thrive.

The report provides an update on the council’s procurement policies in relation to small and medium-sized businesses in the local area, considering the challenges and what more can be done to enable these businesses to bid for council contracts.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the content of the report be noted;

                     ii.         Agreed in principle to a panel with the Federation of Small Businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to review the wording used in application forms in order to support small businesses complete applications.

Reason:     To update the Executive Member on procurement issues and activity in the support of the local economy and to support small businesses.

The Executive Member considered an update report on the council’s procurement policies in relation to small and medium-sized businesses. The Finance and Procurement Manager outlined the work undertaken to increase the support for local and small businesses to secure council contracts. She highlighted from the report, areas where the council continued to seek further improvement and how they communicated directly with local suppliers to facilitate this.

The Executive Member noted the positive reaction to supplier events that he attended. He identified one area the Federation of Small Business’ highlighted to him that could assist small and local business. This was that businesses needed further support to complete City of York Council forms and recommended a panel to consider these forms in their current format.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the content of the report be noted;

                     ii.         Agreed in principle to a panel with the Federation of Small Businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to review the wording used in procurement documentation in order to support small businesses to complete applications.

Reason:     To update the Executive Member on procurement issues and activity in the support of the local economy and to support small businesses.