Agenda item

The following Executive Members will be in attendance to provide an update on their priorities and challenges for the 2018-19 municipal year.

•           Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism - Cllr Ayre  (report to follow)

•           Executive Member for Economic Development & Community Engagement– Cllr Aspden

The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism and the Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement were in attendance to provide an update on their priorities and challenges for the 2018/19 municipal year.

The Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism highlighted key points around his portfolio area and Members noted that:

·        The Active Lives Survey results, published in March 2018, showed that York had a higher percentage of people who were physically active compared with national and regional averages.

·        The Move More York campaign would be launched this summer.

·        Executive would be considering a report on 12 July that sought consent to invest in improved sports facilities at Burnholme Community Hub. The proposals would provide a health and wellbeing campus that included increased opening hours and a fitness gym with inclusive and accessible equipment.

·        Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) managed Energise and Yearsley Pool and were supporting the refurbishment at Burnholme.

·        Work continued on the Community Stadium and Leisure Complex at Monks Cross and plans were progressing on a bid to use York and the new stadium as one of the host cities for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

·        The Cultural Strategy was progressing and would include new opportunities to showcase the city.

·        The opening of the new library facilities at Centre@Burnholme had developed a community hub which incorporated many facilities and learning spaces including sound proof music/recording studios.

As a result of questions raised by Members the Executive Member responded and it was noted that:

·        The libraries contract was adaptable to ensure York residents continued to receive an improved service over the next 15 years and a provision was in place for the maintenance of library buildings.

·         The Executive Member would consult with Explore to ensure York residents, when purchasing a York Card, were made aware that GLL did not accept it at its sporting facilities.

·        The Cultural Strategy should include the vibrant music scene on offer in the city and create space and opportunities for the youth culture.

·        The use of a permitted area where local events could be advertised would be a valuable addition to the city centre.

Members thanked the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism for his update and they noted that officers were in the process of agreeing a new three year service level agreement with Make it York.

The Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement highlighted key points around the new funding system for ward committees and he referred to a variety of ward schemes that had resulted in a positive impact on communities across the city.

Members were also informed that:

·        The remaining challenges within the Highways Capital Programme funding stream were being resolved.

·        Gratitude had been passed to the voluntary and community sector and CYC Officers in Housing and Children Services for the work undertaken to resettle refugees in York.

·        Training options (full day, half day or 1 hour) were available to any councillor who would like to receive an insight into the Armed Forces community.

·        Local Area Teams were engaging with young people and work continued to support children and young people in care.

As a result of questions raised by Members the Executive Member responded and it was noted that:

·        Ward committees could pool resources and co-fund activities.

·        The Speak up Service would extend its advocacy offer to care leavers up to the age of 25.

·        Local Area Teams were at an early stage of development and were doing an excellent job.

·        NEET performance was stable and officers would continue to focus on the young people in this group.

Further discussions took place around ward budgets, including the option of a city wide fund.

Members felt that a mechanism was required to support councillors on submitting a jointly funded scheme and the Executive Member confirmed that he or the Community Involvement Officer could offer support and guidance with ward funding issues or schemes that could benefit the whole city.

Members thanked the Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement for his update, noting current resource levels for Local Area Teams and agreeing to continue to monitor the development of this service.

Resolved:  That the updates from the Executive Members on their portfolio areas be received and noted.

Reason:     To update the Committee on the challenges and priorities within the Executive Members portfolio areas.