Polling day update including postal vote returns

The York Council has issued the following statement

Please find an elections update from Kersten England, Returning Officer for City of York.

“We can report a healthy turnout of voters across the city, predicted to be at least as high as at the last General Election.

“Like other local authorities, we are experiencing a high numbers of queries arising from the introduction of the individual electoral registration system, and our customer centre reception and telephone service will stay open until 7pm tonight to answer them.

“I can confirm that as at 4pm today, we’ve received and are processing 84% of the city’s postal votes: a higher return than in any previous election.

“There is still time to vote: postal votes can be handed in to any polling station within your constituency. If you do not have a polling card, as long as you are registered, you’ll be able to vote. Details of polling stations are at www.york.gov.uk.”

More Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras on York streets.

Criminals warned as £1m hi-tech crime-fighting project steps up

North Yorkshire Police’s £1m hi-tech investment programme to tackle travelling criminals is gaining momentum with the opening of an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Hub.

The ANPR Hub is based in the Force Control Room with dedicated staff who will monitor and assess real time information relating to vehicles identified as being connected to criminality and build up intelligence about their movements.

This latest move is part of an ongoing £1m investment in ANPR which also includes new, rapidly deployable cameras, more mobile cameras, fixed site cameras and in-car cameras as well as the fitting of ANPR cameras to some of the force’s mobile safety cameras and the introduction of a second Road Crime Team.

North Yorkshire Police already uses ANPR which has proved to be a highly effective tool, particularly in support of Operation Hawk, the force’s campaign to protect our communities from travelling and cross-border offenders.
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York marks VE day 70th anniversary with beacon lighting tomorrow

York will join more than 200 Beacon locations around the country in lighting a special beacon to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on the evening of Friday 8 May.

City of York Council is inviting residents to a moment of celebration when a beacon will be lit at 9.32pm at Triangular Gardens, Leeman Road (between Memorial Gardens and the Royal York). Beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, following the lighting of the Principal Beacon outside Windsor Castle by Her Majesty The Queen.

In addition the council is encouraging residents and businesses across the city to hold a two minute silence at 3pm, marking the moment Winston Churchill broadcast his historic speech formally announcing the end of the war.

VE Day marks the official end of hostilities in Europe for the Second World War on 8 May 1945, following the formal, unconditional surrender of German Forces. It was an occasion of national celebration, yet also one of sombre reflection for those who would not return.

This anniversary will celebrate the achievements of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the allies in their victory overseas and on the Home Front, but will also pay tribute to the 580,406 UK and Commonwealth Forces and 67,073 UK civilians who lost their lives during six years of conflict.

The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Ian Gillies said: “This promises to be a special event and it is important that we as a city mark this important day in the country’s history. As well as marking this milestone the event will also look to remember those who sacrificed so much to protect our freedom.”

Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, Pageantmaster of the VE Day 70th Anniversary Beacons said: “VE Day on the 8 May represents a further important milestone in the history of our country. It was on this day, 70 years ago, that peace brought an end to nearly six years of war across Europe. We must not let this day pass without reflecting on the sacrifice, courage and determination of the people who saw us through this dark period.”

Further information about VE Day events taking place can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/ve-day-70th-anniversary.

For further information about the lighting of the Beacon in York call Liz Topi on 07443 912935.

Mystery surrounds future of York “Hobstones” development as builder Southdale goes bust.

The new development at the former Our Lady’s school site has been hit by the failure of its building contractor.

All the “for sale” units have been reserved and work is well advanced.

Media reports say that Southdale have gone into administration but the effect – if any – on the controversial Hob Moor development is unclear.

The developers – Yorkshire Housing – have not issued a statement nor has the York Council which claimed to have facilitated the development

There is no information on the Hobstones web site

Last November Southdale described the development as;

“Fourteen of the 55 homes at Hobstone will be for sale and the rest of the homes will available to rent at below market rates to families on average or low incomes.

Located on the site of the former Our Lady’s Primary school the houses look out onto Hob Moor. Built by Southdale and designed by award-winning architects Brewster Bye, the homes offer high quality energy, efficient accommodation with decent sized rooms and tasteful fittings”.

The for sale units proved to be popular with prices around £170,,000.

The development became controversial when the Labour Council almost doubled the number of units to be built on the former school site with local residents voicing concerns about “over-development” and fearing an adverse impact on Hob Moor and local traffic volumes.

Polling Day

Today is polling day in Westfield

There are six polling stations

KA Sanderson Court Community House, Bramham Road, Chapelfields, York.

KB Acomb Parish Church Hall, Front Street, Acomb, York.

KC Westfield Primary Community School, Askham Lane, York.

KD Welly Boots Creche, Energise, Cornlands Road. York.

KE Hob Moor Community Primary School, Green Lane, York.

KF Foxwood Community Centre, Cranfield Place, York.

You do not need your polling card to vote. Simply attend the polling station and give the presiding officer your name and address.

If you are in doubt about whether you are on the electoral register please give us a ring (York 794111) and we will check for you

There are a total of 13 candidates contesting the three vacant Councillor positions in the ward.

The three Liberal Democrat candidates are

Sue Hunter
Sheena Jackson
Andrew Waller

Any LibDem supporter requiring a lift to the polls should ring York 701727 (Foxwood York 794111) between the hours of 10:00am and 9:00pm. The polls close at 10:00pm

On arrival at the polling station you will be given two separate ballot papers.

There are 7 candidates contesting the parliamentary seat.