The establishing of a new forum for business and community leaders to discuss the local economy has been welcomed today by the leader of the council's Labour Group, Coun. David Scott. He said York Business Forum will be an excellent way for interested parties to come together to discuss and debate the best way for York's economy to move forward.

He commented:

"York's business leaders have felt marginalised for some time now so this is great news for the city. It is these people who know the real situation for businesses in the city, and the council must engage in a dialogue with them to ensure everything is being done that can be to support them. These are the organisations that employ local people and for that reason and others it is important we know the challenges that they have to face.

"The prevailing economic situation is certainly one challenge we cannot ignore and this forum will help to map out how best we meet that challenge. I'm disappointed that it's taken over 6 months for the council to get this up and running, particularly given what is happening in the economy but we must look forward now.

"Following this positive step, it is time a replacement for the now defunct Economic Development Board is set up and meeting so that economic development is being properly addressed and fed into the decision-making process. The council must not simply sit back and say private organisations are separate to the council - we must all work in partnership or the council will have failed local people as well as the businesses that employ them".

York Business Forum will have its first meeting at the National Science Learning Centre, at the University of York on 8th October.