York and North Yorkshire’s Business Board met in York on Thursday with industry insights across the region topping the agenda.
Board member Caroline Bell gave an update on the challenges facing food and farming in the region, before further updates were shared across manufacturing, rail and the creative industries.
Jennifer Wood, Chair of York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Business Board said: “Globally, we are in a period of change. Our rural economy is really experiencing that right to the core.
“We are spearheads for this economy in York and North Yorkshire and we must shout loudly about our unique strengths, talking about industries that are coming through, such as Agritech, and really support them.
“There are some amazing things happening, and with the right funding, we will be able to support these industries. That has been a key takeaway for me.”
The UK Government’s new trade agreement with the European Union was highlighted by Wood as something that could offer a “green shoot” for the region’s economy.
“Exports has been a real green shoot,” Wood said.
“Our relationship with the EU is going to really help this as we will be able to export food and farming goods onto the continent without the jurisdiction and the red tape that we have had before.
“As a Business Board, we have to make sure that we encourage that to happen as quickly as possible.”
At its quarterly meeting on Thursday, Mayor David Skaith shared his thoughts on the Spending Review. Skaith said that he welcomed the investment into York and North Yorkshire but reiterated his desire for further support for rural and coastal areas.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said: “Our Business Board offer an important voice to understand how announcements such as the Spending Review are received by those helping to drive our region’s economy.
“I reiterated to the Board that we will make every pound work and work with government to ensure that we deliver for our communities.
“Working in collaboration with the Business Board, we are developing a growth plan that will not only highlight our strengths as a region, but also help government to deliver on their plan for change.”
At the meeting, an update of the Local Growth Plan was presented to the Board as members continue to support the preparation of the Local Growth Plan. An overview of the current York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub Business Support Service was shared with members providing feedback on the service design and development for the upcoming year.
Business Board members also endorsed the proposed Investment Framework approach. An Investment Framework is being developed for York and North Yorkshire to support decision-making around future investment and prioritisation of propositions. It will also be used to proactively managed a pipeline of investable opportunities.