York housing estates – more evidence of neglect

Not surprisingly many tenants are bemused as rents continue to rise while maintenance standards on estates fall.

Fly tipping on Green Lane Acomb garage forecourt

Fly tipping on Green Lane (Acomb) garage forecourt today

Council tenants have faced a 28% increase in rent levels over the last 5 years.

The York Council is expected to have a £15 million surplus balance on its housing account at the end of this year.

Yet little has been invested in improvements and communal areas are too often targets for graffiti and dumping.

Weeks elapse before clean ups are arranged

York Council Housing rents and balances. Click to enlarge

York Council Housing rents and balances. Click to enlarge

Strangely the York Council housing  department is the only part of the local authority which has seen no cuts at all in funding during the last 4 years yet service standards are declining.

There is little evidence that the Labour Councillors who are responsible for Council housing ever routinely visit estates to ensure that service standards are acceptable.

Time for a change of approach we think!

Latest Planning applications for the Westfield Ward – Front Street and Gale Lane

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Westfield

Location:       Kashmir 9 Acomb Court Front Street York YO24 3BJ

Proposal:       Installation of external extraction flue to rear (retrospective)

Ref No: 15/00056/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Jalal Ahmed  Consultation Expiry Date        23 April 2015 Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level DEL

——

Location:       103 Gale Lane York YO24 3AF

Proposal:       Two storey side extension

Ref No: 15/00601/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Kit Gilham   Contact Mr Philip Bixby Consultation Expiry Date        23 April 2015 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

———

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Bins petition – 500 sign in one week as residents face 57% increase in tipping charges

Council let slip £37 a year “tax” on Green Bins to start mid summer

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Over 500 residents have signed our petition opposing Labour plans to reduce bin emptying frequencies and impose an annual charge of £35 or £37 for emptying green, garden waste, bins.

The on line version of the edition is now suspended until after the election but copies of the petition form can be downloaded by clicking here

At a recent Council meeting in response to a question the responsible Cabinet member said,

“Officers from waste services, IT and customer services are working to determine a time frame in which chargeable Green waste collections could be implemented should the Council choose to proceed. It is anticipated that sufficient evidence will be available in the summer of 2015 for the Council to consider this matter”

 Labour Councillors fear that many residents will avoid the new charge by putting green waste into grey – residual waste – bins.

Hence the – still secret – move to reduce bin emptying frequencies to once evry 3 or 4 weeks.

Like the proposals to close Lendal Bridge 4 years ago, it is unlikely that Labour will publicise their plans for the future of waste collection in the city until after then Local Elections on May 7th.

Landfill Tax charges up by 57% in 5 years as York Council recycling effort fades

Meanwhile the Council has admitted that recycling rates have been falling in the City. Landfill Tax charges – paid by residents through their Council Tax bills – have increased.

Landfill Tax payments click to enalrge

Landfill Tax payments click to enalrge

Landfill Tax increased by £8 per tonne annually until 2014/15 and by inflation thereafter having reached £80 per tonne.

The Council was warned in 2012 when they closed the Beckfield Lane recycling centre that the decision could have dire consequences for Council taxpayers and the environment.

So it has proved.