Libraries/ 20 mph speed limit hit last chance saloon on 12th August

Residents have a final chance to stop the introduction of a wide area 20 mph speed limit in West York on 12th August.

The Labour plan has been “called in” by the Liberal Democrats and will be discussed by an all party committee which will meet at 5:00pm in the Thornton Room – Ground Floor, West Offices (Room G039)

Residents can register to speak at the meeting. To do so they should email or telephone Jill Pickering Telephone: 01904 552061, E-mail: jill.pickering@york.gov.uk. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Friday 9 August 2013

Details of the reasons given for the “call in” can be read by clicking here

A proposal which would see local Libraries taken out of Council control has also been called in. Details can be found by clicking here

The same registration requirements apply to this item

Crime update

York thieves take camping gear
Detectives are investigating after a camping stove was stolen from a garden shed in York.

Appeal for information as York police investigate tower theft
Detectives in York are appealing for information after a 30ft scaffolding tower was stolen from a house undergoing repairs.

Police investigate suspected charity bin theft
York police are appealing for the owners of clothing believed to have been donated to charity to come forward.

Jail for York burglar

A prolific York burglar has been sentenced to four years in prison.

(more…)

York Ward Boundaries – Monday deadline

Residents have until Monday (5th August) to make representations on the Boundary Commissions draft proposals for changes to the ward boundaries in York. Click this link http://tinyurl.com/York-Wards-Aug-2013

The Commission have come up with some highly controversial proposals to merge some wards making them bigger (and Councillors less accountable).

Liberal Democrats continue to support a network of single member wards with a quarter of the Council retiring each year.

York Local Plan – list of agencies and owners who want to develop Green Belt land

The Council has – somewhat belatedly – published a list of the agents and owners who put forward proposals to develop (in the main) greenfield sites in and around York.

The list can be accessed by clicking here

York Council spends £36,270 on “information screens” at West Offices

The York Council has spent over £36,000 on providing “information screens” around its new West Office HQ.

Defending the decision the Council said,

“The information screens are being installed across the building to meet different needs.

Within the customer services areas they will allow us to present information in more accessible formats such as video supported with sign language.

The installation of screens in the staff areas is part of a wider internal communications initiative to ensure that all staff receive up to date information on key service changes and priorities.
The screens also show service performance information. This is routine provision in most Councils”.

The Council had been criticised for not ensuring that the work was undertaken by a York company.

Updated bus map for York

The latest bus map can be viewed by clicking here

First are currently reviewing their routes in the light of the results of recent public consultation.

Changes are expected in the autumn.

Adult cycle training

Sat 3 Aug, 10am to 1pm, Rowntree Park

If you or someone you know has never learned to ride a bike or not been on a bike for a number of years then this training would be ideal. The sessions will be broken down into hourly slots, led by City of York Council cycle trainers who will provide friendly help and advice to get you in the saddle, no matter what your previous experience – anyone can learn!

Bikes can be provided

Cost: Free

Booking is essential – if you wish to attend or for further information please contact Sarah Prescott on 01904 553377 sarah.prescott@york.gov.uk

York housing benefit claims now costing £45 million a year – up 80% in 9 years.

Click to enlarge

Figures published by the Council say that the annual cost of paying housing benefit claims has increased from £25.2 in 2004 to £45.3 million in 2012.

Housing benefit is money paid by the Council to help tenants to pay their rent. For council tenants, housing benefit is paid direct into their rent account. Housing benefit for private and housing association tenants is paid to the tenant or landlord.

The figures also show that some tenants are claiming nearly £400 a week in benefit payments. Most are claiming considerably less.

A table showing the spread of claimants indicates a fairly wide distribution across the City although the largest number can be found in the YO24 post code area.

In total 11,059 families were claiming Housing Benefit in 2012.

12,998 were also claiming Council Tax benefit. This benefit reduced the amount that residents were liable to pay to the local Council to fund public services. It was replaced by the Council Tax Reduction scheme from 1st April this year.