York council’s deputy leader has accused a leading business organisation of ‘talking down’ the city.
Cllr Pete Kilbane made the accusation after the leader of the York BID told councillors how concerned traders were about parking fee rises proposed in the budget.
Andrew Lowson said businesses feared the “extreme price rises” would drive people “to other destinations”.
In his address to the budget executive meeting on Tuesday, Mr Lowson said a Tockwith resident had emailed him about the BID’s Colour & Light projections at York Minster. The resident said the cost of parking “will perhaps dissuade us from popping in”.
And he raised concerns about a York tourist tax, also part of the budget consultations.
He said the Hospitality Association York, which represents many of the city’s larger hotels, were disappointed they weren’t consulted.
“So this past week has demonstrated that I think improvements to partner working need to be done,” Mr Lowson said.
“Talking partnerships is easy. True partnership working takes commitment and a willingness from all sides.”
In response, Cllr Kilbane, the council’s lead on the economy, said: “I am getting a little bit fed up, if you don’t mind me saying, with people talking down York.”
He said that York hotels had enjoyed “a bumper year”, footfall had increased “massively” and so had bus passengers.
“Now, I kind of expect [Lib Dem opposition leader] Ayre to try and talk it down, because he’s got leaflets to write. I am a little disappointed that the BID are doing similar.
“So we’ve heard tonight about the Colour & Light exhibition, total failure to mention the fact that that was funded by the council.
“You know, the good things that are happening in York are done by everybody, all of us, working in partnership. But it seems that some people like to blame the council for everything they think is wrong, but are very slow to praise the things that we are doing.”
He added that the council had talked to representatives of the tourist industry “for the best part of a year” over the tourist tax, “but those talks had basically run out of steam”.
Colour & Light is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, money from the government which is allocated by City of York Council.
After the exchange, York Lib Dem economy spokesperson Cllr Ashley Mason said it was worrying that “there seems to have been a complete breakdown in the relationship between the council’s economy boss and the head of the business community in York.
“A lack of consultation is a theme for this Labour council who act like they always know best.”
‘We won’t stay quiet’
In response to Cllr Kilbane’s comments, Mr Lowson, who’s the executive director of York BID (Business Improvement District), was unrepentant.
“It is the BID’s job to represent the views of businesses,” he told YorkMix.
“Yes we do a lot of good partner working with the council, but that doesn’t mean the organisation stays quiet on issues where members want to voice their opinion.
“The BID has regular board meetings and the Hospitality Association York also meets regularly.
“The budget involved subject matter that has direct impact on these group agendas, but nobody from CYC came to present. The council conducted budget workshops with community and residential, but not businesses.
“Partnership working only works if you use choose to use those partnerships.”
‘Business relies on confidence’
Cllr Kilbane told YorkMix: “It is York BID’s job to represent its members and we welcome that. They are a trusted partner and valuable critical friend.
“However, business relies on confidence and when we have such good economic indicators, with York bucking the national trend, I think we all need to shout about it.
“York is heading in the right direction. The economy is buoyant, and in the city centre we are hitting the sweet spot of fewer cars coming into council car parks while footfall, bus usage and visitor spend is on the up.
“Hoteliers also had a bumper year and the huge opportunities provided by York Central are just around the corner.
“The council is elected by the residents of York, and we will always put the resident voice first.
“However, thriving businesses are central to the success of our city, and we will continue to work closely with York BID, and other business groups, as partnership working is crucial to the ongoing vitality of our economy.
“As for Cllr Mason, he really needs a reality check. This budget consultation has been the longest and most in depth in recent history. He really is just saying anything for the sake of saying something.”