Castlegate sale – private emails published

Fairfax House (left) and Youth Advice Centre (right)

The York Council has been forced to publish internal emails on its proposed sale of the youth centre in Castlegate to the Civic Trust.

The Emails reveal that secret negotiations started as early as 2012, when an alternative building for the youth facilities centre was identified in Monkgate (later the Council said the centre should move to West Offices).

The Email trail also reveals that the Council had not agreed a market value for the Castlegate premises, nor had the Trust made a formal offer.

Given the under-estimate of the value of the Oliver House building, that alone will raise some questions about the plan.

The Email exchanges can be downloaded by clicking here

Only 107 new affordable homes completed in York last year

The York Council continues to perform poorly in the provision of affordable homes in York.

It has steadfastly refused to buy on the open market despite having a £15 million balance on its housing account.

In total, 345 additional homes were provided in the City during 2013/14. During the first 6 months of 2014/15, 235 homes were provided.

click to enlarge

York Council homes sold under “right to buy”? (New Council homes completed)

2010/11 = 10 (0)
2011/12 = 6 (0)
2012/13 = 24 (19)
2013/14 = 53 (0)
2014/15 (up to 1/12/14) = 39 (18)

Number on housing waiting list.

2010/11 = 3294
2011/12 = 3972
2012/13 = 4692
2013/14 = 2306 (eligibility change)
As at 20/01/15 = 1462

Over 2000 planning applications for housing have been approved during the last 18 months, with the vast majority for “brownfield” (previously developed) land

Liberal Democrat housing policy can be read here

York Council official in Cannes again

The York Council has admitted in a response to a Freedom of Information request that it has an official attending the annual estate agents jamboree in Cannes.

Cannes. Good for fireworks

The Authority has been criticised in the past for spending £25,000 at the MIPIM (Le marche international des professionnels de l’immobilier) property festival.

The Council has so far failed to demonstrate that any new investment has been generated by its attendance at the conference.