Agenda item

To consider the draft final report of the ‘Cultural Quarter’ Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee. To note that the recommendations should be seen within the context of York being a ‘Cultural City’ and its culture not being confined to any one area.

Consideration was given to the draft final report of the ‘Cultural Quarter’ Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee and the 8 recommendations, which had arisen from the Committee’s review. Members were reminded that this topic had been registered in early 2008 by Cllr Hogg to examine the ‘Vision’ developed in 2007 for a Cultural Quarter for York, linking the city centre with development sites in York North West.

Officers confirmed that the recommendations should be seen within the context of York being a ‘Cultural City’ and its culture not being confined to any one area.

The Scrutiny Officer stated that, with Member’s agreement, she would also include an additional paragraph, in the body of the report, to further explain details of the government initiative for British Cities of Culture.

Officers circulated an amended diagram of the suggested model for the cultural route(s) or linkages to act as a guide between cultural activities produced by Sir Ron Cooke for inclusion in the report. Also circulated was an email from the Legal Department, following guidance sought after the last meeting, in relation to the Committee’s wish to send a letter to the Head of Planning regarding plans to introduce ticket barriers at York Railway Station.

Members were informed that the Visit York business plan referred to in Annex F (Towards a Cultural Quarter Business Plan), paragraph 2.5 of the report, had now been completed. It was proposed to update this paragraph in order to reflect the new vision that had been agreed.

Councillors Crisp, Funnell and Galvin declared that, as Members of the Planning Committee, they could not take part in consideration of matters relating to York Railway Station and plans to introduce ticket barriers and they left the room and took no part in discussion thereon. 

The Scrutiny Officer confirmed that she would collate the suggested amendments and circulate to Members, for agreement, a tracked changes copy of the report. She also confirmed that the presentation of the Annexes would be improved for inclusion in the final report. ^1.

Officers thanked the Scrutiny Committee for their hard work and careful, in depth examination on this topic.

RESOLVED:  (i) That subject to the following amendments the final report of the ‘Cultural Quarter’ Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee, be agreed:

·        Addition of a paragraph of explanation in relation to the government initiative on British City of Culture.

·        In paragraph 64 (The Proposed Boundary of the ‘Cultural Quarter’) the deletion of the word ‘boundaries’ in the third line and its replacement with ’boundary of the investment zone’.

·        Update paragraph 2.5 in Annex F in relation to the Visit York business plan.

·        Amend heading in Annex G to ‘Executive Summary’ rather than ‘Scrutiny Summary’. ^2.

(ii)That the following recommendations of the ‘Cultural Quarter’ Ad Hoc Scrutiny Committee, as amended be agreed:

1.             That City of York Council takes the lead in the comprehensive business plan and design master plan for this area, especially in terms of implementing any changes to the public realm works, pedestrian links etc between the various investment areas.

REASON: To ensure that a robust business plan is in place.

2.             That, with the backing of partner organisations*, the Chief Executive of City of York Council opens negotiations with Yorkshire Forward and other appropriate public bodies with regard to funding the proposed cultural master plan for the city and seeking major investment for realising the opportunities available for improvements to the public realm and civic spaces.

*Yorkshire Museums Trust, Rushbond PLC, York Theatre Royal, York Minster, National Railway Museum, Kings Manor Area (York University), Visit York, York @ Large and appropriate departments within the local authority.

REASON: To source appropriate funding streams.

3.             In view of the fact that development of the York North West site will create more traffic both vehicular and pedestrian:

i.        The Committee recommends that substantial improvements be made to the area known as ‘Marble Arch’ (both road and pedestrian tunnels).

ii.      The Committee recommends that City of York Council should seek to agree a new pedestrian/cycle river crossing (linking the National Railway Museum and Museum Gardens) as part of the York North West development plans.

REASON: To ensure that access and egress from the York North West site is appropriate and the area around the NRM receives better connectivity to the rest of the city.

4.             That the Head of Arts & Culture prepares the relevant documentation to propose York as a British City of Culture, should this proposed government initiative go ahead.

REASON: To promote the city as an outstanding centre of culture.

5.             That a wider strategy for ‘Cultural Development Areas’ within the city as a whole, be pursued by York @ Large to engage other cultural attractions and leisure providers e.g. a Castle Area.

REASON: To ensure cultural inclusivity across the city.

6.             That the boundary of the proposed ‘Cultural Quarter’ be used for investment purposes only. The position of a fixed boundary is not the most appropriate for a ‘Cultural Quarter’ in the long term and the position of a permeable boundary should, therefore, be revisited by York @ Large at a future date.

REASON: To find the most beneficial way of defining the area.

7.             That York @ Large be requested to revisit the name ‘Cultural Quarter’ as part of the work on the comprehensive business plan and the group should consider either a geographical or historical name for the area.

REASON: To reflect the views of the Committee and of comments made by local residents.

8.             That the recommendations of the report commissioned by City of York Council to look at the future of York City Archives be fully implemented to ensure that the Archives are suitably funded and arepresented as a key part of the ‘Cultural Quarter’ area. ^3.

REASON: To ensure the future of the Archives within the city.

(iii) That the amended version of the diagram, showing the suggested cultural route, submitted by Sir Ron Cooke, be replaced as Annex J in the final report subject to the amendment of the reference to ‘St Mary’s + Quarter’ to ‘Proposed ‘Cultural Quarter’’; ^4.

(iv)              That no further discussion or action be undertaken in relation to the proposals for barriers at York Station by NXEC, following withdrawal of the planning application.