Party leaders reveal their plans to ensure York thrives

Coun Andrew Waller, Liberal Democrat

INDEPENDENT assessments show York has the most buoyant economy in the north, and we will work to keep it that way, with unemployment figures consistently below Yorkshire and national averages.

Having worked in confectionery at Nestlé Rowntree and in the rail industry, I know the transformations which have happened to keep these long-standing sectors in York, as well as new growth sectors which have provided employment in financial services and administration.

We will use York’s key position within Leeds City Region and York and North Yorkshire Enterprise Partnerships to develop links with businesses, and argue for Government support for developments such as York Central, which could benefit from being an Accelerated Development Zone.

Over recent years, we have seen the growth of a modern science and technology-based economy thanks to the strength of our higher and further education sectors. An estimated 2,000 ‘green jobs’ are set to grow over the next decade, and this is supported by the Jobs Fighting Fund established in this year’s budget.

By maximising York’s connections in the promotion of tourism and retail, and the development of existing and new small businesses, we will help maintain employment.

York Enterprise has been set up by the council to promote York as open for business. The council and the Economic Partnerships, in the private and voluntary sector, will work together so the city benefits from opportunities for jobs growth. Through the roll-out of the Kingsway West Project, which is helping people into work and training and in accessing help to overcome disadvantage, will ensure no part of York misses out from being part of a flourishing economy.

In short, we have the policies to continue the 300-plus per year additional jobs created during the Liberal Democrat administration, which will be supported by 575 new homes each year.

Coun James Alexander, Labour

Understanding business has been my number one priority.

I have visited Nestlé, CPP and other York-based businesses, large and small. Labour gets what businesses are saying and we want York to be the number one destination for economic growth.

York’s Economic Partnership and the Chamber of Commerce share our concerns about elements of council economic policy, because York’s future in these tough times lies with economic growth and jobs.

We believe the council needs to play a leading role in promoting both to show York is open for business while providing good jobs for York people.

York has an unbalanced economy with an over-reliance on the public sector.

This has benefited York while the private sector was feeling the pain of the recession, but as a result of Government funding cuts, the public sector is now also feeling that pain and York’s economy is at risk. It needs existing businesses to grow and new businesses to start up or locate here.

Businesses are telling me the biggest barrier to this happening is lack of entrepreneurs and congestion.

If Labour wins control of the council, we will hold an annual business conference to promote expansion, relocation to York and start-ups.

We will get tough on congestion without a congestion charge, by using new powers to improve bus services. We will commit more money to Park&Ride expansions to convince the Government to allocate to York the money it was awarded under the previous Government.

Residents want to know who will be their voice in these tough times. Labour has a new vision for a new York and will be that voice.

Coun Ian Gillies, Conservative

IT IS vital to York to attract and retain business development, particularly in the private sector.

We support the initiatives by the universities and Science City York, particularly at Heslington East, to encourage embryonic companies to become established and to grow and develop in the city.

It is also very important that prospective employers and education establishments, particularly schools, join together to understand future skills, needs and aspirations in what has become a fast-moving economy.

I particularly welcome Government initiatives to allow local authorities to retain business rates from newly-established ventures and to support apprenticeship schemes.

Inward investment is a priority. Potential investors need information regarding what York has to offer. Planning, workforce and skills availability, housing and education all have roles to play, and it is important that York is promoted as an enterprising, world-class business and tourist destination in a global marketplace.

Working with Local Enterprise Partnerships, higher education, companies, businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and others, is also a priority. City of York Council must position itself as a facilitator for investment and growth and concentrate on what we can achieve. We must embrace and encourage entrepreneurship in all its forms.

To attract residents and visitors to the city centre, it is our intention to introduce pay-on-exit parking in its car parks, consult on extending our pedestrian streets and enforce city centre traffic regulations to create a safer environment for us all to appreciate and enjoy.

The evening economy, festivals, culture and sport also have a vital role to play in the present and future economy of York, and it is our challenge to support and partner those in the private, public and voluntary sectors to maintain and enhance this special and historic place.

Coun Andy D’Agorne, Green

THE local economy is at the heart of the Green vision for York. Following recent losses of manufacturing jobs, it is crucial to protect and increase diversity of employment in the public private and voluntary/community sectors.

We oppose public-sector job cuts and privatisation, believing that a decent society should provide proper social care, facilities for young people and high-quality education and health services. It is sound economic sense at a time of recession to keep jobs and therefore tax income and spending power in the economy.

We also want more support for local independent business and new start-ups, including social enterprises, public-interest companies, co-operatives and young entrepreneurs.

We need a strong local economy, including smaller and medium-sized businesses, local companies committed to York, innovative and green technologies and promotion of local and regional production and purchasing.

“Green jobs” will make a big contribution to local resilience in the face of climate change and steeply-rising global fuel prices, and will help achieve transition to a low-carbon economy. We have already helped create local jobs through the pilot, £100,000-per-year home insulation scheme and pushed forward plans for more job creation, installing solar panels on council housing and York buildings.

We support organisations like Future Prospects and colleges, helping people retrain with new skills, and propose ‘green jobs’ training programmes to help local companies win contracts in the energy, transport, waste reduction and local food sectors.

We also need a wholesale review of our retail policy to focus on strengthening York’s unique city centre shopping offer. We oppose new, damaging out-of-town retail developments and support the “New City Beautiful” approach, promoting high-quality public spaces and parks and better transport to attract the necessary investment for our city.