Controversial plans to outsource libraries approved

library cartoon-24

York’s libraries will be taken out of Council control after a controversial Labour decision was rubber-stamped last night.

Last month the Labour Cabinet approved plans for a ‘community benefit society’ to operate York’s libraries and archives from next April, despite the concerns raised by staff and opposition councillors. The changes come at the same time as a £450,000 budget cut to the service, a reduction in library staff, and falling visitor numbers.

Liberal Democrat Councillors Nigel Ayre, Ann Reid and Lynn Jeffries called-in the decision for further review, but Labour used their majority on the cross-party Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee to force through the change by 5 votes to 4 last night. At the meeting Cllr Ayre said there were still significant unanswered questions in the financial plans and the business case had not been made public.

Speaking at the meeting Cllr Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Heworth Without, commented:
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York bus service changes – more details

Number 1 bus at station

From Sunday 29th September, First’s bus network in York will see changes that are based on feedback from customers who took part in a major consultation exercise this summer.

A mini ‘transport hub’ in Acomb, better services to York University and the return of a half hourly service in Haxby are the headlines and many other bus customers in York will see positive changes as a result of their feedback.

The future of the number 24 – a York Council subsidised services – remains unclear.

The changes are available for customers online – click here

They include a change requested by ourselves a couple of months ago :

• Acomb – Services 4 and 5 will run into Acomb forming a mini transport hub and re-establishing links to Acomb Front Street

• The number 4 and 5 are being decoupled and will once again operate as independent services

• The number 4 will now always run to Acomb at a Mon-Fri daytime frequency of 7/8 minutes

• It will no longer serve the stretch of Gale Lane between Foxwood Lane and Cornlands Road (which was only introduced last October)

• The 4 will now run to Acomb Front Street and back via the following loop: Cornlands Road >Gale Lane>Front Street> Green Lane > Tudor Road > Cornlands Road

• The 5 will no longer go to Foxwood terminating in Acomb from the north

• Haxby – Services 13 and 13A – First has introduced a new Service 13A to create additional journeys between Haxby and York with four arrivals in the centre by 9am.

• University of York (Heslington) – Services 4 and 6 will now run to the University and will serve the Heslington East campus, creating direct link from the University to Tang Hall and the hospital.

Extra morning buses to York Railway Station (Station Avenue) – Service 2 will run three extra early morning buses from Clifton Moor, via Rawcliffe Bar, to York Railway Station.

Full list of service changes announced by First:

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Speeders and defective vehicles targeted in York road safety operation

North Yorkshire Police’s safety camera van caught over 40 speeding motorists during an operation in York.

wheelchair speed

Officers clocked 41 drivers exceeding the speed limit during a multi-agency initiative on the A1237 near Huntington on Monday 12 August 2013.

One offender was travelling at 80mph in a 60mph speed limit area.

York police joined forces with the fire and rescue service and VOSA along with the 95Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership to target drivers committing road traffic offences and using un-roadworthy vehicles.

The initiative was part of the partnership’s commitment to reducing casualties on the county’s roads.

Officers issued a total of 12 fixed penalty notices for offences including no insurance, no MOT, driving without wearing a seatbelt and no tax.

Five un-roadworthy vehicles were issued prohibition notices by VOSA , including two immediate notices for faults so serious that the examiners could not allow the vehicles to continue with their journeys.

The other prohibitions require drivers to fix the faults on their vehicles and have them re-tested within seven days.

One vehicle was seized due to the driver having no insurance.

The latest list of streets where vehicle speeds are being checked can be found by clicking here http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/11869
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20 mph speed limit in west York – review decision

Speed survey resultsLabour run York Council is forcing through plans for the next stage of its controversial citywide 20mph roll-out despite public and political opposition.

A recent council consultation in west York saw only 7 out of 13,000 residents support the proposals for blanket 20mph limits in areas including Acomb, Holgate, Foxwood, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe. Despite this lack of public support, Labour’s Transport Chief approved the latest stage of the £600,000 roll-out last month and tonight Labour used their majority on the cross-party Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee to defeat a Liberal Democrat attempt to stop the policy. Labour won tonight’s vote by 5 to 4 with all opposition councillors voting against the 20mph scheme.

Lib Dem Councillors Ann Reid, Lynn Jeffries and Nigel Ayre had called-in the policy for review and urged Labour to abandon the scheme or delay it until the new limits introduced earlier in the year in South Bank could be properly assessed. Lib Dems argue that resources should be focused on roads with high accident rates after data provided by City of York Council showed that of the 383 accidents in west York over the last 5 years only 48 (13%) occurred on roads where it is now proposed to reduce the speed limit.

Speaking at tonight’s meeting Cllr Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Transport and Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Councillor, commented:
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