Labour save York Cabinet flops

……as Labour vote down Acomb regeneration proposal

Labour managed to get enough of their members into the Council chamber tonight to avoid the ignominy of having two Council members sacked from their Cabinet positions.

Cllrs Alexander and Merrett had been widely blamed for the failure of the Lendal Bridge trial with the latter having promised to resign if the Councils action had been proven to be unlawful.

Opposition members pointed out that the withdrawal of the Councils appeal against the traffic adjudicators judgement was an admission of guilt.

Labour were however forced to admit that no decision on refunding fines had actually been taken and their spokesman would only say that a meeting to discuss the proposals would take place “shortly”.

Both the responsible Council member (Levene) in a TV interview, and an official Council Press release issued on Tuesday, had claimed that the “Council had decided to refund the Lendal Bridge fines”.

Both those claims have now been proved to be untrue.

Cllr Levene also said that he didn’t know how much it would cost to refund the Lendal Bridge fines.

Labour went on to vote down proposals to introduce an ambitious regeneration programme for the Acomb Front Street area.

Eight garages available to rent in Foxwood from £6-99 per week.

 

8 garages have become available for rent in the Foxwood area.

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

They are available for £6-99 a week for tenants or £8-39 for other residents.

There are also vacant garages available in Ascot Way, Windsor Garth, Ridgeway, Thoresby Road and Bramham Road  as well as on many other estates across the whole City.

Rents for garages near the City centre are higher.

To express an interest in renting a garage tel 01904 552096

 

LibDems to change spare room subsidy/bedroom tax rules

In line with representations made by many in York, the government is being asked to change the rules on housing benefit.Empty bedroom

The proposed change would mean that tenants in existing social housing – who are under-occupying – would only lose entitlement to benefit if they had been offered smaller accommodation and turned it down.

In many areas a lack of 1 bedroomed properties is preventing people for downsizing (around 1000 single people are registered on the housing waiting/transfer list in York)

The party’s statement reads

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“Fairness” conference cost over £18,000

York taxpayers to cough up £8235

york-fairness-conference-logo

A Freedom of Information request has revealed that the “Fairness Conference”, held earlier in the summer, cost £18,235 of which £10,000 was paid by Joseph Rowntrees Foundation.

The figures do not include “help in kind” contributions with the University providing free accommodation and an evening “reception”.

Speakers were not paid a fee but claimed £820 for air tickets, £303 for taxis, £361 for train tickets and £736 for accommodation.

The conference was criticised for unnecessary costs and lack of political balance in the line up of speakers (who were overwhelmingly Labour spokespeople).

Some suggested that the cost of the event might more usefully have been spent on the direct relief of poverty.

Full details of the expenses incurred can be found by clicking here

500 signature petition says “improve our neighbourhood”

 

Acomb residents ask for Council action

Petition June 2014

Over 500 residents living in the Chapelfields, Front Street, Cornlands Road, Gale Lane and Lowfields areas have signed a petition asking for improvements in their local neighbourhood.

The petition will be handed in to the York Council at its meeting later today by Cllr Lynn Jeffries.

The residents are concerned about the quality of public service provided in their neighbourhoods by the Council and particularly highlight issues with roads, footpaths, damaged fences, inadequate street cleansing, increasing instances of anti-social behaviour, inadequate car parking, weed growth in gulleys and on footpaths.

 In some cases resident have added in their own concerns with one recurrent comment being poor access arrangements for people restricted by their use of wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

In this respect poor footpaths/lack of dropped kerbs in the Front Street/Lowfields area has been mentioned by several residents.

The petition will be considered later in the year by the responsible Council committee,

Commonwealth Open Days

Residents inspired by the Commonwealth Games are being encouraged to become more active by taking part in York’s first programme of Commonwealth Open Days.

Sports village swimming pool

Sports village swimming pool

Throughout July and August, 24 local sports clubs, gyms and organisations will be opening their doors to children, young people and adults and inviting them to find out more.

The exciting programme of events and activities include family fun days, free taster sessions, classes and introductory joining offers.

The open days will feature a wide range of sporting activities on offer from tennis, athletics, bowls, cricket, golf, martial arts, rugby, squash and volleyball to gym workouts, playdays and beginner running groups and cater for all ages and abilities.

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Free childcare places for two-year-olds reminder

childcareParents of toddlers in York are being reminded to check out whether they’re eligible for free childcare.

From 1 September over 600 two-year-olds in York – double last year’s figure – are eligible for up to 15 hours of free childcare a week at a playgroup, day nursery or with a childminder as part of a national initiative.

 

Parents, who earn no more than £16,190 a year and receive Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit or Income Support, could be eligible for a free childcare place. Two-year-olds, who are looked after by the council or have a Child Protection Plan, automatically qualify for a place.

From 1st September children with special educational needs, those who have been adopted or with a residency/special guardianship order will also qualify for a place.

The free places are available to children who are two years of age and whose parents fulfil the criteria. The places can be taken up the term after the child’s second birthday.

Parents can apply on line at www.yor-ok.org.uk/childcare or to find out more call the Family Information Service on 01904 554444 or text ‘’free place’ to 07624 802244.

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