Security campaign makes its mark on York’s allotments

A new scheme to deter crime in York’s allotments has been sown by City of York Council and partners.

Bootham Stray Allotment Association, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Safer York Partnership (SYP) and North Yorkshire Police (NYP) are among those digging in with the council to back a campaign to mark and record property in the city, starting off with plot holders’ equipment used in the city’s allotments.

As part of the new ‘York Allotments Against Crime’ campaign, a bid to fund a security marker was made by Bootham Stray Allotment Association – with support from City of York Council – to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund. The funds were awarded and a security marker has been bought. It will be used to engrave the property of allotment holders across the city at drop-in marking sessions starting on Saturday 4 July. Other markers funded by Safer York Partnership and North Yorkshire Police have been bought for wider use across the city.

Allotment plot holders have been invited to a number of property marking events which start on 4 July and run until September. The timetable is at https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/2488/tool_marking_event
Once an item is marked, an officer will record it on the police database, so if it is stolen and retrieved it can be more quickly returned to its owner and, if possible, used as evidence.

Spinach

Councillor Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at City of York Council, said:

“We have very popular allotments in York which we want residents to enjoy in as secure an environment as possible. With this scheme we are encouraging plot holders to ensure their equipment is securely stored, and that it’s security marked to help deter theft.”
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Consultation starts on a new approach to combat street drinking in The Groves area

The council is considering extending the area covered by restrictions on the consumption of alcohol in public, by introducing a new Public Space Protection Order for Union Terrace and The Groves

Following increased reports of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the area and a neighbourhood petition being submitted voicing concerns, the council has been working with police and residents to consider appropriate, additional measures.

Introducing a PSPO would mean that any person within the area who is asked by a police or council officer to stop drinking alcohol in public and who fails to do so, could be given a maximum on-the-spot fixed penalty notice of £100.

Councillor David Carr, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: “We want to support local residents and businesses to combat nuisance and their feedback and evidence given to consultation will be used as part of an application to create a new PSPO. Innovative and collaborative solutions like these to reduce anti-social behaviour are an important aspect to our approach and I welcome all constructive contributions from those interested.”

The Groves is currently outside the existing Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) on Union Terrace or the Alcohol Restriction Zone (ARZ) which extends within the city walls, Micklegate and the area around the station.

The consultation ends on 27 July and is at https://www.york.gov.uk/consultations

Latest planning application for the Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards.

Acomb

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Location: 33 Millgates York YO26 6AT

Proposal: Prune Cherry tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No.: 23

Ref No: 15/01355/TPO

Applicant: Mrs E M Nunns Contact: Douglas Monaghan Consultation Expiry Date: 20 July 2015 Case Officer: Esther Priestley Expected Decision Level:

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Westfield

Location: 90 Barkston Avenue York YO26 5BB

Proposal: Two storey side extension

Ref No: 15/01286/FUL

Applicant: Mr John Campbell Contact Mr Chris Allan Consultation Expiry Date 20 July 2015 Case Officer: Elizabeth Potter Expected Decision Level DEL

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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

Woodlands estate walkabout

Woodlands estate

Cllr Stephen Fenton (Dringhouses & Woodthorpe) and Cllr Sheena Jackson (Westfield) met with a Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust officer last week for a walkabout on the Woodlands estate, which straddles the two wards.

Defective bins

Stephen and Sheena were keen to raise issues of concerns to residents, including:

• Broken salt bins

• Overgrown signs

• Areas in need of a deep sweep

Overgrown signs

Stephen commented:

“It was good to be able to spend some time with a JRHT officer to discuss issues of concern, and we were pleased to learn that monthly estate walkabouts are now planned.

As ward councillors, we want to work with JRHT to make the area a clean and safe place for people to live.”

Improved sweeping needed