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, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which they may have in respect of business on the agenda.

Despite not having voting rights, Councillor Hayes chose to declare a personal, non-prejudicial interest in that he was Chair of York Independent Business Association (Indie York) which brought him into contact with Make it York.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 20 March 2017.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last meeting held on 20 March 2017 be approved and then signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To consider excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of Annexes 1 & 2 to agenda item 6 (Make it York) and Appendices 1 & 2 to agenda item 7 (Veritau) on the grounds that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).This information is classed as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved:  That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Annexes 1 & 2 to agenda item 6 (Make it York) and Appendices 1 & 2 to agenda item 7 (Veritau) on the grounds that they contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).This information is classed as exempt under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

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 Thursday 30 March 2017.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

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 this meeting may be filmed and webcast or audio recorded and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or,if sound 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 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

http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

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

Gwen Swinburn spoke on her concerns regarding transparency and oversight and suggested that, in future, reports coming to this committee could be redacted rather than exempt. She also suggested that an overall framework be created covering all businesses in which the Council was involved.

This report advises Members of the role of the Shareholder Committee and provides background on the Council companies. 

Members considered a report advising them of the role of the Shareholder Committee and providing a background on the Council companies.

Resolved:  That;

I. The report be noted

II. Members agree to the proposal that the Shareholder Committee meet to consider each company at least twice a year.

Reason:     To ensure proper governance of Council companies.

The Managing Director of Make it York will present the committee with a business update for Make it York, including performance information for 2015/16 and 2016/17 and their proposals for 2017/18 and beyond. Members are requested to approve their annual budget and business development proposals.

The Managing Director of Make it York (MiY) presented the committee with a business update, including performance information for 2015/16 and 2016/17 and their proposals for 2017/18 and beyond.

In response to questions from Members the Managing Director stated that:

·        Money that had transferred with Science City York was ring fenced for York science companies and a board had been established to advise as to how it would best be spent.

·        Make it York was still a Teckal company.

·        There was a hope for capital investment in the Shambles Market area. At this stage it would not be feasible to look at Parliament Street due to costs and the disruption it would cause to businesses.

·        In terms of security issues around the Christmas market after serious incidents elsewhere in the world, North Yorkshire Police were in close contact with MiY and training sessions had been arranged.

·        Alcohol was not always involved in festivals, for example the Easter Family Festival, it depended on the kind of event being offered.

Resolved:  That;

1.   the annual budget for Make it York be approved.

2.   The business development proposals contained in the delivery plans be approved.

Reason:     As required under the Shareholder Agreement.

The Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive of Veritau will present the company’s draft business plan and budget for 2017/18 for approval.

The Chief Executive and the Deputy Chief Executive presented the company’s draft business plan and budget for 2017/18.

In response to points raised by Members the Chief Executive stated that:

·        City of York Council had a ten year service contract with Veritau which ran from 2008.

·        Plans were brought to Audit and Governance Committee annually.

·        In terms of Governance Structure Veritau was jointly owned by City of York and North Yorkshire County Councils. Veritau North Yorkshire was a joint venture, with 50% owned by Veritau and the remaining 50% spilt between the four remaining Local Authorities (Hambleton, Richmondshire, Ryedale and Selby ).

Resolved:  That the business plan and budget for 2017/18 be approved.

Reason:     As required under the Shareholder Agreement.