Report of the Chairman

The Chairman of the Committee presented a copy of the draft final report on the Policy Review on Promoting Economic Vitality, including Markets, for consideration by the Committee prior to submission to Cabinet in March 2019.

THE DECISION:

That it be recommended to Cabinet that:-

(1)     the Committee endorses the initiatives in delivering the Council’s key priority ‘Driving Economic Vitality’ as detailed within the Council Plan;

(2)     the Committee supports the continued collaborative working with stakeholders, businesses and traders working towards building more vibrant towns;

(3)     the success of projects identified within the individual Vibrant Market Towns Investment Plans be assessed after six months of their implementation or such other period as appropriate;

(4)     the issues regarding empty shops be monitored and an assessment of the new initiatives to encourage occupation by new traders be provided after six months of their implementation or such other period as appropriate;

(5)     continued communication with market traders and the organisers of farmers markets be undertaken in order to encourage new traders and the reinstatement of the farmers markets within the market towns;

(6)     the opportunities presented by hosting major sporting events and other bespoke events such as festivals and seasonal markets continue to be explored and implemented; and

(7)     continued improvements to communications on the support offered to businesses be explored.

Report of the Chairman

A report of the Chairman of the Committee was considered which reminded the Committee of the terms of reference of the review and of information which had been identified in the project plan.

Nicole Patterson, Business and Economy Manager, Hambleton District Council; David Shields of Welcome to Yorkshire and Julie Robinson, Northallerton BID Manager, attended the meeting to provide evidence.  A number of questions were asked by the Committee which were responded to at the meeting.

(A full account of the questions raised and responses is available as part of the Committee’s records).

The Committee was satisfied with the information provided, but considered it needed more information on issues raised and additional evidence in order to progress the review.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     the information provided so far be received; and

(2)     Helen Kemp, Director of Economy and Planning and Peter Cole, Vibrant Market Towns Project Manager, be invited to attend the next meeting of the Committee in January 2019.

Report of the Chairman

A report of the Chairman of the Committee was considered which reminded the Committee of the terms of reference of the review and of information which had been identified in the project plan.

Helen Kemp, Director of Economy and Planning, attended the meeting to provide evidence.

(A full account of the questions raised and responses is available as part of the Committee’s records).

The Committee was satisfied with the information provided, but considered it needed more information on issues raised and additional evidence in order to progress the review.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     the information provided so far be received; and

(2)     Julia Robinson, BID Manager and David Shields, Welcome to Yorkshire, be invited to attend the next meeting of the Committee in November 2018.