City of York Council’s Trading Standards Officers have received a number of complaints from York residents about a gang carrying out roofing repairs.
The complainants – most of whom are in their 80’s – claim that they have been pressurised into agreeing to unnecessary repairs after being led to believe that their roofs are in poor condition. (more…)
The York Council’s Leaders claims, that Nick Clegg favoured a citywide 20 mph speed limit in York, have proved to be untrue.
In a letter to The Press, the LibDem’s Chief Executive confirms that the party’s policy is that decisions on appropriate speed limits should be taken locally, and reflect the different conditions that exist on roads in different parts of the country.
In York, Liberal Democrats are resisting the Labour plan to introduce a 20 mph speed limit across the whole of the City believing that available resources should be concentrated on reducing the number of Killed and Seriously Injured on roads in the City.
Individual roads ahould have the most appropriate speed limit bearing in mind their individual characteristics and accident potential.
The letter reads,
“It is disappointing to see Labour’s Coun James Alexander twisting the words of Nick Clegg in a private letter (“Nick Clegg backs York 20mph speed limit plan”, The Press, September 4).
Coun Alexander claims the letter shows Mr Clegg’s backing for the council’s plans to introduce 20mph speed limits across the city by 2014. It does not.
It was sent in response to Coun Alexander’s letter to Mr Clegg supporting a policy motion to be debated at Liberal Democrat autumn conference this month.
Coun Alexander offered support for the Lib Dem motion and Mr Clegg’s office responded thanking him for his support. The letter was not an endorsement of the council’s scheme nor should it be interpreted as such.
As with all policy motions, the proposal will be debated fully by Liberal Democrat members and may be passed, defeated or amended. Unlike the other parties, the Lib Dems are genuinely democratic and our grassroots supporters decide our party policy.
Residential speed limits are set locally and York Liberal Democrats are entirely right to campaign for what they believe is right for the city.
Tim Gordon, chief executive of the Liberal Democrats, Westminster, London”.
North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following roads between Wednesday12 and Tuesday 18 September 2012.
•A64 east-bound, Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•Strensall Road, Huntington, York
•A1237 Monks Cross, York
•A64 east-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•The Village, Stockton On Forest, York
•4A1036 Malton Road, York
•A1237 Monks Cross, York (more…)
Verges damaged at entrance to Bachelor Hill
The council is overseeing the movement of turf containing rare grassland from parts of York Business Park at Poppleton, which is being built on, to Bachelor Hill. This is being done at the expense of developers. The council’s habitat officer hopes that this will lead to an “even more varied flowers and wildlife in the area”.
Diggers on site
Unfortunately once again activities in the Bachelor Hill area were not communicated well by the Council, with some residents fearing that building work was about to take place. Others thought that this was the next phase of the perimeter fencing (which sadly will not happen as the current Council has slashed the ‘target hardening fund’ which paid for community safety schemes).
Therefore we are responding to requests for information from the public.
Early planting work on Bachelor Hill
Some of the large open grass space to provide an additional small sand pit at the top of the hill. The transplanted grassland will cover the middle section of the field, leaving the worn path in the middle for users cutting through the field between Askham Lane and Tennent Road. The Council will also be keeping a clear path around the field perimeter.
Current flowers on Bachelor Hill include evening primrose, Haresfoot Clover, Great Burnett, Soft Restharrow and many more. These encourage many insects and butterflies including some uncommon long headed and sand flies usually only recorded on coastal sand dunes. Flowers you might spot in future include Bee orchids, Kidney Vetch, Birds Foot Trefoil, Yellowort, Blue Fleabane. The transplanted soil and turf will contain grasses, flowers, their seeds and roots.
Burnt fly tipping on Bachelor Hill
The grassland will eventually grow to around 0.75m in height (29”). The council will continue to cut areas of the field on schedule to maintain some open areas and pathways, but the natural grassland will be cut and the grass removed once a year.
The process will not be completed until January 2013.
Getting involved
There is an opportunity for the local community to help the grassland adapt to its new home, by taking seeds and planting plugs of wild flowers in the new grasslands.
If you would like to get involved, or have questions you would like to ask, please get in touch
For more information at: <a http://tinyurl.com/Bachelor-Hill or Telephone Bob Missin 01904 551662/ email conservation@york.gov.uk
York residents are being urged to sign up for free home insulation before the offer expires in December.
The Wrapping up York scheme, which entitles all residents to free loft and cavity wall insulation, is tackling fuel poverty by keeping houses warmer and helping householders save up to £310* on their fuel bills. People on certain income-related benefits can also claim a £100 ‘cash back’ incentive for insulating. (more…)
