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Anti social behaviour on the increase. Residents urged to complete policing survey

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We’ve commented before, that the number of high profile PCSO patrols in the area  does have an effect on anti social behaviour problems.

With lighter nights, and dry weather, now with us problems are increasing.

There have been more problems recently particularly in the Foxwood area where misuse of mopeds has become endemic in at least the Bellhouse Way area.

It is a similar picture in Chapelfields, where a poll currently being undertaken by LibDem Councillors has revealed that “moped gangs” are now the most serious crime issue on the estate.

71% say they are a problem.

Its clear though that the local police force simply don’t have enough officers to be able to offer reassurance patrols as often as residents would like.

There is still time to respond to the Police and Crime Commissioners survey on neighbourhood policing. It is she who ultimately is responsible for Police budgets in York and North Yorkshire.

It is she who will have to allocate more resources to tackle neighbourhood issues.

Residents should make these points when they respond to the survey. Click here

It is also vitally important that residents, who witness anti social behaviour of any kind, do report the issue to the police (via 101)

Armed Forces Week in York starts today

This year the city of York is celebrating Armed Forces Day with a week of events from Monday 25th June to Sunday 1st July.

Each year the city comes together across the week, to show support for our Armed Forces, Serving Personnel, Veterans, Cadets and their families. This year we want to demonstrate how individuals and businesses can get involved in supporting York’s Armed Forces Community with tangible appreciation throughout the year.

York has been home to armed forces since AD 71, when the first Garrison was established in the city. This means the city and the military has always held a strong bond, so this year seeks to be a continuation of this heart-felt appreciation of our Armed Forces personnel and veterans in the region.

As part of the city-wide support for our Armed Forces, York’s Armed Forces Covenant describes how we’re practically working with organisations to support active and ex-service men, women and their families in our area.

How can you or your business get involved?

Members of the public can collect a free Armed Forces Covenant business card from council West Office reception.  The card has details of the Veterans Gateway, this is a FREEPHONE telephone number for those who require help and more information on why we have the Armed Forces Covenant.  Call free on 0808 802 1212 or visit  www.veteransgateway.org.uk For more information on armed forces covenant visit www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/

·         Defence Discount Service: To register your business with the national service for free and receive national recognition call 01509 233446 or visit  www.defencediscountservice.co.uk/addaforcesdiscount.php

·         Make your pledge: To pledge your business to the armed forces covenant visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/corporate-covenant-pledge . Businesses across North Yorkshire will soon be required to be armed forces covenant corporate members before being eligible to apply for local authority contracts.

What’s on in the week?

The week of celebration and commemoration will begin with a flag raising ceremony at 10:30am on Monday 25th June, at Mansion House. Here, businesses and attractions from across York will be showing their support through discounts and offers for Armed Forces personnel. There are currently over 50 businesses signed up and many more already offering discounts through the national scheme, Defence Discount Service.

Armed Forces Day offers include:

·         York Mansion House – Free admission for Armed Forces Personnel from Monday 25th June to Sunday 1st July..

·         York Army Museum – Free admission for Armed Forces Personnel (continually)

·         Murton Park (Yorkshire Museum of Farming) – Free admission for Armed Forces Personnel (Monday 25th June – Sunday 1st July)

·         Merchant Adventurers’ Hall – Free admission for Armed Forces Personnel (Saturday 30th June)

·         First York – Free bus travel across the city for Armed Forces Personnel (Saturday 30th June)

·         York Air Museum – Annual discount for Armed Forces Personnel (continually)

Discounts are redeemable by valid accreditation and are only applicable against full priced items from some retailers.

Saturday 30th June is the national Armed Forces Day and this is when York’s annual city centre event will be taking place. The headline event will take place in Parliament Street between 11.00am – 4.00pm. This will include a range of activities for the family, demonstrations, music, information stands and much more. Every year, York’s Armed Forces Event attracts individuals from around the region – a day of fun and entertainment with sincere appreciation for the Armed Forces at the heart of it all.

Yorkshire Air Museum have been allocated a fly past by the WWII Douglas Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on Saturday 30th June, expected early afternoon.

York City Knights will also being showing their support at their home game against Newcastle on Sunday 1s t July with a special Armed Forces Day afternoon including a minutes silence for those no longer with us . Individuals holding a Ministry of Defence ID will receive complimentary entrance to the game, along with anyone accompanying them under the age of 16.

Throughout the week there will be an information display from representatives of the Armed Forces within West Offices for the public to seek out further information.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Executive Member for Community Engagement and Armed Forces Champion, looks forward to the city-wide celebration:

 “I know that York will come together to celebrate the contribution of our Armed Forces Community. It is anticipated that this year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations will be no different and that the city will celebrate and commemorate the many Armed Forces Personnel, Veterans, Cadets and their families, across York and the wider region. We want this week of events and activities to draw together all ages to learn about, appreciate and celebrate the tremendous contribution that the Armed Forces make to our community.”

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

Below is the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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86 Tedder Road York YO24 3JF

First storey side extension and conversion of garage into living accommodation (resubmission).

Ref. No: 18/01187/FUL 

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12 Beechwood Glade York YO24 3JT

Single story rear extension.

Ref. No: 18/01148/FUL 

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78 Wetherby Road Acomb York YO26 5BY

Single storey rear extension.

