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 K Taylor declared an interest as a Non Executive Director of City of York Trading Board in relation to the Make it York and Yorwaste elements of the Committee’s remit.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Economy and Place

Policy Development Committee meeting held on 5 March 2019.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Economy and Place Policy Development Committee meeting held on 5 March 2019 be noted 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 to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Tuesday 11 June 2019. 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 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 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 Officer (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_f

or_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_201

60809.pdf

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report highlights the structure for the Council’s provision of the scrutiny function and the resources available to support it. It also details the current terms of reference for the individual Policy & Scrutiny Committees.

Members considered a report that highlighted the structure for the Council’s provision of the scrutiny function and the resources available to support it. The report also detailed the current terms of reference for the individual Policy and Scrutiny Committees.

Following an overview of the report by the Scrutiny Officer, he was asked and explained:

·        The rationale for the new scrutiny arrangements, in particular the pre decision process which allowed Scrutiny Committees to make contributions at an earlier stage. An explanation of the role of task groups was also given, including how recommendations would be made to the Committee and, if endorsed, be recommended to the Executive.

·        The Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee would be advised of matters of priority and would decide which matters would come to the Committee for consideration.

·        The work plan included details on Executive Members attending Committee meetings to update Members on their portfolios.

·        Members were encouraged to put forward their ideas for scrutiny areas, including ideas of external partners that could be invited to attend future meetings.

Mike Slater (Assistant Director Planning and Public Protection) and James Gilchrist (Assistant Director Transport, Highways and Environment) provided Members with an outline of their areas of responsibility in the Directorate of Economy and Place. In response to questions, Members were advised that:

·        The question of welfare policy being under the Head of Economic Growth would be reported back to the Committee.

·        Streetworks came under the responsibility of the Assistant Director Transport, Highways and Environment.

Following discussion, the Scrutiny Officer confirmed that he could produce a one page synopsis of the Committee’s work over the past year.

Resolved: That Members note the contents of the report and the specific remits of the individual Policy and Scrutiny Committees.

Reason:     To inform Members of scrutiny arrangements.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s draft work plan and work planning for the 2019-20 municipal year.

Members considered the draft Work Plan 2019-20 and work planning for the new municipal year. During discussion regarding potential items for the work plan, the following suggestions were out forward:

1.        High value jobs. How York has performed in recent years and whether we can make the most of the developments at York Central to ensure growth of high-skilled jobs and growth of high-skilled jobs in the green sector.

2.        A raft or work around an inclusive economy in York:

                        ·          Pay in work poverty;

                        ·          Gender pay gap;

                        ·          Apprenticeships and skills – how we use apprenticeship levy in the council and also its use around the city;

                        ·          Low paid industries – hospitality and tourism – and how we encourage career progression in those industries

                        ·          Graduate retention;

                        ·          Stem the loss of skilled people;

                        ·          Sustainable growth and social values;

                        ·          Community wealth

3.        Performance on road repairs.  This is an unavoidable issue across the city. Deep dive into repairs – road surfaces, not just pot holes

4.        Review of Business rates system to see if it is fit for purpose

5.        Bus services in outlying areas

6.        Parking across the city. Increasing use of park and ride to reduce the number of people parking on city centre streets.

The Chair stated that half of the meeting would be focussed on policy and the other half on scrutiny under the work plan.

Resolved: That the above items for the Committee’s work plan for the 2019/20 municipal year be considered at the next meeting.

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