New initiative tackles housing fraud across North Yorkshire

An initiative to tackle housing fraud across North Yorkshire is being launched by a regional alliance led by Veritau.

In the past two years Veritau, a company owned by City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council which investigates fraud within the public sector, has freed over 40 misused properties allowing them to be legitimately let. In addition Veritau has provided information to prevent 15 false applications for housing to City of York Council.

Veritau and City of York Council have now joined forces with eight other social housing providers within North Yorkshire to create an anti-housing fraud alliance. The partners are Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, Richmondshire District Council, Broadacres Housing Association, Harrogate Borough Council, Yorkshire Housing, Craven District Council, York Housing Association, and Selby District Council.

This partnership initiative focuses on identifying and prosecuting people who lie about their circumstances in order to obtain a property; tenants who unlawfully sublet their property; tenants who stop living at their property and people who provide false information to gain a property through succession rights.
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York Police and crime update 30th August 2013

Trees illegally felled in Fulford

York police are appealing for witnesses after a number of trees were illegally cut down.
Sometime between June and August this year around 30 to 40 willow trees were felled on Fenby Field in Fulford.

More http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/11993

CCTV appeal as woman’s jaw broken in York assault

York police have issued CCTV images to assist their appeal for information after a woman’s jaw was broken when she tried to break up an altercation in the street.
The assault happened at around 4am on Saturday 17 August 2013 on the corner of Piccadilly and Coppergate when a man was shouting verbal abuse at two women.
The victim of the assault, a 21-year-old York woman intervened and was struck in the face by the suspect before falling to the ground.

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Traffic congestion update – Essential resurfacing works on Askham Fields Lane roundabout tonight and tomorrow

click on image for latest position

Traffic congestion is increasing on the inner ring road as the Friday evening peak approaches. Click map for up to date information

The City of York Council will carry out essential resurfacing works on the roundabout on Askham Fields Lane from Friday (30 August).

The works are programmed to take two nights in total to complete, working Friday and Saturday nights between the hours of 10pm and 5am.

To carry out the works safely, a road closure will be in place and there will be a signed diversion route in operation for local and through traffic.

Pedestrian access will be available at all times. Cyclists will have to dismount and use the footways when travelling through the affected areas.

Bus services will be diverted whilst the works are ongoing. Please contact Bus Info on 01904 551400 for the revised arrangements.

As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience but everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum. However, motorists should expect some delays and plan their journey accordingly.

Healthy lifestyle campaign kicks off

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This September Change4Life is asking families in Yorkto make the most of the fresh start of the new school year by signing up to a healthy change when the kids go back to the classroom. Families across York are being encouraged to take on one change for the better, for six weeks – to help them lead healthier lifestyles for longer.

By the end of summer we can all tend to slack off a bit and it’s easy to let good intentions slide. But the new school year is the perfect time for a new beginning and for the whole family to get fit and healthy for the best year yet!

To help families in the York area do this, Change4Life is encouraging them to sign up to the FREE Smart Restart campaign and pick one healthy change for them to try when they go back to school.

Once signed up, families will receive support from Change4Life via email and text messages for six weeks from the start of term, as well as details of special offers, competitions and virtual rewards for the kids.

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Lifestyle youngsters plan family fun day in Holgate

A family fun day organised by a group of youngsters taking part in the Lifestyle competition will take place this weekend.

Community Spirit a team from the Community Spirit Boxing Club in Acomb have organised the day as part of their entry into this year’s competition.

The group are hoping to raise funds for the boxing club which is based at York Railway Institute Community Sports Club on New Lane.
There will be plenty going on at the fun day, which will be held between 10am and 4pm, on Saturday 31 August 2013, including archery, face painting, a bouncy castle, sumo suits, a raffle and a cake stall.
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