Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

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

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member was asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest that he might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they he not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2022.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on the 25 January 2022 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. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting. The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Thursday 24 January 2021.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill out an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact the relevant Democracy Officer, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The public meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

During coronavirus, we've made some changes to how we're running council meetings. See our coronavirus updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Cllr Mark Warters spoke on matters relating to the general remit of the decision session. He spoke on the December 2021 Full Council motion on a review of the HMO supplementary planning document, stating that the motion had instructed the Executive to carry the review out immediately with a view to halving the acceptable percentage thresholds for HMOs in York. Cllr Warters protested that the issue had been scheduled for consideration in April 2022’s meeting of the Executive. He stated that he had written to the Executive Member and the Director of Economy and Place on this issue but had received no response, and asked whether a public consultation would be legally required to implement the review, and if so how long would it take. Cllr Warters requested a full update on progress made on the review.

To present the Executive Member with an evaluation of York Business Week 2021, and to propose changes to its operating model for the future.

Resolved:

i.             That the contents of the report be noted.

ii.            That the alternate operating models for York Business Week moving forwards be considered.

iii.          That further engagement with partners on the future operating model for York Business Week be supported, with a report coming back to a Decision Session in the spring.

Reason: To support the Council’s delivery of business-focussed events across York.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided him with an evaluation of York Business Week 2021, and proposed changes to its operating model for the future. The Head of Regeneration Programmes and Sector Development Manager were in attendance to present the report and respond to questions.

Key points raised during the presentation of the report included:

·        Small businesses were very well represented at York Business week, with around 60% of the attending companies having 1-5 employees.

·        There were a number of ideas to change the event going forward, including further usage of virtual events and changing the focus from council events during the week to supplement business events throughout the year.

·        It was proposed to undertake consultations with partners in the city to determine the future operating model.

Comments from the Executive Member included:

·        That he felt it was sensible to extend the events across the year rather than to concentrate them in one week.

·        It was important to show that the York Business Week provided value for money, which the survey had demonstrated.

·        The York economy had been put in an advantageous position to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic due to the collaboration and partnerships established.

·        That there ought to be an emphasis on bringing the principles and topics of York Business Week into York schools, for example to generate an interest in the railway industry in young people.

Resolved:

i.             That the contents of the report be noted.

ii.            That the alternate operating models for York Business Week moving forwards be considered.

iii.          That further engagement with partners on the future operating model for York Business Week be supported, with a report coming back to a Decision Session in the spring.

Reason: To support the Council’s delivery of business-focussed events across York.

Any other business which the Executive Member considers urgent under the Local Government Act 1972.

The Executive Member commented on his and the Council’s concern regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, especially with reference to the 5 York residents who were caught in the conflict.