Guilty plea by #York restaurant which caused anaphylactic shock https://t.co/HwYP41hFfg
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York tech companies invited to supply £2.85m project

The city’s tech companies are being urged not to miss the opportunity to supply City of York Council on a ground-breaking £2.85m project to change the way the city manages traffic.

We want to hear from companies that supply high quality IT infrastructure, transport technology, data collection/processing or have an expertise in data visualisation and presentation to join our Smart Transport Evolution Project (STEP). STEP is a £2.85m project funded by the Department for Transport which looks how digital technology can improve travel.

Companies are being invited to an event on Friday 23 November at the National Railway Museum where we will be running two sessions. Spaces are limited so people are urged to sign up in advance. During these people will be given a short walk through of the STEP project, an opportunity to meet the project team to Explore how your service or product could develop the project and to meet other companies in the supply chain.

This DfT funded project will change the way York and potentilly all historic cities manage traffic, relieving congestion and reducing emissions in York and potentially across the globe. To learn more, visit https://www.york.gov.uk/smart

For more information or to register visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-tech-supplier-event-for-step-a-285m-project-in-york-tickets-51580813602

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Guilty plea by restaurant which caused anaphylactic shock

A restaurant which served a customer with an ingredient to which they were allergic, has pleaded guilty at York Crown Court which today (16 November 2018) ordered it to pay a total £10,721.

On  9 February 2018, the Garden of India served a customer with a severe pepper (capsicum) allergy, an onion bhajii.

The customer checked twice when ordering and was told by an employee that there were no peppers in the bhajii. But it did, in fact, contain green pepper.

The customer only realised this when she had eaten the food and began to go into anaphylactic shock.

On 24 September 2018, Garden of India (York) Ltd and its director Mr Shahin Miah (aged 46 of Colwyn Road, Leeds) pleaded guilty to offences under the Food Safety Act 1990.

In mitigation, the business said it has been running for 26 years and this is only their second time in court, it’s willing to take advice and has improved a number of procedures already.

Today, York Crown Court imposed a £3,334 fine for the company, a £1,800 fine for Mr Miah and £5,587.66 costs.

Cllr Andrew Waller, deputy leader of City of York Council and executive member for environment, said: “This is a concerning case which illustrates the absolute need for businesses to recognise and act on the importance of food allergens, customers’ health and the law.

“Food businesses have a legal and moral responsibility to control allergen risks by knowing what’s in the food they serve, by avoiding cross contamination and training staff.”

Cllr Jenny Brooks, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods, said: “Customer confidence in the city’s food premises is so important and, while this is a very rare case for York, complying with the law around food allergies is crucial.

“We give advice which, if not complied with, can lead to legal action and we welcome customers reporting concerns to public.protection@york.gov.uk.”

Advice on food safety and standards is available at www.york.gov.uk/FoodSafetyStandards or, any businesses wanting tailored advice and guidance, are welcome to call us on (01904) 551525.

Empty elderly persons accommodation an increasing problem in York

Oakhaven

The enthusiasm shown by the York Council in moving elderly people out of their homes is being questioned.

Some empty Elderly Persons Homes have yet to be reused

We highlighted the neglected state of Willow House last month. It has been empty for over a year.

..but this pales to insignificance when you consider what has happened at Oakhaven on York Road.

Residents moved out of the building 3 years ago.

In 2015 the Council announced that a new facility would be built there as part of a plan to provide 525 new elderly persons places “before the end of 2018”. Work at Oakhaven was timetabled to be complete with the new facility ready for occupation by May 2018.  We said at the time “Given the Council’s shambolic record on project management, we doubt if we will see any improvements much before the end of the decade”.

More than a year ago the Council said that a new facility would not open until “2019 at the earliest”.

There is still no sign of work starting.

Oakhaven site plans published earlier in the year

In February the Councils preferred operator for a new facility Ashley House – who had been appointed in March 2017 – consulted on a proposed design but nothing more was heard about the plans.

No redevelopment timetable has been published by the Council and an update report doesn’t even figure in the Councils forward plan which cover the period up to the end of March. There will be an item on the November Executive agenda but this refers only to Lincoln Court and Glen Lodge

There has been  some short term use of the buildings to house potentially homeless people but these are now well catered for by a  new building at James Street

In the meantime, the delays will mean more pressure on hospital beds as managers struggle during the winter period to find suitable accommodation into which recovering older people can be transferred.

Wetherby Road traffic speed petition handed to Council

Cllr Andrew Waller has today handed a petition to the City of York Council asking them to address speeding concerns on Wetherby Road.

The move comes only a few days before work at the nearby roundabout junction with the A1237 is due to reach its final stages. Residents are concerned that the easier access to and from the roundabout will result in higher speeds in the built-up area.

About twelve months ago a flashing speed warning sign was removed form the road. The petition calls for it to be reinstated and the Police mobile camera van to pay occasional visits to the street.

When the flashing sign was working around 39% of passing vehicles trigger it, suggesting that there was already a speeding issue on the road.

Some residents have suggested that any new sign should display the actual speed of the passing vehicle. This type of sign has proved to be effective in neighbouring counties in reinforcing the speeding message to motorist.

The petition will now be considered by the Council prior to a report and recommendations for action being published.

What’s on in York: Introduction to Local History

Nov _17History

York Explore Library 

Sat 17 Nov :

1.00pm – 4.00pm :

£25

Are you interested in finding out about the history of your local area, but unsure as to where to start?

Join Explore’s Archivist (Access and Engagement), Laura Yeoman, in this hands-on introductory session.

The session will cover commonly-used materials including maps, trade directories, photographs and archival documents. There will be an opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with the archives, and to get your burning questions answered!

