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. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the last meeting of the Economic & Place Development Committee held on 24 January 2018.

Resolved:  That, subject to the Chair’s name being amended to Cllr I Cuthbertson, the minutes of the last meeting held on 24 January 2018 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 can do so. The deadline for registering is by 5pm on Tuesday 20 March 2018.  Members of the public may speak on an item on the agenda or an issue within the Committee’s remit. To register, please contact the Democracy Officer responsible for the meeting (the contact details are available at the foot of the agenda).

Filming or Recording 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.  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 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 no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report provides Members with an overview of the work undertaken to refresh and update the Council’s Asset Management Strategy for the period 2017-2022.  Members are asked to consider the principles and approaches therein, and comment on the planned programme of works to develop comprehensive asset plans for all the Council’s property assets.

Members considered a report which provided an overview of the work undertaken to refresh and update the Council’s Asset Management Strategy for the period 2017-2022.  Members were asked to consider the principles and approaches therein, and comment on the planned programme of works to develop comprehensive asset plans for all the Council’s property assets.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration and Asset Management outlined the report, noting the options available to Members. In response to Member questions, she clarified that:

·        The Asset Management Strategy would be implemented in 2018.

·        With reference to progress on affordable housing, the Project Manager had been appointed, and legal advice was being taken on the structure of the housing management company. There would be a report to the Executive setting out the structure, action plan and delivery plan for this. It was noted that there was a project plan for the Lowfield site.

·        The assets were not ranked because there was no one size fits all for listing assets and there were different drivers for the decision making process concerning assets.

·        When examining the strategic acquisitions of high performing commercial assets and the disposal of poor performing assets, consideration would be given to the yield, condition and maintenance of the building, as well as the percentage of lettings met.

·        City of York Council (CYC) owned the freehold to the toilets at the end of the Union Terrace car park, with the toilets currently being let out. A change of use of the toilets would depend on the lease.

·        There was a clause that ensured a buyer could not sell land purchased from CYC a greater price than CYC paid. This had been used on a number of occasions on different properties.

·        The Executive would consider the use of assets on a case by case basis.

·        The one off costs for preparing the strategy were met by contingency.

·        There had been a greater movement of commercial asset transfers over the last few years.

·        The consideration of assets in the Local Plan would be considered on a case by case basis.

·        Members discussed the strategic objectives and principles. Following a detailed discussion it was:

Resolved: That;

                     i.        The principles within the Executive report at Annex A be amended to include a reference to the Third Sector (Voluntary Sector) in paragraph 10biv.

                    ii.        The strategic objectives within the Executive report at Annex A (paragraph 9) be bullet points rather than numbered to remove any suggestion of an order of priority.

                   iii.        An additional principle be added as identified at the committee workshop, around the protection of the Council’s heritage buildings.

                  iv.        The implementation plan be brought back to the committee at a future meeting.

Reason:     To assist in the establishment of an appropriate Asset Management Strategy for the Council.

Members will receive a presentation from the Head of Transport giving an overview of previous work to improve the city’s cycle network and the process for introducing an LCWIP.

Members received a presentation from the Head of Transport and Transport Planner giving an overview of previous work to improve the city’s cycle network and the process for introducing a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

Members welcomed the presentation and in response to Members’ questions it was explained that:

·        Following the approval of the Local Plan in February 2019, a refresh of the Local Transport Plan would follow, which would inform the future production of a LCWIP.

·        Proposed routes for the LCWIP would be considered through a consultation process.

·        There was no timeframe for the introduction of a LCWIP in national guidance as it was not a mandatory process.

·        In order to engage employers in cycling and walking, officers would work with businesses and schools on travel planning.

·        Behavioural change was to some extent, a barrier to walking.

·        Opportunities for the dual use of space by cyclists and pedestrians would be examined when there were proposed changes to areas.

·        The cycle network was promoted by officers when working with developers.

·        In terms of funding, £250k had been allocated to cycling in the local transport plan. There were also opportunities to bid for grants.

·        On larger development sites, funding for cycle routes was included in the planning process, for example in the Germany Beck development.

Resolved: That;

                     i.        Members note the update on the LCWIP.

                    ii.        The Scrutiny Officer explore whether there could be an article in the Yorcity publication on public rights of way and the use of bridleways. 

Reason:     To be kept updated on the development of the city’s cycling and walking infrastructure.

This paper provides Members with an introduction to the ongoing work of partner organisations across the city which will address some of the findings arising from the previously completed scrutiny review on the ‘Impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on the Economy of York’.  The report proposes Members continue their consideration of the ongoing work at their next meeting in May 2018.

This report provided Members with an introduction to the ongoing work of partner organisations across the city to address some of the findings arising from the previously completed scrutiny review on the ‘Impact of the Arts and Culture Sectors on the Economy of York’.  The report proposed that Members continue their consideration of the ongoing work at their next meeting in May 2018.

The Head of Economic Growth gave a progress update on the priorities within the city’s current Economic Strategy. He advised Members that Science City York (part of Make it York) would be undertaking and launching the creative industries strategy for the city.

Members noted the update and made a number of points:

·        The work of the Creative Industries Task Group and work of the Cultural Leaders Group was acknowledged.

·        There had been a positive response from the creative industries.

Resolved:  That the Head of Economic Growth and a representative from Science City York attend the next meeting of this Committee to provide an update on the positives and negatives of the city’s current Economic Strategy.

Reason:     To assist the committee in identifying items for its workplan for the coming municipal year.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s draft work plan for the municipal year and review the Committee’s performance during trial period.

The committee reviewed its performance during the trial period and concluded that it had worked well. They therefore agreed they would like the trial to continue for a further municipal year.

The committee considered its work plan for the remainder of the 2017-18 municipal year and agreed:

•        To hold an informal committee meeting to discuss the renewal of the Make it York on 17 April at 5.30pm.

•        To add to the agenda for their final formal meeting on 16^th May:

Ø  The new Creative Strategy for York - Members requested both  the Head of Economic Growth and the Head of Science City York attend the meeting.

Ø  A progress update on the implementation of the Economic Strategy.

Finally, the Chair referred Members to an agreed Council motion regarding the disposal of single use plastics. It was agreed that a task group be set up to undertake a policy development review of the Council’s use of single use plastics, and how the Council might influence its use by others Councillors Kramm, Steward and Richardson offered to sit on the task group (along with any new committee members that may wish to join). The Scrutiny Officer agreed to email committee members to set up the task group and arrange its first meeting.  

Resolved:  That;

                     i.        That the work plan for the remainder of 2017-18 be approved subject to additions to the May meeting detailed above.

                    ii.        A Task Group be formed to undertake a Policy Development Review of ‘The Use of Single Use Plastics’

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee has an agreed programme of work in place.