York’s Conservative-led administration has put forward a robust response to a council report warning of the dangers of York’s lower-wage economy by pledging to continue to push forward long-term city developments which will reap significant economic benefits and help position York as “the intellectual hub of the Northern Powerhouse”.
The council report, which suggested a strategy refresh, noted that whilst higher-wage sectors like creative industries and financial services are growing faster than other parts of the local economy, they represent a minority of jobs in York, with the majority still in the retail, tourism and care industries which are not able to keep up with the increase in house prices.
Cllr. Ian Gillies, Leader of the Council said: “York has well-established strengths on which our administration is building. We have superb digital and transport connectivity, growing creative and high-value sectors, and the city is a highly desirable place to live and work.
“However, we are mindful that with success come issues, and we don’t want York to turn into a high-end dormitory hot-spot which prices out local people.
“With the right collaboration and investment we can build on this enviable platform to attract new sectors and develop a more resilient economy.”
Whilst the economic strategy is only partway through its life, progress such as the submission of a Local Plan to the Government, the expectation that an initial planning application for the 111 acre York Central regeneration scheme will be submitted to the council next month and progress on the £30m development plans for the Castle Gateway area mean that the administration may look to update the strategy for 2020 and beyond to reflect the fast-moving pace of national and regional change.