York Council cuts: West Bank park next to be jettisoned?

West Bank parkThe Council is to consider handing over control and management of the West Bank Park to a residents group.

A largely impenetrable report is to be considered on 24th February which will recommend that the Council seeks grant funding from an organisation known as NESTA*.

This  will  “support changes to parks management and maintenance systems – including potential changes to maintenance regimes, restructuring contracts and maximising the productivity of particular landscapes”.

The NESTA project gives the example of holding concerts in the parks as a way of increasing income.

The report later talks of

exploring what community use and income generating possibilities 14 New Lane offers, either in its current form, or if rebuilt and extended, and using this  to fund the future care and development of the whole site”.

This is pretty much now standard  “Labour speak” for the withdrawal of Council funding, with residents left to pick up the burden.

A similar project led to the semi privatisation of the Libraries Service.

The newly independent “social enterprise” York Library service now finds that its Council funding is being cut by £200,000 over the next 2 years raising fears that several smaller facilities could close.

Parks – including West Bank – are also set for cuts in this years budget with £122,000 being lopped off.

Parks will be left unlocked with minimal maintenance “unless local groups step in to help”.

York has few formal parks and West Bank is the only one in the Acomb area.

It seems that a laudable initiative from some local residents – who wanted to set up a heritage centre at 14 New Lane to explain the history of the site – is now being used as a smokescreen to cover major changes to the use of the park.

There has ben no consultation with most residents who live in the area and who use the parks facilities.

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*NESTA is short for the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts. It has apparently obtained access to National Lottery funding.  It is viewed with suspicion by some residents who see it as a cover for the advance of the techno bureaucrat movement. Senior Council managers are understood to be involved with the organisation.

Latest Planning applications Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield and Acomb Wards.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Acomb

Location:       2 Almsford Road York YO26 5HZ

Proposal:       Two storey side extension and porch to front

Ref No: 14/00269/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Paul Nicholas        Contact:        Mr Kevin Bristowe       Consultation Expiry Date:       10 March 2014Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       7 Church Gate York YO26 5BW

Proposal:       Single storey rear extension

Ref No: 14/00324/FUL

Applicant:      Mrs Edwards     Contact:        Howard Berry    Consultation Expiry Date:       10 March 2014Case Officer:   Will Steel      Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Westfield

Location:       88 Wetherby Road Acomb York YO26 5BY

Proposal:       Single storey side and rear extension

Ref No: 14/00232/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Tim Ireland  Consultation Expiry Date        10 March 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       Leeds And Holbeck Building Society 49 York Road Acomb York YO24 4LN

Proposal:       Display of 1no internally illuminated fascia sign and 1no internally illuminated projecting sign

Ref No: 14/00243/ADV

Applicant:      Leeds Buillding Society Contact Joanne Goodaire Consultation Expiry Date        10 March 2014 Case Officer:   Victoria Bell   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.