York Council – Weekly news round up

York City seek mature players?

walking-football-engage-day-2015

Aged 70, I’m at last playing football”- and you can too!

Following a successful pilot scheme between the council and York City Football Club Foundation a new opportunity is available to anyone aged over 50 who would like to step up to walking football.

Walking football is a popular, slower-paced version of the game where running is treated as a foul. This ruling makes it suitable for older people who would like to return to sport or take up a new challenge.

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Have your say on the council’s key priorities for the next four-years

Whether it’s focussing resources on providing more housing, good quality jobs or ensuring that there is a focus on delivering key frontline services, the council feels it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to contribute towards these priorities and feedback their views.

York residents and businesses have until Wednesday 26 August to feedback on the draft proposals, which are based on the new administration’s priorities and the council’s statutory responsibilities.

The plan is built around three key priorities, including:

  • A prosperous city for all – where local businesses can thrive and residents have good quality jobs, housing and opportunities
  • A focus on frontline services – to ensure all residents, particularly the least advantaged, can access reliable services and community facilities
  • A council that listens to residents -to ensure it delivers the services you want and works in partnership with local communities.

Feedback can be made via a number of ways below, which will be bought back to an Executive meeting in September for final approval:

  • Online: www.york.gov.uk/councilplan
  • In person: drop by and see officers at West Offices on Wednesday 12 or Thursday 14 August
  • Drop-off points:  at libraries or Explore Centres until 26 August.
  • Social media: ‘tag us’ @CityofYork on Twitter or @CityofYorkCouncil on Facbeook using #councilplan
  • By post: send feedback to FREEPOST RTEG-TYYU-KLTZ, Business Intelligence Team, City of York Council, West Offices, York YO1 6GA.

Number of York jobseekers falls again

National statistics released today have revealed the number of residents claiming Job Seekers Allowance in York has fallen for the fourth consecutive month.

The number of claimants in York has fallen by 49.8 percent in the last year. There are now 791 claimants in York, a fall of 98 from last month and of 1,577 from June 2014. Today’s figures also showed a 58.2 per cent fall in the Youth unemployment count since June 2014.

The claimant count represents 0.6 per cent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2.4 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.7 per cent.

Spinach

Spin bowler

Councillor Keith Aspden, Deputy Leader of City of York Council said: “It is pleasing to see that partnership working across the city is helping to keep unemployment low and defy the national trend which has seen the number of jobseekers increase in the last quarter. The new Executive is committed to building on this and as part of our Emergency Budget we are boosting support for small local businesses. I am also working with officers to increase the number of apprenticeships in the council and across York.

Adult learners offered more than ever before

York Learning is offering its widest range of adult learning opportunities ever with its new Learning 4 Everyone programme which is being rolled out across the city.

On offer for the first time too is the widest ever selection of courses from learning partners across the city, such as the University of York and York College. The WEA which features in the brochure has reported an enormous amount of interest following their inclusion in the brochure.

The new programme can be picked up from libraries across the city and holds information on over 300 courses taking place over the coming months.

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Vote proposed for Business Improvement District

Plans for a ballot to take place in November to allow city centre businesses to decide on a proposed Business Improvement District (BID) will be put to the cross-party Economic Development and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 22 July.

Then, on Thursday 30 July, Executive will consider the report which recommends approval of the continuing development of a Business Development District as well as approve a ballot in November 2015 when city centre businesses will be asked to vote on whether they would like to form a BID.

The initiative, led by City Team York, a group of local businesses chaired by Adam Sinclair, would see businesses predominantly within the inner ring road come together to form a BID company to decide how they pool resources to benefit the local economy.

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Public Health report on Dementia Published

City of York Council has published the latest monthly chapter of its Director of Public Health annual report for 2015 which focuses on dementia.

The council’s Director of Public Health is legally required to produce an annual report on the health of the local population.

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Low awareness of ‘non-lump’ breast cancer symptoms puts over 70s’ health at risk in York

City of York Council is supporting Public Health England’s ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign launched today which is aimed at women aged 70 and over.

  • just under a half of women aged 70 and over were able to name a symptom aside from a lump
    • latest annual figures show 15 women aged 70 and over died from breast cancer in York in 2013

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Crime and policing – weekly York round up

North Yorkshire Police – public view

Although North Yorkshire Police commented on the latest crime figures published by ONS, they didn’t’ respond to the public perception figures published at the same time.

69.8% of residents said that they thought that North Yorkshire Police were doing an excellent or good job. This compared to an average for England and Wales of 61.9%. North Yorkshire didn’t achieve the highest  rating though with forces like Dorset, Thames Valley, Surrey, Hertfordshire and Norfolk rated more highly.

Asked whether North Yorkshire Police dealt with local concerns, 64.9% of residents agreed. The national average  was 61.5%. Eight other forces were rated more highly than North Yorkshire.

The detailed crime stats for York only, covering a 12 month rolling period, are reproduced in the table. Full data can be found by clicking here

Yor crime stats

York police step up the fight against burglars

Police in the north of York have launched a new high-visibility operation to protect property and deter burglars.

As part of Operation Joypad, officers from the York North Safer Neighbourhood Team are carrying out high-visibility patrols and physically checking properties to ensure they are secure. The operation is also strongly supported by Special Constables, volunteer police officers with full police powers who give up their own time to protect their communities.

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Information appeal following rape near Dunnington

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a rape that occurred two weeks ago today near York.

The incident occurred in a layby on the A1079 near Dunnington, on the night of Wednesday 1 July.

