Priority c) Economy: A fair, thriving, green economy for all
Developing the city
York remains a fantastic place to live, work and visit. Aligned to this is the Our City Centre regeneration work which has developed, and is consulting, on a new masterplan for the Castle and Eye of York area to make the area more accessible, family friendly and more vibrant.
York Central is one of the biggest brownfield development opportunities in Europe with strategic developers McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate now in place. Highway infrastructure for the site is well progressed with planning approval for a government hub to bring 2,600 civil services jobs to the city and the revitalisation of National Railway Museum’s Central Hall.
Following consultation with residents and businesses, improvements to Acomb Front Street, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, have been approved with work beginning in October 2024. The improvements will see:
- an increased ability to hold events and community activities
- wider and more accessible public crossings
- removal of two-thirds of the bollards
- four accessible Blue Badge car parking locations
- more seating and bins
- a community notice board
- new planting
Working at a regional level
The establishment of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, and the election of its first Mayor of York and North Yorkshire in May 2024, creates significant opportunities to secure funding for York. This has led to the development of a York pipeline of projects, aligned to the Council Plan and the Combined Authority’s Regional Economic Framework, which was approved in July 2024. At time of writing, over £18m has been secured for all projects within York, including our own projects, such as work on the city centre, skills, cultural passports, transport, brownfield housing and net zero projects with further investment in the pipeline.
Good business
We continue to promote the Good Business Charter and Living Wage Foundation. We celebrated Living Wage Week and have uploaded Good Business Charter case studies onto our website. We also continue to support businesses to start up and flourish through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Over 1,000 York businesses have had support through the funding, which has led to business growth, securing jobs and investment in the city and removing over 200 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the city’s carbon footprint.
Skills for the future
Recognising the need for skills development, particularly linked to the green construction sector, such as retrofitting, we've launched the Construction York Skills Initiative. This aims to equip York residents, particularly those from disadvantaged, underrepresented and underemployed groups, with relevant skills, qualifications and experience to progress in construction. Our Retrofit training project, in partnership with North Yorkshire, is upskilling Council, social landlord and supply chain employees to undertake the retrofitting of social housing.
What we plan to do over the next three months
- review feedback from engagement on Castle and Eye of York consultation
- work with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to secure additional funding for York priorities
Areas of Positive Performance
City outcomes
There were 767 business start ups (year to February 2024).
The percentage of vacant shops in the city centre was 8.1% in August 2024, compared to the national benchmark of 14%.
The percentage of working age population in employment (16 to 64 year olds) was 78% in 2023 to 2024, compared to the national benchmark of 75.6%.
The percentage of total employees working for an accredited Living Wage Employer was 16% in 2022 to 2023, compared to 14% in 2021 to 2022.