Please visit our ticketing website to book a place.

What’s on in York: The Understated Ladybird – puppets, poetry and animation

Ladybird

York Explore Library 

Sat 17 Nov :

10.00am – 4.00pm :

Free

Visual artist Stephen Hodgkins and poet Henry Raby need you to bring Stephen’s children’s story book “The Understated Ladybird” to life.  We will be using puppets, writing poetry and creating animation on an interactive digital table so we need 6 – 12 year olds to help us at this free event!

The project will use the latest touch screen technologies to produce an interactive digital experience displayed on Explore York’s interactive digital table.

For a free ticket book in person at any York library or by calling (01904) 552828 or email arts@exploreyork.org.uk.

What’s on in York: Caring for historic documents

Nov _17Caring

York Explore Library 

Sat 17 Nov :

9.30am – 11.30am :

£18

Do you have family papers hidden away in your loft or cupboards?

Are you unsure what to do with them, what to keep, or how best to preserve them for your family?

Join Explore’s Archivist (Access and Engagement), Laura Yeoman, to learn the best ways to care for your paper documents at home (and parchment if you have any!).

Please visit our ticketing website to book a place.

What’s on in York: YorNight – York Researchers’ Night

Nov _17ResearchKing’s Manor and the Yorkshire Museum :

Sat 17 Nov :

3.00pm – 8.00pm :

Free

Prepare for a journey of discovery as we explore the fascinating world of research at York Researchers’ Night (YorNight) 2018.

Through talks and fun activities for all ages, find out about the diverse research being carried out in our city, and its power to influence and transform our daily lives.

Held on Saturday 17 November and hosted by the University of York, YorNight offers a warm welcome at the historic King’s Manor and the Yorkshire Museum.

All events are FREE and no booking is needed.

YorNight 2018 is presented by the University of York with support from the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF).

For more information please visit our website.

Cashless giving supports rough sleepers to get earlier help, say charities

A new cashless giving option to support rough sleepers is being offered as an alternative to giving cash direct which can delay them getting help into safer lives.

Administered by Two Ridings Community Foundation, this easy scheme lets people donate by text to a fund which they can be confident will support genuinely homeless people off the streets and into safer and more stable lives by specialised charities.

The fund has been set up by the council in partnership with Two Ridings, which runs the York Disaster Fund. Proceeds will be shared among Changing Lives, The Salvation Army and Carecent.

These charities offer people sleeping rough immediate practical support, helps them into hostels, and then into longer term support. This includes supporting those with mental health or substance misuse issues, training and finding employment, finding a home and maintaining a tenancy.

A similar scheme administered by Changing Lives was launched in November 2016. Money raised was shared by the charities to pay for personalised support. This included paying for haircuts for those preparing for interviews; copies of identification so bank accounts can be opened and tenancies secured; a first months’ rent for a flat; and gym passes to support work to stop substance misuse and improve mental health.

People who wish to help are asked to give by texting the message YORK35 £ to the number 70070, indicating how much they wish to give after the £.

Nicky Gladstone of charity Carecent, said: “People in York are always very generous, and it just doesn’t feel right to walk past people who are begging on the streets.

“It can be hard to realise that giving money directly to people who beg can prolong their situation and discourage them from seeking the right help and support.

“If you see someone begging, give them a smile and say hello. Offer to buy them a coffee or a sandwich. And if you want to give money, then do consider donating by text to groups who can really make a difference.”

Please text YORK35 £3 – or whatever sum you’d like to give – to 70070.

Donations from the public will be shared between:

  • Carecent, a York-based breakfast centre which provides food and clothing, support and advice
  • The Salvation Army’s Early Intervention and Prevention Team in York which identifies vulnerable people on the street and, provides accommodation, health assessments and food among other services
  • Changing Lives provides accommodation and support to homeless men and women in York.

As usual at Christmastime, local services continue to provide meals and support for people who experience homelessness, including donated presents to help make the day special.

Anyone who sees someone sleeping rough can ring Streetwise on 0300 500 0194, a national helpline which alerts local agencies to visit the location and offer support.

Wetherby Road roundabout – final resurfacing works due to start next week

Work on Wetherby Road roundabout proceding on schedule

The final stage of the Wetherby Road roundabout upgrade, the first of seven to be upgraded, will begin on Monday 19 November when overnight road surfacing works take place.

To keep disruption to a minimum work will take place overnight from 8pm-6am. The work is scheduled to take ten nights, from 19 – 28 November  including Saturday and Sunday

In order to carry out the works safely the use of a temporary road closure on the A1237 from the roundabout at A59 to the roundabout at Askham Lane and the closure of Wetherby Road from the junction of Beckfield Lane to the junction of Grange Lane will be necessary whilst works are taking place. The road will remain open as normal outside the above hours.

Clearly signed diversion routes will be set out for traffic. The closure is to ensure that health and safety is maintained for everyone.Site staff will be on hand to advise and assist residents about the access restrictions once the works are ongoing.

Emergency services will be permitted through the works in any situation, however, cyclists will be subject to the same traffic management as other vehicular road users.

As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience to the public, however we will try at all times to keep this to a minimum.

There may be further works following on from this period but these will be carried out under lane closures and temporary signals with the A1237 and Wetherby Road remaining open.

When the roundabout is completed it will be the first of seven to receive three lane entrances and two lane exits as part of a £38m scheme to reduce congestion on the York Outer Ring Road.

The York Outer Ring Road improvements programme is being funded through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal – a £1 billion package of Government investment through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Regio

For more information about the York Outer Ring Road improvements visit www.york.gov.uk/yorr Continue reading →