Agenda item

To receive and consider a written report from the Leader on the work of the Cabinet.

Notice had been received of five questions on the written report, submitted by Members in accordance with Standing Orders. The first four questions were put and answered as follows and Cllr Alexander undertook to provide Members with a written answer to the remaining question. Councillor Alexander indicated that presenting this report and responding to questions upon it would be his last act, as Cabinet Leader and Leader of the Council, having resigned from the post as of this meeting.

(i)        From Cllr Aspden

“While a recovering economy has seen a reduction in the level of unemployment in the City, is the leader disappointed that the numbers in employment in the City are still fewer than in 2011 (contrary to the national trend) and that it will be 2020 before pre recession employment levels in the City are seen again?”

The Leader replied:

The numbers of those employed in 2011 are lower than pre-recession employment levels, and I can confirm for Coun. Aspden that the recession started much earlier than 2011.

The recession and the Government’s targeting of the public sector in response to the deficit has had a disproportionate impact on numbers employed in the city due to our previously higher than average reliance on public sector jobs.  So clearly it will take numbers in employment longer to return to 2011 levels.  But we are on that path and thankfully this council is working very actively in attracting inward investment and jobs to the city to help ameliorate this impact.

Whilst total numbers employed do paint part of the picture on the city’s economic performance, it must be seen alongside those claiming JSA to gain an accurate picture.  With only 1% claiming, this shows the city and indeed individuals themselves have done extremely well in adapting to a more balanced public-private sector York economy.

The irony of getting a question about total numbers employed as opposed to numbers claiming JSA is not lost on me from the Liberal Democrats, a party whose policies would stifle and constrain economic growth in the city were they ever again in a position to implement them.

(ii)      From Cllr Ayre

“What percentage of those in work are in part-time employment and how does this compare to the national average?”

The Leader replied:

(iii)     From Cllr Runciman

“How many residents attended each Community Conversation meeting and how does this compare to attendance at ward committees held before 2011?”

The Leader replied:

The numbers attending each CC meeting were provided up until the last ordinary full council meeting, which Coun. Runciman can refer back to. Since then, attendances have been as follows:

Ward Committee meeting attendances from 2008 to 2011 were:

The two different meetings are not comparable as the Community Conversations were held in each ward across the city, whereas a number of ward committees involved more than one ward meeting together.  The nature of these meetings was also different.

(iv)    From Cllr Ayre

“According to the UNESCO bid submission the council will spend ‘$3million’ on its possible participation in the Creative Cities Network, could the leader outline where the budget will come from and provide more details on the proposed expenditure in particular $265,000 on communications $581,000 on services, $232,400 on an exchange programme, $174,300.00 on an awards programme and $89,640.00 on a TV package?”

The Leader replied:

Coun. Ayre might want to read the submission more carefully.  The bid says that the city will be spending this amount of money and the financial figures submitted in the bid were a result of information given to us by Media Arts businesses, the Universities, cultural organisations, Creative York, at the time part of Science City York, and of course our own council budgets.  The excellent work being undertaken in our higher education sector in Media Arts deserves special recognition here, with the building of new studios, development of undergraduate courses in media arts and their post graduate research programme.  

We will be seeking to encourage them to use this unique international and high profile network to expand their exchange and research programme.  This administration has also been aspirational in its support for York TV and work is still ongoing to develop the Guildhall into a Digital and Media Arts Centre.

Many of our York creative industries will be investing their own development monies into partnerships around the world which will allow their distinctive work to be recognised on an international stage.  The UNESCO creative cities brand allows them a special entree into that network. 

The council budgets identified in the bid: those for Arts and Culture, Creative Industries development, Science City York and marketing the city through Visit York,  are already being consolidated into the ‘Make it York’ organisation, which will facilitate the city wide partnership delivering the benefits of the granting of this status to the city.

(v)     From Cllr Ayre

“Does the leader believe his role can be done on a part-time basis?”

Reply:

There are council leaders around the country who carry out the role on a part-time basis, like North Yorkshire County Council’s leader for example.  However personally, whilst I felt I had to do it full time, this is not necessarily the case for everyone.  I would say it’s a personal choice how the person thinks they can most effectively do the job.