Forecasters are saying that it will get warmer next week.
With the thaw will come rain and concerns about flooding.
The worse floods in York have usually occurred when the ground has been saturated, where there has also been rapid snow melt upstream and when this has coincided with heavy rain.
We hope this doesn’t happen next week.
Meanwhile we have had some rare winter views to enjoy in and around the City over the last few days.
Research for Age UK* has shown that nearly a million people in the UK feel lonelier at Christmas and City of York Council is urging residents to think of vulnerable friends and neighbours this winter.
The cold weather can have a significant impact on people’s physical and mental health and with the cold and icy conditions vulnerable people can tend to stay at home.
Top tips for supporting older vulnerable neighbours, friends and relatives, include:
The council is also reminding people of its top tips to stay well this winter:
Cllr Sheena Jackson joined York’s volunteer snow warden network
City of York Council volunteer snow wardens were quick to respond to the snow and icy conditions across the city, rural areas and villages.
Volunteers have been clearing vital footpaths and roads, making sure residents can access local shops and facilities.
Phil McBride, snow warden from Woodthorpe, said: “I’ve been a snow warden for five years and regularly watch weather reports to know where and when to clear. Today, I’ve been clearing the paths around Woodthorpe focusing on those residents who can’t get around so easily. “
It’s important to report empty salt bins although we hope that they won’t be needed again this year
The council’s volunteer snow warden initiative has grown from strength to strength, with 211 volunteers ready to respond to wintry weather. These hardy volunteers are residents who give up their time to clear snow during bad weather. They help out with clearing snow and sprinkling grit on pavements, with Bishophill and Dunnington volunteers coordinating their efforts and operating as a group.
The council provides snow wardens with training and safety advice, together with boxes of salt to use on public footpaths and streets. They are also issued with a snow shovel and a fluorescent ‘snow warden’ jacket.
Cllr Waller, acting leader for City of York Council (and volunteer snow warden) said: “Our snow wardens are a great example of the community coming together to help each other. They go out in cold and icy conditions to clear paths and help some of our most vulnerable get out and about. We’re really grateful for the work they do.
“If anyone would like to be snow warden, please contact 01904 551550 or visit www.york.gov.uk/info/20073/volunteering/894/volunteer_snow_wardens. In the meantime, during weather like this, please carry on looking out for each other.”
Winter is here. The cold weather can have a significant impact on people’s health and with the cold and icy conditions vulnerable people can tend to stay at home.
Top tips for supporting older vulnerable neighbours, friends and relatives, include:
Councillor Carol Runciman, executive member for adult social care and health, City of York Council, said: “For hundreds of older and vulnerable people across the York area the winter can be a lonely and difficult time.
“Simply popping in to check on vulnerable neighbours or make time for elderly relatives and friends to make sure they are warm, happy and healthy can make such a difference.”
The council is also reminding people to stay well this winter, here’s our top tips:
Hospital report on A & E performance
Cllr Chris Cullwick, Liberal Democrat Vice Chair of the Council’s Health Committee, has written to the Secretary of State to highlight the imminent challenges York Teaching Hospital NHS Trust faces this winter.
In a recent meeting of the Health, Housing and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee, the Trust reported on a number of serious risks which would undermine their ability to handle increased demand for services during the winter period.
Care services in York continue to face unprecedented financial challenges and despite the recently announced £350 million by the Chancellor for the NHS this winter, far more is needed to create the extra capacity required.
The ramifications of a ‘hard’ Brexit are also being felt, as the Trust reported difficulties in recruiting to vacant positions, previously occupied by EU workers.
Cllr Chris Cullwick said:
“I am seriously concerned about our City’s capacity to effectively respond to increasing service demand this winter.
York’s NHS and Adult Social Care services are already facing huge financial pressures in their day-to-day work and given the Chancellor’s recent omission of Adult Social Care funding in his Autumn Budget, the burden looks set to worsen.
Furthermore, the Government’s dogged pursuit of a ‘Hard Brexit’ has adversely affected previously sustainable workforces. Many EU Workers are leaving their care roles due to their tenuous position in the UK and services are finding it tough to replace them. Even if more money was available, this seriously weakens the Trust’s ability to manage during the winter months.
The risks are clear and; the Government must act swiftly to address these issues. I have written to the Secretary of State seeking his urgent attention to these issues and York’s position.
York Explore Library :
Thu 23 Nov :
6.30pm – 8.00pm :
£5
Penguin and Waterstones present award-winning author, Ali Smith, who will be discussing her new novel, Winter. The follow-up to her sensational Autumn, Smith’s shape-shifting quartet of novels casts a merry eye over a bleak post-truth era with a story rooted in history, memory and warmth, its taproot deep in the evergreens: art, love, laughter.
Ali has previously been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, the Folio Prize and the Orange Prize, and has been the winner of the Baileys Prize, the Goldsmiths Prize and the Costa Novel Award.
Book at Waterstones York, by phone (01904) 620784.
To book tickets please click here.
With continuing mild weather, the effects of Labours decision, to scrap most salt bins in the City, have yet to be felt.
But clearly most people don’t feel that they should be expected to make up for the Councils irresponsible attitude to safety
Many residents do, of course, routinely clear the footpaths outside their homes of snow but others are unable to do so for health or domestic reasons.
“Snow wardens” effectively formalise this tradition.
Snow wardens are given basic training by the Council. Volunteers are provided with a high-visibility vest, snow-clearing kit and grit (salt) so that they are able to make a difference in their neighbourhoods.
If you like to become a snow warden contact Michal on (01904) 551832, or e-mail michal.czekajlo@york.gov.uk.
The next training session is taking place on Wednesday 4th December 2013, 18:00-20:00 (training and Q&A time)
A map showing the location of snow wardens in each ward can be found by clicking here.
The roads on which Westfield 8 volunteers are located are:
The map currently shown on the Councils web site appears to be out of date.
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City of York Council says that it is is supporting Public Health England’s Cold Weather Plan which looks at ways of reducing unnecessary deaths and illness this winter.
click to access
They say that there are between 2000 and 2500 excess winter deaths each year in Yorkshire and Humber, many of which are preventable.
The Cold Weather Plan aims to prevent avoidable harm to people’s health by highlighting the negative health effects cold weather can have whilst enabling people to prepare and respond appropriately.
