Future of York’s Park & Ride service

A new eight-year contract for York’s Park&Ride service, which attracts over 4.5million passengers annually, will be awarded next year following a procurement exercise which will commence shortly.

Ahead of this procurement process, a report examining the options for the delivery of the service after the end of the current contract in 2017 will be taken to an Executive meeting on 24 September.

To ensure that the most effective solutions for the service are presented to members for consideration, a comprehensive review of the existing operation and potential amendments has been undertaken.

This included a review of Park&Ride operations around the country, surveying the views of the service users, visiting other Park&Ride sites and undertaking pre-procurement engagement with potential suppliers of the service.

During the Executive meeting, members will be asked to consider approving the principles for the service and delivery, which will enable a new eight-year contract to be prepared.

Currently operated on behalf of the council by First York, the current eight-year contact will come to an end in February 2017.

A new contract will commence at the end of the current contract and be awarded in Spring 2016. This is in order to meet with the council’s own financial regulations, ensure best value and transparency in accordance with EU procurement legislation.

Find out more about York’s Park&Ride Service at www.itravelyork.info/buses

Executive will take place on Thursday 24 September at West Offices from 5.30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch live online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

To find out more about the report, or to attend, visit:http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=733&MId=8841

Big Community Energy Supply Switch this autumn

With autumn fast approaching City of York Council is reminding residents that they might be able to save money on their gas and electricity bills by joining the Big Community Switch.

The switch which is open for registrations until 12 October and free to join uses collective purchasing power. This helps the council’s switching partner, iChoosr, to secure the best deal from energy companies at an auction. After this all participants will be receive details of the tariff and will have the choice of switching.

Ruth Abbott, Housing Standards and Adaptations Manager, said: “With the weather beginning to cool and autumn fast approaching many people are starting to use more gas and electricity than during the summer months. The Big Community Switch is a great way for residents to possibly reduce the cost of their energy bills, with an average saving of £169 for over 700 residents who have taken part in the scheme since December 2013.”

How the big community switch works
1. The next big switch is open for registrations until 12 October 2015. Anyone who pays a household energy bill can register for free, including pre payment meter customers and those without gas. Registration is easy – you just need a recent fuel bill or annual statement.

2. The council’s switching partner iChoosr will hold an ‘auction day’ on 13 October 2015 and invite energy companies to offer their best prices.

3. The cheapest tariff wins! People who have registered will receive an email with details of the new tariff secured by the scheme. This will be after 26 October 2015. It will tell residents how much money they could potentially save.

4. Residents will have until a 24 November 2015 to decide to accept the offer or not. There is no obligation to accept and no fees or charges. If residents choose not to take up the offer, they can always register again in future schemes.

For more information and help on joining the Big community Energy Switch visit https://www.york.gov.uk/info/20242/sustainability/1531/the_big_community_switch or watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx_fph_9NeE

York to host seventh jobs fair

City of York Council’s inviting jobseekers and residents wanting to change jobs or improve their skills and qualifications to attend a jobs fair at York Railway Institute on Tuesday 29 September.

The event, which has been organised through partnerships between the council, York Learning, Job Centre Plus and Learning City York is sponsored by Hiscox and will be open to residents from 10am to 3pm.

A range of employers will be present at the event, along with training providers and other agencies offering free advice for people to improve their skills and assist them in their search for employment.

The council and its partners have lined up 60 businesses who are currently recruiting in York, including; Hiscox, Network Rail, Asda, Langleys Solicitors LLP, North Yorkshire Police, Smyths Toys, Richard Preston and Son Ltd (Logistics), Marks and Spencer, City of York Council, Portakabin, TSYS financial services, Best Western (Hotels & Administration) and many others.

The fair will also have a designated quiet area to enable residents to fill in application forms with the help of some excellent local skills and training providers.
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