We were sorry to learn that former Foxwood Ward Liberal Councillor Joan Dales died over the Christmas period. Joan was 90 years of age.

A former farmers wife from the Askham Bryan area, Joan lived in The Gallops for many years. She represented the ward on the York City Council between 1979 and 1987. She will be remembered as a particularly active Councillor with a whole hearted commitment to the local community.

Her funeral is taking place at Askham Bryan Church on Monday 14th Jan 2013 at 1pm followed by burial in the Churchyard.

Family flowers only please, donations can be made to The Alzheimer’s Society and the church funds

The Council have failed to issue any update during the last 24 hours on the progress that they are making with the “catch up” bin collections.

This appears to be the position

Most grey bins in sub-urban areas – which were due to be emptied on 1st January – were completed on Saturday.

There was no sign though of the recycling crews, who we were told were working over the weekend. Most households, who are able to, have now taken their recycling back in pending collection on Tuesday.

There are considerable amounts of litter drift across affected estates.

Those that are unable to store their recycling inside, face particular problems. Blocks of flats like Centurion Court depend on regular recycling collections. Any failure can lead to health and safety issues.

Meanwhile the paper banks at sites like the Acomb Car park (near Morrisons) are full to overflowing. There is space in the bottle banks now but some cans are being dumped.

Many of the few remaining litter bins (over 300 were scrapped in the summer) are also stuffed solid.

The profile of Labour Councillors, who represent many of the blighted areas, would make an Archean era fossil look animated. At a time when they should be out and about identifying and dealing with issues, they are nowhere to be seen.

In response to a Freedom of Information request the York Council has revealed that it has made 685 staff redundant over the last decade.

The highest number recorded came last year when 222 left the authority. Most were “voluntary” redundancies.

The total cost to taxpayers was £13.05 million. The costs included additional pension contributions, redundancy payments and “pay in lieu of notice”.

The staff concerned all worked for the York Council or in local schools.

The figures cover the period to the end of March 2012.

There are fears that the current year will see a record number of redundancies declared by the now Labour run authority which has embarked on a policy of privatisation and external contracting to meet its financial obligations.