Bellhouse Way flooding
Bellwood Drive flooding
A combination of accumulated leaves and inadequate routine cleaning of drainage gullies has resulted in quite a lot of localised ponding today.
Flooding occurred on part of Bellhouse Way.
It also became clear that a blocked drain in the housing area off Bellwood Drive – which was reported over a month ago – had still not been cleared.
We have reported both issues.
The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Ian Gillies, will pay respect to soldiers and ex service personnel at the city’s official remembrance service and parade in the Memorial Gardens on Leeman Road on Sunday 9 November.
The Civic Party will be joined by Councillors, Honorary Alderman, chief officers and invited guests in departing from the Guildhall in procession for the annual event this Sunday.
The main parade will depart from the Eye of York at 10.30am, including serving military personnel from services and regiments across the city, along with civilian organisations, including Scouts, Guides and St John Ambulance, and will arrive at the Memorial Gardens in Leeman Road for the annual service and commemoration at 11am.
Tudor Road footpath repairs November 2014 click to enlarge
The City of York Council will start work week commencing 24th November 2014 to reconstruct the footway shown on the plan above.
The short section of footpath affected is that leading to the old entrance to Lowfields school and numbers 32 – 42
This scheme is programmed to take 1 week, weather permitting.
The works consists of fully excavating the footway and reconstructing from the ground up in tarmac new road kerbs are to be installed.
The Contractor carrying out the work will be City of York Council’s Highways department who are responsible for your safety and for providing access while the work is ongoing. (Please be patient with the contractor when facilitating your access). The contractor will be working between 8:00am and 4:00pm Monday to Thursday, and 8:00am to 12:30pm on Fridays.
The York Council has published a table showing the amount of Council Tax not collected over the last 5 years because of approved “exemptions”.
The amount not collected totals £34 million.
By far the largest proportion of this is accounted for by student occupied accommodation. This accounts for around £18 million of the total. Central government claims that this is recognised in the grant distribution formulae which is aimed at equalising resources between different Councils (and is effectively funded from income tax). However the precise make up of individual central government council support grants is largely opaque.
The figure is likely to re-energise the claims of those who feel that student accommodation should attract either Council Tax or Business Rates payments.
Other reasons why properties did not attract Council Tax liability included:
Council Tax exemptions click to access
Footnote
There are three main reform options for Student flat exemptions
1. Charge each student Council Tax with benefits (rebate) available to those on low incomes. This is essentially the position at non-student occupied private sector lettings. OR
2. Levy Business Rates on exempt student occupied properties. Some private landlords might qualify for small business rate relief. OR
3. Make the additional grant, that central government says it pays Councils with a high student population, entirely transparent. Residents should be able to understand and audit the assumptions behind the figures. OR
4. Leave things as they are which means that some residents – who may have no more income than many students – may pay more for local public services subsidising, not students, but private landlords.
There is a good argument for 3 above given that most landlords do pay tax on their incomes and it is a system that should be easy to implement.
Following our story yesterday some correspondents have criticised the Council for failing to keep its “transparency” web site up to date.
The web site is aimed, apparently, at telling taxpayers what expenses are being incurred.
The York Council seems to be struggling to publish information that it is required by law to provide click
A consultation questionnaire is available to complete online from this week. Alternatively, paper copies are available from libraries and Explore Centres across York, or the council’s West Offices building. Feedback can also be submitted to FRM@york.gov.uk .
To read the full strategy, FAQs and an information leaflet visit: www.york.gov.uk/floodriskstrategy
The development of the strategy follows severe floods in 2007 across the UK, including York, which affected over 55,000 homes and businesses causing over £3billion worth of damage across the UK.
During these three-hour events, experts will train learners in 3D design using the latest technology, and each learner will be given the opportunity to print their design to take home with them – this could include 3D jewellery, ornaments, model trains, toys, utensils and much more.
And as the events occur in early December, this could be the perfect opportunity to design and create a unique Christmas gift for that special someone.
Customers have a choice of a morning or afternoon session:
Saturday 6 December, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Saturday 6 December, 13.30pm – 16.30pm.
Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Please call Explore Acomb Library on 01904 552651 to reserve a place. Tickets are priced at £30 per person which includes design training, model creation and refreshments. The events are open to all ages.
City of York Council is investing over £100,000 to protect and preserve York’s historical Walmgate Bar Walls which date back to the medieval period.
Walmgate Bar is the most complete of the four medieval gateways in York and the walls themselves are the best example of medieval city walls still standing in England today, which over a million people walk across every year.
Originally built as defences, the focus is now on conservation and the council is working with English Heritage to carry out a number of improvements to Walmgate Bar this month to help preserve over 1,900 years of history.
