Agenda and minutes

At this point, 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, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests or any prejudicial or discloseable pecuniary interest that they might have in respect of the business on the agenda. Cllr Pavlovic, in attendance as substitute for Cllr S Barnes, declared an interest in item 4 (Economic Health of York City Centre Final Report) because as Chair of the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee would be presenting recommendations to the Committee. He therefore did not vote on that item. No further interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Economy and Place Policy Development Committee (Pre Decision Calling In) meeting held on 5 November 2018 and minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2018.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last meeting held on 20 November 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 5.00pm on Monday 28 January 2019. 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 one registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. Dave Merrett spoke on item 4 (Economic Health of York City Centre Final Report). He highlighted the loss of office space in the city centre and he suggested that the report include a further recommendation around re-looking at Article 4 Directions to protect the existing office space in the city centre.

This report is to inform members of the Economy and Place Policy Development Committee of the work carried out by members of the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee into the Economic Health of York City Centre. It also asks that the Policy Development Committee considers whether it wishes to take forward elements of the scrutiny review which relate to policy development as identified in the recommendations at paragraph 54 of this report, as referred by the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee.

Members considered a report informing them of the work carried out by members of the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee into the Economic Health of York City Centre. Officers outlined the content of the report, which asked the Committee to consider whether it wished to take forward elements of the scrutiny review which related to policy development as identified in the following recommendations, as referred by the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee. The Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee Chair, Cllr Pavlovic explained the work undertaken by the Committee and he thanked Members for their work. The recommendations of the Economy and Place Scrutiny Committee were:

That the Council:

i.             Fully supports the work and ambitions of Indie York in helping further develop and grow the independent business sector in the city and that the Council makes a grant of £10,000 to Indie York to help progress this work;

ii.            Consider making a bid to the £675 million Future High Streets Fund to secure funding to help York respond and adapt to changes facing city centres.

iii.           Prepare a long-term strategy to make its high streets and the city centre fit for the future, taking into account relevant aspects of the Grimsey report and the view of all key stakeholders.

iv.          Develops an easy but comprehensive and consistent guide to help businesses access relevant information around Council policies effecting businesses, such as planning and licensing issues and alike. This could take the form of a booklet which could attract sponsorship.

v.           Examines ways of extending the city’s traditional festivals venue in Parliament Street to open up other areas to visitors, particularly across the river into Micklegate, and reduce pedestrian congestion in parts of the city centre at peak hours.

vi.          Works with Indie York and traders to develop a city-wide loyalty scheme to make it easier for businesses to reward customers with an attractive discount offer for shopping locally while encouraging business growth and customer retention across a city-wide customer engagement platform.

vii.         Incentivises ways to further encourage more people to use Park and Ride and work with bus operators to extend the operating hours of Park and Ride to help reduce vehicle congestion in the city.      

Following  detailed discussion, Members endorsed the recommendations and agreed that there needed to be further work around looking at Article 4 Directions to protect existing office space in the city centre. This was added onto the work plan for the next meeting on 5 March 2019.

Resolved: That the above recommendations be endorsed and that there be consideration of a further recommendation concerning Article 4 Directions to protect existing office space in the city centre.

Reason:     To progress this scrutiny review in accordance with scrutiny protocols and procedures.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s work plan for the municipal year.

Members considered the Committee’s work plan for the remainder of the 2018/19 municipal year.

Members discussed potential topics and it was agreed that the January meeting would include the following items:

·        Residents Parking Review Update

·        Economic Health of the City Centre (to include discussion on Article 4 Directions to protect existing office space in the city centre)

Members were updated on the progress of the Single Use Plastics scrutiny review being undertaken by an Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee comprising members of this Committee and the Customer and Corporate Services Scrutiny Management Committee. The Scrutiny Officer advised Members that the Customer and Corporate Services Scrutiny Management Committee was undertaking a review of scrutiny arrangements to which the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Scrutiny Committees had been invited to give feedback. The Chair reported on the feedback he had given.

Resolved: That the work plan be approved subject to the inclusion of the items above.

Reason:     To keep the Committee’s work plan updated.