The coalition government has implemented its ban on excessive surcharges for credit and debit card payments. The ban comes following a Which? campaign for an end to ‘rip off’ surcharges.

If consumers find examples of excessive surcharges, Which? asks that they report the companies in question via its quick and simple tool.

Charges for paying by debit card should not be anymore than around 20 pence – and should ideally be free.

Credit card charges should be no more than around 2%.

Any companies found breaking the rules will be reported to Trading Standards.

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Labour Councillors will reveal the changes that they intend to make to local speed limits at a public meeting which will take place at Dringhouses Primary School on Thursday, May 2.

The meeting starts at 7:30pm

The Police revealed recently that they would expect any 20 mph limit to be “self enforcing”.

Planners are being asked on Thursday to approve the use of part of little Stonegate for an outdoor café.

It follows a decision to convert 3 Little Stonegate into a drinking establishment/restaurant.

There are cafes/bars to each side of the application site which have permission for pavement cafes – Bobo Lobo and Kennedys.

For details of the proposal click here

Hopefully the applicants know something more about our likely summer weather than then rest of the population.

The Council Leader has now confirmed in writing that the Toy Bus is continuing its programme of visits around the City!

The answer to a question, tabled at the last Council meeting, has now been published.

To the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People from Cllr Aspden:
“Labour’s Budget included plans to scrap the Toy Library Bus in 2014/15. In a recent letter to the Council concerned parents said that “To lose this wonderful resource would be to the detriment of young learners’ creative development in the York area.” Will the Cabinet Member listen to these concerns and rethink this cut?”

Cllr Alexander
“We are consulting with users of the Toy Library after Easter about ways of continuing to provide the service in the light of the Bus itself no longer being fit to continue in service for much longer. It is possible that we could provide the service through Children’s Centres – which now have a much wider reach than when the Toy Bus was originally commissioned. We are open to other ideas and suggestions and will listen to views, but the costs of replacing the actual bus are prohibitive. While consultations take place the Toy Bus will continue while we consider other options.”

The answer will come as a surprise to several mothers who queued expectantly at the usual Toy Bus destination stop in Westfield earlier in the month.

It was nowhere to be seen.

The Council has now belatedly updated its web site. Click here to see the latest Toy Bus timetable which is reinstated from 15thApril (for 2 weeks only)

No visits to the Westfield, Acomb or Dringhouses wards are included in the programme.