Agenda item

This report presents the findings from the corporate scrutiny review of York’s Night Time Economy (NTE), incorporating the findings from the individual scrutiny reviews carried out by the four standing overview & scrutiny committees.

After taking all the information into consideration, Members are asked to agree the recommendations for submission to Cabinet in May       

Members considered a report which presented the findings from the corporate scrutiny review of York’s Night Time Economy which incorporated the findings from the individual scrutiny reviews carried out by the four standing overview and scrutiny committees. Account had also been taken of the findings from a ‘Yorkafter5’ survey, proposals for NewCo a new marketing organisation, the work of AVANTE and evidence provided by the Council’s Policy and Performance team.

Consideration was also given to the following additional information provided at the meeting;

·        Update on the Financial implications information at paragraph 32 of the draft final report in relation to the cost of extending the opening hours for Park and Ride sites (copies circulated and updated online)

·         Draft Preface prepared by Cllr Galvin as Chair of the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee and its Task Group set up to consolidate the recommendations.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the report and recommendations prepared by a Task Group consisting of Cllrs Galvin, Horton and Runciman set up to consider all the evidence and look at how best to package the recommendations.

The Chair drew Members attention to the suggested recommendations, set out at paragraphs 29 and 30, of the report, pointing out that whilst the individual Task Groups had each produced a number of recommendations the Group had acknowledged that four key recommendations were more likely to be achievable, receive Cabinet support and be easier to implement, in the first instance.

Members confirmed their support for the four key recommendations and, in particular the introduction of a pilot scheme for extending the opening hours in the Coppergate Shopping Centre on Friday evenings. It was pointed out that, if successful, the Coppergate area could act as a hub for further expansion/future roll out.

Members went on to question a number of points including the reasons for extending free car parking for residents only from 5pm rather than 6pm and highlighting the need for inclusion of positive equalities implications in the report.  Officers confirmed that although they had no financial information in relation other options regarding free parking, if Members were in agreement, two options could be put forward for consideration, with implications information to follow.

Following further discussion it was

Resolved:        i) That the report and documentation provided in support of the review be received and noted.

ii) That the Committee agree the recommendations arising from the final report of the Night Time Economy Corporate Scrutiny Review, incorporating the findings from the individual scrutiny reviews, for presentation to Cabinet on 6 May 2014, subject to inclusion of the following additional information:

·        The positive equalities implications which  would arise from the recommendations

·        The following two options in respect of city centre parking:

o   The Council’s city centre car parks to be free to residents with Minster badges from 5pm (instead of 6pm at present) on Fridays during the pilot period

o   The Council’s city centre car parks in the vicinity of the Coppergate Centre to be free to all from 5pm on Fridays during the pilot period.

Reason:     To conclude the work on the Corporate Scrutiny Review in line with CYC scrutiny procedures and protocols.