Parliament Street fountain – decision date set

Parliament Street fountainThe fate of the fountain on Parliament Street will be decided by the York Council’s Executive when it meets on 24th September. 

Although the new Executive now includes a representative from both the Labour and Green groups, it is anticipated that a more balanced all party meeting of a “scrutiny committee” will also consider the same issue a week earlier.

The future of the fountain was brought into question when the Quango “Make it York” announced that it would be demolished.

The statement was widely criticised as there had been no prior consultation with residents or most Councillors.

Another petition is being collected concerning the nearby site where children’s rides are traditionally located at Christmas. It is expected that it will attract sufficient signatures to force the Council to publicly debate the issue and consider reinstating the Carousel at its traditional location.

One thousand pieces of York property permanently protected from thieves

More than 1,000 York bikes, tools and gadgets have been marked as part of a ground-breaking new project to protect property and deter burglars.

Dot peen property marking

Four new ‘dot peen’ property marking machines were brought into action six weeks ago, and since then hundreds of people have attended drop-in sessions across York to get their valuable items permanently marked.

Every year, police recover hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stolen property from the hands of criminals, but all too often there is no way of identifying its rightful owners. Being able to trace the ownership of the property not only helps people get the property back, but it can also provide evidence that is vital in securing convictions for theft, burglary and handling stolen goods.

Dot peen marking involves using a tungsten carbide-tipped pin to indent an object with dots to create a visible, permanent unique number. The unique number will be entered onto the national Immobilise property register database, vastly increasing the chances that it will be reunited with its owner if it is lost or stolen.

The dot peen machines have been funded by North Yorkshire Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, and Safer York Partnership.

In just six weeks, officers have marked 727 garden and allotment tools, 234 cycles and dozens of assorted gadgets such as cameras, games consoles and speakers.

Among the more unusual items permanently marked and protected against thieves are a wheelchair, a Fender Jazzmaster guitar, two riding saddles and a cello case.

Drop-in sessions have been held at City of York Council’s West Offices, York District Hospital, St Lukes Chruch, York Riding School; community events across the city; and the allotments at Low Moor, Bootham, Strensall, Howe Hill, Hempland Lane, Glen, Bustardthorpe, Fulford Cross.
(more…)