Agenda item

This reports provides a summary of activity supporting delivery of the Economic Strategy 2022-2032, together with the Council Plan priority action “A fair and thriving economy for all”.  

The Committee were joined by Andrew Leeming the Head of Strategy at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The Interim Director of City Development introduced the report on the Council’s Economic Strategy. The Executive Member for Economy and Culture outlined how the Council’s relationship with North Yorkshire Council and the Combined Authority would ensure they all were aiming for the same goals regarding economic development. He noted they all had similar targets relating to reaching net zero carbon emissions, housing, and transport. Both York and North Yorkshire he stated also suffered from being viewed as affluent areas despite having large pockets of deprivation.

The Committee discussed the joint working with North Yorkshire and the Combined Authority in relation to growing the regions economy. Members enquired about what was to be focused on and officers confirmed that with the Combined Authority the local growth plan sought to identify areas which the reason could have an economic advantage to invest into. They confirmed that this would not be about excluding sectors but finding where York and North Yorkshire could target for growth which included areas such as food, farming, engineering, and biosciences. Members asked how the regions aims would fit with the Governments national industrial strategy and the Executive Member for Economy and Culture noted that the Council and the Combined Authority would continue to engage with Government to influence national strategies.

Skills and training were discussed by the Committee. It was confirmed that the Council would receive funding as part of the Governments trail blazers scheme to get people back into work. The Council was also pushing ahead with its Innovation Hub to support lifelong learning in the city.  

The Committee enquired about how the Council can tangibly measure the outcomes of its actions on York’s economy. They used the example of being Purple Flag accredited and how does the Council measure whether this increases tourism. The Executive Member for Economy and Culture stated that in relation to things like being Purple Flag accredited, he flet it was less the accreditation itself that attracted tourism but the things the Council invest in for the accreditation that creates a safe city that tourists wish to visit for York’s night life.

Members discussed the prospect of a tourism tax/levy, it was confirmed that this was not something the Council had powers to impose but that it could be implemented with an agreement with the hospitality sector. It was highlighted that there were challenges in relation to getting to an agreement with the sector, which had concerns relating to short-term lets and or some industry members not engaging. The Executive Member for Economy and Culture confirmed that they would continue to lobby Government for additional powers to be held at a local level for a tourism levy that would see money reinvested into the local area.

Resolved:

                         i.         To request that any work undertaken to get people back to work acknowledges the impact of individuals mental and physical health can have on work.

Reason:     To ensure individuals are adequately supported while searching for work.