More journeys on #ParkandRide 9 to/from #MonksCross #York from Sunday 13 April @VangardeYork http://t.co/8SslN7zFIT
— First York (@FirstBusYork) April 9, 2014
Save the green belt update
Local residents backing the “save the green belt” campaign
The Council has now published details of some of the changes to land allocations that it is proposing to make, following representations by land owners.
The agenda for the Local Plan Working Group can be viewed by clicking here.
We will provide a background briefing and analysis on this web site tomorrow.
Merrett refuses to resign – gets £4,500 (20%) pay rise?
Cllr Dave Merrett, held by many York residents to be responsible for the Lendal Bridge and Coppergate debacle, has refused to resign.
Rather than sacking him, Council leader James Alexander has promoted him and he will now also sit on committees that will decide the transport plans for the whole of the York and West Yorkshire area.
He will serve, technically as an “observer”, on the “West Yorkshire Joint Authority Transport Committee” but also as a full member of the “West Yorkshire & York Investment Committee”.
The latter will determine how much, where and on what money is invested in transport and economic regeneration schemes across York and West Yorkshire
The new authority agreed at its annual meeting last week that members of its committees will be able to claim £4500 a year in allowances.
This is in addition to the sums claimed from local Councils like York.
A full list of appointments can be found here
The York Council has only appointed Labour Councillors to the West Yorkshire Joint Authority.
None of the appointments has been through any kind of democratic process at the Guildhall/West Offices.
Lendal Bridge – no retrospective fines
The Council have now confirmed that no fines will be issued to drivers who disobeyed the Lendal Bridge access restrictions in the period since 1st April 2014.
“Following the statement issued by Cllr Alexander on 8 April 2014, we can confirm that we will not be issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) to drivers of vehicles who have travelled over Lendal Bridge as of 1 April”.
They, however, also say that they will continue to enforce the Coppergate restrictions.
This may mean an expensive court battle is still in prospect.
Acomb market plans take step forward
Acomb Alive, the voluntary committee which is driving the regeneration of the Front Street area, have published a new newsletter.
Page 1 click to enlarge
Page 2 click to enlarge
In it they reveal plans which could lead to a street market being established in part of the (pedestrianised) section of Front Street.
This was the idea put forward a year ago by the Liberal Democrats, residents and traders but which received only half hearted support from the Council.
The present Council’s continuing antipathy towards Acomb is evident from the latest plans which show only a handful of stall spaces being made available.
Front Street market plan click to enlarge
What the area needs is a sustained boost to “footfall” figures if it is to benefit for the current improvement in the economy.
NB. An Easter Fair will take place on Saturday 19th April between 9:00am and 4:00pm at the Working Mens Club.
The fair will include an Easter bonnet competition.