Agenda item

This report notes the final publication of Towards a York Economic Vision.  It was reported to the Executive on 19 October 2010 who referred it to the LDF Working Group for further consideration.

Members considered a report which noted the final publication of ‘Towards a York Economic Vision’. It was reported to the Executive on 19^th October 2010, who referred it to the LDF Working Group for further consideration. The report considered the next steps in terms of public consultation and how it will be considered to inform key strategies such as the Local Development Framework and Sustainable Community Strategy.

Towards an Economic Vision was funded by Yorkshire Forward and prepared by Professor Alan Simpson and his team following public engagement with key stakeholders in the city. Professor Simpson was present at the meeting and gave a presentation to Members outlining the key aspects of Towards an Economic Vision.

Following the presentation, the Chair made the following comments:

• The report gives a vision but there are constraints on the City due to the rivers and historical listed buildings.
• Timescale and practicality issues – LDF focuses on the next 20 years and longer in terms of the Green Belt.
• Transport strategy is questionable due to lack of investment – York has struggled in the past to secure the level of funding required and it is doubtful in the current economic climate whether funding would be available to achieve the ideas in the vision document.
• Transport and York Central need greater priority and profile, this isn’t clear in the document.
• Planting of more trees – has been done before and could be done again.
• Concern that private sector investment will not be forthcoming without investment in transport from the public sector.

Members then made the following comments:

• The document presents a challenge and Professor Simpson is correct in his vision for York.
• There are short term constraints but the ambition is good and the City requires a new transport system.
• Air quality and environment issues are important and it is correct to want to change the current situation.
• Officers need to think carefully and grasp an approach which will give the ideas a fair trial.
• Foot streets, cycling and park and ride facilities are key.
• The need to convince national government that the City needs transformation to gain funding.
• York needs to attract people into the City – boldness and vision is required to attract private funding.
• Copenhagen’s focus on cycling is a cost effective transport method and York can learn from European cities.
• The Equality Advisory Group should be added to the list of consultees.

Officers advised that the consensus around a long term vision is that decisions need to be made regarding what is realistic. Small decisions will build up into a long term strategy and officers will need to set out clear ideas that can be delivered.

Members thanked Officers for progressing the vision document.

RESOLVED:             That the LDF working group commented on ‘Towards an Economic Vision’ as above and recommended that the Executive approves it for further stakeholder and wider public consultation as set out in Annex 2.

REASON:                  To enable proper public consultation on the Economic Vision which seeks to support future investment in the City, encourage high standards of design and give focus on the importance of quality to economic competiveness.