Ouse Bridge weeds 27th Aug 2015
This year the weeds growing on the parapets of the Ouse bridge are about 3 inches shorter than they were last year.
Lack of rain in June is blamed for the change
Last year the Council failed to address the issue prompting fears that the integrity of the structure might be compromised.
The problem has been reported and hopefully the new Council will act promptly
Ouse Bridge 7th August 2014 Weeds take over parapet
The authority is carrying out a review of its single occupancy customer database to ensure that it is up-to-date. The council will also carry out a residency check to find out who may no longer be eligible for discount.
Ian Floyd, the council’s director of Resources, said: “We know that most people claim council tax discounts legitimately, but there are occasions when people’s circumstances change and they forget to tell us that their discount should be cancelled.
“The authority has a legal and social responsibility to ensure that everyone in York gets value for money and to ensure that only those people who are eligible receive the discount.”
More information on the single persons discount review can be found on the council’s website at: www.york.gov.uk/SPDreview. People can also cancel their discount online.
Householders who receive a single person’s discount review form can also contact the review team by ringing 01904 820900.
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Following changes to national legislation the Council is set to agree a new policy on explosives at a meeting being held on 7th September.
The council currently licence 35 premises to store explosives, a majority of these premises are supermarkets and convenience stores who store and sell firework.
NB. The same meeting will consider an application for a sex establishment licence for premises at the “Black Orchid” in Toft Green
Parents of toddlers in York are being urged to check out whether they’re eligible for free childcare.
From 1 September about 600 two-year-olds in York – double last year’s figure – will be eligible for up to 15 hours of free childcare a week at a playgroup, day nursery or with a childminder as part of a national initiative.
Parents who earn no more than £16,190 a year and receive Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit or Income Support could be eligible for a free childcare place.
Two-year-olds who are looked after by the council or have a Child Protection Plan automatically qualify for a place. And from 1 September children with special educational needs, those who have been adopted or who have a residency/special guardianship order will also qualify for a place.
The free places are available to children who are two-years-old and whose parents fulfil the criteria. The places can be taken up the term after the child’s second birthday.
Parents can apply on line at www.yor-ok.org.uk/childcare or to find out more call the Family Information Service on 01904 554444 or text ‘free place’ to 07624 802244.
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The Arts Council assessment rates the organisation as “strong” or “outstanding” judged against a series of goals.
In addition to the Arts Council funding, the approved core subsidy (agreed by the then Labour led) Council was:
2014/15 (actual)
Revenue funding – £1,105,366
Capital funding – £1,250,000
2015/16 (commitment)
Revenue funding – £605,366.40
Capital funding- £850,000
The correspondence reveals some confusion about an allocation of £500,000 in the Council’s capital budget. Although badged in February’s papers as for the “Museums Trust” it turned out the money was intended for completion of the remodelling of Exhibition Square. The Trust had hoped to hijack the funding to improve the gardens behind the Gallery.
The papers also reveal that the numbers using York Cards to gain admission to Trust buildings recently (the Art Gallery was closed during the period under review) were:
Castle Museum 01/04/14 to 31/05/15
Adults – 18,169
Child – 7,362
Young Person – 370
Yorkshire Museum 01/04/14 to 31/05/15
Adults – 10,337
Child – 6,512
Young Person – 98
The information provides some insight into how the Trust balances its books. It may however reinforce the campaign for greater transparency in the working of Yorks growing army of QUANGOs (Museums, Libraries, “Make it York”, Theatre Royal, CYC Ltd etc.)
The paper also reveals that the Council doles out “VIP” invitations to events like the opening of the new Art Gallery. Traditionally Councillors have paid for any tickets received for events where there is – for others –an admission charge. Over the last few years some Councillors have been slow to make hospitality declarations on their register of interests, although Labour raised the lower limit for such declarations to £50 per event three years ago.
Some of the correspondence will make a sobering read though for @nayre who is variously referred to in the correspondence as Cllr Nayre and Cllr Ayres (close relation of Pam no doubt)
Well known poet
Well know Councillor