The victim, a woman in her forties, was attacked in her car whilst sleeping, by a man who is believed to be a lorry driver. The man is described as white, aged about 55 years old, 5ft 10ins tall, of proportionate build and with blond or light hair. He is described as having a tattoo on his upper left arm, possibly an anchor. The vehicle he was believed to have been driving is described as a large lorry similar to an HGV, cream or white in colour, with red lettering on the side including the letters ‘D’, ‘E’.

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Bicycle theft – York city centre

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a cycle theft that occurred in York city centre.

It happened outside of Sainsburys, Piccadilly, York, at 3.15pm on 3 April 2015 and involved a man wearing a grey hooded top and jeans. A black coloured Specialized Jinx ladies bicycle was stolen which had lime green detailing.

We are conducting enquiries and are requesting the public’s assistance to help determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

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Appeal following collision on The Mount

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a minor collision that occurred on The Mount in York.

It happened at approximately 5.20pm on 29 May 2015, and involved a cyclist and a dark-coloured soft top type vehicle.

The cyclist received minor injuries after the vehicle collided with her whilst she was waiting to turn right at the junction.

Unfortunately the driver of the vehicle failed to stop.

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 Damage to First Bus York

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses after the First York #1 bus service from New Earswick to Wigginton was attacked by two youths. Damage was subsequently caused to a window of the bus and a replacement service had to be called.

The incident occurred when the bus was parked on Haxby Road, York, near the Lime Tree Avenue junction on Sunday 31st May 2015 at 2230 hours.

We are conducting enquiries and are requesting the public’s assistance to help determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident

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 Police seek driver of Citroen Saxo involved in traffic collision on Cornlands Road

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information about a minor collision that occurred on Cornlands Road in York.

It happened around 1pm on 13/06/15 and involved a black, sporty-looking Citroen Saxo, the driver of which is yet to be identified. The vehicle collided with a six-year-old boy on Cornlands Road in York, knocking him off his bike.

The boy sustained minor injuries in the collision. Although the driver stopped at the scene of the collision and spoke to the boy’s father, they did not leave any contact information.

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Crime levels increasing in North Yorkshire

Drugs, robbery, sexual offences, violence, weapons offences show increases. Burglaries, vehicle offences & vandalism down

edged-weapons

There were a total of 34,617 crimes in North Yorkshire 0.5% increase, 168 more crimes – in comparison to the same period in 2013-2014

Broken down into the main crime categories, the ONS figures for North Yorkshire show:

  • Domestic Burglary reduced by 13% (1,371 crimes in total, down 196 from ,1567), with overall Burglary down by 6% (3,960 crimes in total, down 258 from 4,218)
  • Criminal Damage and Arson down by 9% (5,097 crimes in total from  5,615)
  • 14% reduction in Vehicle Offences (2,207 crimes in total, down 363 from 2,570)
  • Robbery increased by 25% (146 crimes in total, up 29 from 117)
  • 8% decrease in Theft Offences (16,831 crimes in total)
  • Sexual Offences up by 50% (1,054 crimes in total, up 352 from 702). As previously explained, this rise is generally regarded as a positive reflection of the confidence victims have in North Yorkshire Police, particularly those making historical complaints. This is also influenced by Operation Yewtree and Operation Hibiscus (Jimmy Savile/Peter Jaconelli investigations), and the opening of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in York two years ago.
  • Violence Against the Person went up by 20% (7,366 crimes in total, up by 1,128 from 6,138). This rise is almost entirely attributable to the Violence without Injury category. This includes Common Assault and Harassment offences. A problem profile conducted on trends in this crime category in the Autumn of last year showed improved recording following a recent HMIC inspection, an increase in historical reports, increased pro-activity around enforcement of orders and improved victim confidence.
  • Drug Offences increased by 15% (2,085 crimes in total, up 272 from 1,813)
  • Possession of Weapons Offences up by 26% (230 crimes in total, up by 47 from 183)
  • Public Order Offences decreased by 1% (1,238 crimes in total, down by 18 from 1,256)
  • Miscellaneous Crimes Against Society, which includes the possession and publication of extreme sexual images, was up by 35% (570 crimes in total, up by 148 from 422).

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: “The latest crime figures reflect the sheer determination of North Yorkshire Police and our partners to make North Yorkshire the safest place in England.

“We will continue to focus our efforts on all elements of criminality and improve the service we provide to those who unfortunately become victims of crime. Certain crimes continue to become more challenging and complex to investigate, however we are investing in new technology and I am confident the skills and commitment of the North Yorkshire Police team will rise to any future challenges.”

North Yorkshire remains the safest place to live, work and visit in England, the Office of National Statistics confirm.

Parliament Street fountain demolition to be reviewed

Parliament Street fountainYork’s Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism has called for a review of the plan to demolish the fountain on Parliament Street.

 Make It York, the city’s new destination management organisation, said earlier this month that the fountain should go in order to create a more attractive open space which could be used by festivals. It is understood that the previous Labour Cabinet Member had given the green-light to demolition, but since last week residents have said that they want the fountain to stay and an online petition has been launched. This petition runs until August.

The fountain was originally installed 25 years ago, but the power supply was switched off in 2012 when the Parliament Street toilets were demolished.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Leisure, Culture & Tourism, has now said that there should be a cross-party look at the options. He commented:

“The previous Labour administration wasted millions on vanity schemes in the city-centre that had no cross-party or public support such as the controversial King’s Square redevelopment. We are taking a different approach and therefore, when the petition closes, I will ask the council’s cross-party Learning & Culture policy committee to undertake a review.

“This review will allow councillors and residents to have their say and decide how they want the space in Parliament Street to be used within the budget constraints which currently exist. It should be a short review which will also involve proper consultation with market traders and with Make it York.”

 

NB Cllr Ayre aims to initiate the short review at September’s cross-party Learning & Culture Policy and Scrutiny Committee and no formal decision on the fountain will be taken before