Agenda item

This report provides an update on the status of the York Central Project, in the context that it is the largest project in the Major Projects portfolio.

Members considered a report on the status of the York Central Project in relation to it being the largest project in the Major Projects portfolio, this report was requested by the Committee following on from reports the Committee had considered in October and December 2019 regarding project management.

Officers introduced the report highlighting City of York Council’s role with the different partners, how the Council influences the project, and the Council’s role in decision making. Discussion took place around a perceived lack of accountability, Members emphasised the specific responsibility City of York Council had to residents regarding York Central, and noted concerns about the project potentially moving away from the vision held by residents and Members. 

Members raised concerns regarding the amount of cars York Central had planning for and highlighted their desire for a low to no car development. Members also questioned the argument around York Central not being commercially viable as a low car development, emphasising the location of the site potentially being able to offset the need for a large volume of cars in the development. Officers noted City of York Council’s role as the planning regulator in ensuring the development meets what is outlined in the design guide. However, they also reminded the Committee that Members of the Planning Committee had already approved the Outline Planning Application.

York Central’s role in the city’s target of becoming Carbon Neutral by 2030 was raised. Members highlighted the different strategic objectives shared by the different partners and whether there was sufficient clarity in the project about tackling the climate emergency. Members also raised questions about wider issues highlighted in Annex 5A of the report, specifically in relation to who was responsible for decision making.     

Resolved:

                      i.         It is noted that the Terms of Reference for the York Central Delivery Co-ordination Board makes a commitment at paragraph 10.19 to “Monitor, review and amend its own Terms of Reference as the project evolves”.  With this in mind, can the CSMC be advised of:

i.i.    How does the Board propose to monitor its terms of reference?

i.ii.  When were the terms of reference reviewed and if so what were the outcomes and how were these communicated to CYC and partners/stakeholders? If a review has not yet taken place, when does the board propose to undertake a review?

i.iii. If any changes to the Board’s terms of reference have been or are to be made, will there be a review of the terms of reference of the associated boards charged with the global delivery of York Central so as to ensure alignment of aims and commitments for example towards climate change?

                     ii.         Can the CSMC be provided with quarterly updates on the York Central project performance with the first report to include an updated issues schedule (page 59 of the agenda dated March 2019) with details of the actions taken and any resulting new risks given that the project is now almost 12 months further on.

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee can continue to monitor the performance of the York Central project.