Foxwood loses security patrols but gains new pantomime costumes

The amount allocated by the, now Labour controlled Ward Committee, for Foxwood residents to spend on local improvement schemes has been cut by 90%.

It is down from £18,100 to just £2250.

It means an end to Community Ranger security patrols, local salt bins won’t be filled while the annual bulky rubbish convoy has also been scrapped.

The only organisation to have escaped the cuts is the Foxwood Friendship Club which will get £500.

Bizarrely a Church Theatre Group which meets at the Community Centre have been allocated £750 to buy “new pantomime costumes”

The full list of grants is reproduced below together with the corresponding allocations for last year (which were agreed by the then Liberal Democrat led Council)

Ward Committee funding allocations. Click to enlarge

Lottery grants announced for York

3 organisations in York are to benefit from the latest Lottery awards. They are:
• Vale of York Environment Group £9,875: This is a project by a voluntary and community organisation in York. The organisation will use funding to manage a series of family nature walks and events to be delivered by BTCV in York. This will reduce isolation and enable integration among the families through outdoor activities.
• Strensall with Towthorpe Parish Council £6,720: This is a project by a parish council in Strensall, York. The organisation will use funding to erect fencing around the children’s play area. This will enable them to increase the safety of children.
• St Paul’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School £3,690: This is a project by a primary school in York. The organisation will use funding to develop a recently donated allotment plot into a community garden for children at the school and the wider community. This will enable opportunities for them to grow vegetables and learn about nature and the environment.
Some 62 groups in Yorkshire are sharing nearly £500,000 of funding this month from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All programme, with several of the groups using their awards to provide fun activities for children and young people to enjoy.

Mystery over Hull Road swimming pool charges as Energise upgrade revealed

With the August opening of the York Sport Village at Grimston Bar getting close, residents are being kept in the dark about casual use charges. The Sports Village website www.york-sport.com is currently touting for members but is silent about the arrangements for “walk up” use.

The need for affordable prices was one of the conditions of the Council’s £2 million grant to the project which replaces the former pool at the Barbican.

Currently the Sports Village is offering a pre opening membership fee of £39.95 per month (concessions £36) which is broadly in line with other gyms in the area although the swimming pool will be by far the largest in the City.

The £9 million facility, which is a joint venture between the Council, York University and Sport England, includes:
• . Eight-lane swimming pool
• . Floodlit outdoor full size 3G football pitch and three five-a-side pitches
• . 120-station fitness suite and three studios for classes
• . Spa facilities

Energise

Meanwhile work is starting on a further expansion of the Energise sports centre on Cornlands Road. The gym area will be doubled providing space for more classes and a 50% increase in the number of machines. Members get access to gym, swim and classes and can have individual exercise plans.

Fitness suite membership is available for £33 a month with casual admission charges (with YorkCard) from £4-80. The swimming pool charge is £3.65.

A 3D “walk round” of the new facilities can be found here http://tinyurl.com/Energise-Upgrade