Issue - meetings

Considered – A report by Mark Kibblewhite, Senior Policy Officer, Business and Environmental Services and Liz Small, Growth and Heritage Services Manager, Business and Environmental Services. The report outlined the delivery of the Council’s Plan for Economic Growth achieved in 2021/22.

The key points are summarised below:

·       The overall health of the economy in North Yorkshire is returning to pre-pandemic levels of productivity, with the hospitality sector proving to be resilient and recovering strongly.

·       The rate of unemployment and claimant count in North Yorkshire remains significantly below regional and national averages. Richmondshire is currently the lowest in the county, with Scarborough showing the highest claimant count rate in North Yorkshire, but these are still below regional and national averages.

·       At the height of the pandemic, the number of furloughed workers in the County was among the highest in the North of England. However, towards the end of the furlough scheme, this had reduced to below national averages.

·       Constrained labour supply will be a limiting factor on future growth opportunities.

·       There remains long standing wage discrepancies between different parts of the County and between the wages of residents and of workers within an area.

·       The Government’s business support programmes have so far been successful in protecting jobs and businesses through furlough support.

·       An emerging effect of the pandemic is that of sharply rising inflation which, exacerbated by war in Ukraine, is forecast to reach up to 8%.

Activity over the last year in relation to the Economic Growth plan included:

·       The development of the Harrogate 47 commercial units at the A1(M) junction in Flaxby, with NYCC supporting the transport infrastructure to enable the scheme to progress.

·       £32 million secured for Harrogate, Selby and Skipton through the Transforming Cities Fund to improve the town centres.

·       Support to Scarborough Borough Council to progress Towns Fund investment of £37.3m in Scarborough (£20.2m) and Whitby (£17.1m).

·       Development of a Cultural Framework for North Yorkshire was recently agreed by the Executive, supporting economic growth, transformation and social cohesion.

·       Transport maintenance is very important to keep everyone moving, for example Kex Gill A59 improvements.

·       Development of cycling and walking infrastructure plans to support active travel

·       Working with the LEP to help grow the skills agenda (17k supported over 7 years).

·       Development of a Skills Strategy for North Yorkshire with City of York Council and looking post-Covid at the future skills needs of the economy in North Yorkshire with the University of York.

·       NYCC have spent £215m with local businesses in the county on goods and services. Preston is an example of a local authority that has made a commitment to buy local. It is felt there will be a bigger opportunity to buy local more as part of the new unitary council.

·       Supporting Government plans around ELMS (Environmental Land Management Scheme) to help reduce carbon emissions and help the development of an environmentally friendly future.

·       Enhanced broadband connections for residents, with town centre Wi-Fi now up and running across the county (21 in total),  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154