City of York Council will be extending its programme of drop-in advice sessions on ‘Housing Options for Older People’ following its successful introduction at the end of last year.

The sessions aim to offer advice for older people on making decisions about their future housing needs, and cover topics such as specialist accommodation, moving house, support in your home and home improvements.

The scheme began in November 2012 following the launch of the ‘Positive Ageing: Housing Guide for Older People’ during City of York Council’s first ever Housing Week. This guide was drafted in consultation with Age UK, York Housing Association, Yorkshire Housing, Older Citizens’ York and York Older Persons’ Assembly.

Drop-in sessions will be taking place at:
• Friday 18 January 10.00 – 12.00, Terrace café at Auden House,
Cemetery Road
• Wednesday 23 January 13.00 – 15.00, OCAY, 52 Townend Street
• Tuesday 12 February 10.00 – 12.30, OCAY, 52 Townend Street

No appointments are necessary.

The Bayers Tapestry created by residents as part of York 800 celebrations and the Big City Read 2012 will be on show to the public at York Art Gallery on 2 February 2012.

The Tapestry will be on show on Saturday 2 February from 10am-5pm and other opportunities to exhibit it are being considered.

This 60 metre-long frieze was painted by residents during a city-wide York 800 community arts project as part of last summer’s Big City Read celebrations and the York Stories 2012 project, which aims to encourage people to create and share stories that are personal and unique to the city.

The project, coordinated by artist Karen Winship, involved open workshops at York Explore, City of York Adult Education classes and independent artist groups creating a total 120 panels measuring over 60 metres.

The showing comes as part of a special one-day event to allow residents to have a last look round the Gallery, before it is closed for refurbishment.

York police are appealing for help to identify two suspected shoplifters following a theft of showers in the city.

They were caught on CCTV in the B&Q store on Osbaldwick Link Road, at 6.45pm on Thursday 3 January 2013. It is believed that they stole 18 Mira shower units valued at around £3,500.

Following on from the revelations about the increase in the number of gifts and the amount of hospitality being accepted by some York Councillors, figures have emerged about the costs of the travel that they are undertaking.

There has been a long tradition of openness at the York Council about expenses. Lists are published each month on their web site with a summary produced at the end of each year.

Last years produced no surprises with the amounts claimed being modest. The trend continues with the monthly reports which can also be found on the Councils web site

The Councils says on the web site, “As part of our commitment to be open and transparent we will publish Councillors’ expenses and allowances on a monthly basis”.

Strange therefore that it has taken dogged work by one back bench Councillor to reveal the true cost of expenses being claimed by some of the Councils “Cabinet”.

A total of over £6000 has been paid to cover travel costs. The payments do not appear on the Councils web site, but were released following questions raised at the Council meeting held in December. Most of the 200 journeys in themselves are unexceptional although some will question why a Councillor earning around £30,000 a year needed to have a £3 train fare paid for by taxpayers.

£40 on taxi fares to Huby seems a lot as does a similar amount for a taxi to Sand Hutton.

Few will however doubt the value of the £251 spent on a one way train ticket from London to Leeds which allowed the Council Leader to meet Nick Clegg.

In total Cllr Alexander has accumulated £2492 in travel costs. Cllr Laing cost £1516, Cllr Crisp £669, Cllr Gunnell £482, Cllr Merrett £351 and Cllr Leven £165.

In future, the Council should for completeness, make sure that these costs are included in the monthly expenses returns that it publishes on its web site.

A full list of costs is published below.

(more…)