What’s on in York: Richard Madeley in conversation with Judy Finnigan

Wednesday 6th July 19:00 at York Explore, Museum Square, York,

TV presenter turned author Richard Madeley is heading to York Explore to discuss his work, including new novel, The Night Book – a dark, suspenseful story set in the Lake District in the heatwave summer of 1976.
Richard will be in conversation with his wife, Judy Finnigan.
The event will be followed by a book-signing, where you can have the chance to meet and chat with Richard and Judy.

Please note: This event will take place at York Explore 

Further details: 01904 620784

CCTV appeal after Acomb hair salon purse theft

 Police have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to after a purse was stolen from a York hair salon.

At about STILL 11STILL 20.50am on 6 April 2016, a man entered the salon in York Road, Acomb. He behaved suspiciously, and approached a hair stylist while holding a large piece of newspaper. He pointed to this, and to a poster on the wall, then left the building.

About ten minutes later, the stylist checked her handbag and discovered her purse was missing. It is believed the suspect used the newspaper to distract the victim and act as a shield when he stole her purse.

The victim went to the bank to cancel her cards, and there had been no unauthorised transactions. At about 2.30pm the same day, a member of the public found the victim’s purse on the road nearby. The purse was handed in to police and returned to the victim. A sum of cash was missing from it.

Despite extensive enquiries since the incident, officers have been unable to identify the suspect.

 

Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV images to get in touch, as he may have important information that could assist the investigation.

Please dial 101, select option 2 and ask for PC Alastair Foy, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Quote reference number 12160059331.

Strange case of the missing £18,000 report

Occasionally Freedom of Information (FOI) requests throw up some interesting answers.

That’s one of the reasons why we believe that the increasing numbers of QUANGOS in York should voluntarily accept and respond to FOI requests. After all, most depend heavily – some exclusively – on funding from taxpayers. The Council’s Executive had an opportunity, when discussing governance of these bodies yesterday, to increase transparency. Unfortunately it failed to take the necessary action.

The York Council should itself set an example in providing information in a candid and comprehensive way.TOR for Council central services report 2

One resident asked recently for a copy of a report commissioned by the Councils Chief Executive from PWC (Consultants). The objective of the exercise was  to improve the Council’s efficiency.

The consultancy cost taxpayers £18,000.

The Council claims that it has not kept a copy of the report (received just 12 months ago!)  and goes on to say that,

This work was commissioned by the then Chief Executive of the Council, who left the authority in July 2015. The interim Chief Executive who was in post from July 2015 determined that this particular work would not be taken forward and therefore no further discussion or action has taken place on this matter.

The Council says that it doesn’t know whether any Councillors saw the report.

This seems, on the face of it, to be a very cavalier approach to the use of taxpayers money.  

The Council’s Leadership, and incoming Chief Executive, should make sure that the report – even if unsuitable for implementation – is made publicly available.