Further fall in unemployment in York

The number of people claiming Jobs Seekers Allowance (JSA) in York has again fallen, representing the lowest August figure since 2008.

City of York Council has today welcomed news that the number of people claiming Jobs Seekers Allowance (JSA) in York has again fallen, representing the lowest August figure since 2008.

The Office for National Statistics have released figures today stating that there are 2451 claimants in York, a decrease of 39 from last month and of 802 from August 2012.

The claimant count represents 1.8% of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 4.3%. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 3%.

A jobs fare was taking place at Acomb Explore Library today

Tadcaster Road speed limit sign – Council explanation

The York Council has claimed that the new vehicle activated speed sign on Tadcaster Road will flash on whenever a vehicle approaches it WHATEVER SPEED IT IS DOING.

The matrix sign has apparently been installed by the Fire and Rescue Service and, although identical in appearance to the type of sign fitted by the Council on streets like Moor Lane, it is triggered by any approaching vehicle.

From observations it would seem also to be sensitive to vehicles travelling away from the sign on the other side of the road.

While the intention is to remind drivers of the speed limit on the road (30 mph in the case of Tadcaster Road), it does seem likely to cause confusion in some driver’s minds.

Many will expect such signs to be triggered only by those travelling in excess of the speed limit (as happens on Moor Lane).

The sign is likely to be in place for about 2 weeks.

UPDATED Unemptied bins – Council response

UPDATE 1400 hours – Bins ARE now being emptied in Askham Lane, Chapelfields and Woodthorpe (which was also missed yesterday)

The Council web site now includes the following comment –

Waste Collection Services Update

A comprehensive review of waste collection rounds has been carried out and some service changes were implemented on 9th September 2013.

Our collection crews are working hard to ensure your waste is collected on the scheduled collection date. Please help us by ensuring your bin is presented before 7.00am on the date of collection.

Whilst the new collection rounds are settling down there will be instances when some properties are missed. We are sorry that on Wednesday 11th September some properties in the following areas did not have their collection on the scheduled day:

• Rubbish collection (black bin) – Acomb & Boroughbridge Road

• Garden waste (green bin) – Holgate & Acomb

We will return to these properties to make collections by the end of the next working day.

The Council have admitted that there are “bedding in” problems with the new refuse bins emptying arrangements.

Askham Lane – late Tuesday

That rather understates the issues faced by 100’s of residents who now don’t know when their bins will be emptied.

The Council web site was down yesterday and delays of around 5 minutes have been reported by residents trying to ring the Council help line.