Ref. No: 18/01113/FUL 

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211 Hamilton Drive West York YO24 4PL

Non-material amendment to permitted application 17/02181/FUL to alter design of side extension.

Ref. No: 18/01089/NONMAT 

——

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received

What’s on in York: Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre

Europe’s first pop-up Shakespearean Theatre built next to the Clifford’s Tower

Jun _26Theatre

Mon 25 Jun – Sun 2 Sep :

Various Times :

£13.75 – £65.95

Inspired by the famous London Rose Playhouse built in 1587, the theatre will combine state-of-the-art scaffolding technology, corrugated iron and timber with the historic 13-sided design of a 16th century Shakespearean theatre. Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre will sit within a Shakespearean village showcasing the best of Yorkshire’s food and drink, with free wagon performances and other forms of Elizabethan entertainment vying for attention.

Traditional in conception, yet fresh and fun in delivery, Romeo and Juliet and Richard III will be directed by the West End’s renowned Lindsay Posner, while York Theatre Royal’s Olivier Award-winning Artistic Director Damian Cruden and Associate Director Juliet Forster will be putting their stamp on Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

To book tickets please click here.

Front Street racial abuse incident – Police seek witnesses

Officers are appealing for information and witnesses following a hate related public order crime.
The incident occurred at Morrisons on Front Street, Acomb when a man was subjected to threatening and racially abusive language.
The offence occurred at around 3pm on Wednesday, 20 June.
Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, selecting option 2, and ask for PC David Ellison. You can also email david.ellison41@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
If you wish to provide information anonymously then information can be given to the independent charity Crimestopper on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference 12180110039 when providing information.

Contact details: DAVE ELLISON david.ellison0041@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk Incident reference: 12180110039

Tours set to offer a view into the past and future of York railway station

City of York Council has teamed up with York Civic Trust to offer a window into York’s railway heritage though a series of guided walks taking place later this month.

The railway station helped to transform the city when it was opened in 1877. At the time of opening it was the largest in the world and connected York to the wider world. It helped attract new businesses, create jobs and wealth for the region while opening up York’s heritage to more visitors from across the country and beyond.

Now the railway station and surrounding area are set to play just as big a part in the first half of the 21st Century. The station will play a key role connecting the city centre and surrounding communities with York Central – one of the largest city-centre regenerations in Europe.

Tours are available to book on:

Wednesday, 27 June 2018 5pm – fully booked
Wednesday, 27 June 2018 6pm
Saturday, 30 June 2018 10am
Saturday, 30 June 2018 11am
Saturday, 30 June 2018 12 noon
Saturday, 30 June 2018 1pm

The events are part of a four-week conversation about plans to transform the front of the station into a ‘fitting gateway to the city’. Under the proposals, the redundant Queen Street Bridge would be removed to create the space for the changes, which include:

  • an improved transport interchange with separate arrival points for cars, buses, taxis and cyclists
  • moving the taxi-rank, drop-off points and short stay parking access to create car-free public spaces in Tea Room Square and a new ‘Station Square’
  • revealing hidden parts of the City Wall, the station and York Railway Institute’s buildings to offer a better setting for the city’s heritage

To book free tickets for the tour visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/york-station-tour-tickets-46841980625

You can see all the proposals online at www.york.gov.uk/stationfront

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York bus services back in the firing line?

New Rougier Street bus shelter

The York Council, as part of a “Clean Air Day”, is claiming that users of 75 cars could be accommodated on one double decker. Maybe so, but if they choose to wait at the new bus shelter on Rougier Street they will find that the real time information about bus services has disappeared.

Failure to roll out the electronic information screens to more stops has been a failing of the Council.

There are none at bus stops on Tadcaster Road which accommodate the, otherwise successful, inter city services.

Busy stops in the Acomb area have never had them.

They may be needed more and more as, following a good year in 2017 with high passenger numbers and record-breaking approval ratings in surveys, the service quality seems to be falling away again. This is mainly down to reliability with some buses being dropped without warning.

Back to the “Clean Air Day” and the Councils frankly disingenuous “on line” survey. The survey purports to ask residents whether they favour the use of lower emission buses on, and within, the inner ring road.

No prizes for the likely answer to that question. Might as well ask if residents would prefer have hemlock added to the  water supply!

Generally, air quality in York has improved in recent years with cleaner vehicles making their way onto the streets. York already has some electric buses operating on Park and Ride routes. This will reach 100% shortly following a government grant decision.

The latest Euro 6 specifications substantially reduce emission levels on new diesel buses. However, Euro 6 buses cost £250,000 each meaning that upgrading just the First fleet in York would require investment of £17.5 million.

Having raised the possibility of access for only the least polluting buses by 2020, the Council singularly fails to tell residents how much a forced modernisation programme would cost and who would pay?

One of the questions implies that the change could mean a substantial increase in fares.

Another option for bus companies seeking to pay for the minimum £15,000 per bus cost of modifications to just exhaust systems, would be for them to withdraw services from less well used routes.

The Council can’t fund additional social bus services, so the consequence would be dozens, perhaps hundreds, of more cars on City streets.

Quite the reverse of what the Council hopes to achieve.

The Council needs a well thought through and costed modernisation programme for public transport in the City.  Sloganising simply clouds the decision making process.