The Labour Councillor who has responsibility for education standards in York has accused local Primary schools of being “complacent”.
Cllr Looker gives this as the reason for several schools “flat lining” on performance.
Until 2011, York was an outstanding area for education standards but some schools subsequently slipped in OFSTED checks.
Even some schools in major City’s like London overtook York in achievements.
If there was complacency then it was in political Leadership.
The Labour Cabinet member with responsibility for Education quit only 6 months after taking office in 2011.
The whole of the Education Departments management team then went off looking for alternative jobs.
They found them. Perhaps significantly, all in non Labour controlled authorities.
Cllr Looker was brought out of retirement to steady the ship.
“Steady” it appears turned out to mean “mediocre”.
Pike Hills Golf Club in York to expand?
Click for larger map
The Golf Club on Tadcaster Road is seeking planning permission to extend the size of their course
In total around 7.7 acres of agricultural land would be used to extend the course if planning permission is granted on 20th March
Planning permission was granted in 2004 for a similar scheme but the permission was not implemented.
The scheme does not propose the erection of any additional buildings and would not increase the number of holes on site.
The extension would allow for the existing course to be reconfigured to allow for longer holes and to prevent holes from crossing each other.
The land is currently cultivated and is classified as being Grade 3a agricultural land (good).
The site lies to the north of the existing golf course and abuts the A1237 for a short distance.
The site is very flat in nature and is bounded by hedging and a number of mature trees which are to be retained.
Library future – briefing tomorrow (Wednesday) in Acomb
IT'S TOMORROW!Are you interested in getting more involved with your library service?Come be part of our new journey! pic.twitter.com/nkhZUaIPWT
— AcombExplore Library (@acombexplore) March 11, 2014
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is No Smoking Day
12th March is no smoking day and residents are being encouraged to think before they smoke in front of their children.
Figures released recently by the British Lung Foundation (BLF) show around185,000 children between the ages of 11-15 in England are exposed to potentially toxic concentrations of second-hand smoke in their family car every day or most days.[1] That’s the equivalent of more than 6,100 classrooms full of children[2]]
Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Health and Wellbeing at City of York Council said: “These figures demonstrate that children being exposed to second-hand smoke when travelling in a car is still a big problem and we would encourage people to use No Smoking Day as an opportunity to think about stopping smoking in front of their children and quitting altogether. Children are more vulnerable to the dangers of second-hand smoke compared to adults due to their faster breathing, smaller lungs and less developed immune systems.”
The North Yorkshire NHS Stop Smoking Service currently has the following weekly sessions in York:
New options for tenants looking to downsize
The Council is encouraging tenants, of properties which are too large for them, to apply for new homes which will shortly become available in Clifton.
In the main, the new homes will have two bedrooms though, so offer little relief for the majority of people on the York Housing waiting list who are looking for one bedroomed properties.
Council and housing association tenants in York who are considering moving to a more manageable and affordable home, are invited to find out more about a new scheme for 23 affordable homes in the city.
Broadacres Housing Association in association with City of York Council, is holding a public information event at Clifton Green Primary School on Wednesday 12 March from 4.30-7pm.
The event will feature a new scheme to be built on the site of the former YWCA hostel in Water Lane. There, Broadacres is building 16, two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent. Priority will be given to people aged 55 and over who would benefit from moving to a smaller property.
Call to save advice sessions in Acomb
Acomb branch office closed by Labour in 2012
Liberal Democrat Councillor Lynn Jeffries is calling on Labour run York Council to guarantee that housing advice sessions in West York will continue despite funding cuts.
When Labour closed Acomb Housing Office in February 2012 they were forced to set-up alternative advice sessions at Foxwood and Chapelfields community centres. The weekly sessions offer residents help on housing, housing benefits and Council Tax support as well as on issues such as anti-social behaviour.
However, after Labour slashed funding to community centres the sessions are now in doubt. Cuts mean caretakers at the centres have been made redundant and therefore there is no longer a second member of staff on hand to ensure that the sessions can continue – a second staff member is needed due to lone worker regulations.
Gardening class tonight at Foxwood Community Centre 7:00pm
Lung cancer initiative
City of York Council is backing the Be Clear on Cancer campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer, which has been considered so successful it is being repeated.
The Public Health England campaign first ran nationally throughout England in May – July 2012. Recent data found that around 700 extra people were diagnosed with lung cancer in these months when compared to the same period in the previous year. Approximately 400 more people were diagnosed at an early stage, and around 300 more patients had surgery, giving them the best chance of prolonged survival.