York Council paid out over £1/2 million for Knights training and match-day facilities

A response on a Freedom of Information web site has revealed that the York Council has paid £400,000 to St John’s University.

In return the University  agreed to allow the Knights Rugby team to train, and play its second string fixtures, at the new Haxby Road sports ground.

£200,000 was paid out last year, despite an impasse developing during which the Knights were barred from using the facility.

They eventually gained access only 6 weeks ago.

A second installment of £200,000 has been paid during the current financial year.

It is unclear whether the payments will also facilitate access by York residents to the Haxby Road facilities.

Four weeks ago St Johns University announced that it was withdrawing from participation in the Community Stadium project at Monks Cross

The new information also reveals that payments of £42,168 were made in 2014/15 and £64,000 so far this year to allow the Knights to play their first team fixtures at Bootham Crescent.

No such fixtures have yet been played at the venue with the Knights following a largely nomadic existence for most of their current season, before eventually ending up at Heworth.

If they win their next fixture against Swinton, they might have a home tie in the playoffs… raising again the possibility of a move to Bootham Crescent.

Clubs hiring an average football stadium might expect to pay around £30,000 a year in rent. The figures for Bootham Crescent, therefore, look relatively high – although it would have to cover the cost of changing the layout from football to rugby, not to mention the issue of off the field income.

The expenditure of £506,168 is part of a total of £3.9 million spent so far by the Council on the Community Stadium project. The £3.9 million also includes around £1 million spent on improving athletics facilities at the University of York.

Most of the money has come from a “Section 106” payment made by the developers of the John Lewis store site at Monks Cross.

Knights costs

Walmgate Bar – key restoration milestone on Thursday

Walmgate bar paintingA major milestone in the Walmgate Bar restoration project will take place on Thursday when a mobile crane will hoist the replacement balustrade rail and roof-top decking sections into position.

To allow the crane to be in position Walmgate bar will be closed to through traffic from 8am – 8pm on Thursday 24 September.

Signed diversions will be in place for motorists. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the works.

The works form part of a £100,000 project to restore the gatehouse which started last year. This includes the installation of a unique system which will support the timber-framed extension should either or both columns be struck by a vehicle, repair works to the roof, including restoration of the balustrade and windows, and re-rendering the timber-framed extension.

John Oxley, City Archaeologist, said: “The restoration programme at Walmgate Bar has two main aims: to ensure the continued structural stability of this wonderful building; and to put in features which will allow for the first time safe access for the general public to the roof and Barbican. You can now walk around and sit on the Barbican. Soon you will be able to enjoy the view form the roof!”

As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption. Residents are assured that everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum, however motorists should expect some delays and plan their journey accordingly.

The City Walls are open every day from 8am to dusk. To find out more about the Walls or about the Walmgate Bar project visit:www.york.gov.uk/citywalls

What’s on: Mansion House open to the public

Mansion House, Lord Mayors flat is on the top floor

Mansion House

Residents and visitors will be able to see the Mansion House like never before when the building hosts an open weekend on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September.

As part of works to restore the building the Georgian townhouse will open its doors offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Mansion House stripped of its furniture. Architects and guides will be on hand to answer any questions visitors may have on the building and the restoration as they move freely around the building.

The evening of Saturday 27 September will also see the building host the Vespertine Event as part of the Food and Drink Festival. Music, performances and art will be the order of the day as guests tour the building as part of the Mansion House Masquerade.

After this the Mansion House will see its biggest investment since it was built in 1732, thanks to a grant of £1,198,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), as well as funding from City of York Council and donations to the restoration fund.

The funding, announced in March 2015, will allow the Mansion House to be open to residents and visitors for longer and enable them to see more of the building, and its civic collection, than ever before. Once the restoration work is completed the Mansion House will be open to the public all day, five days a week as opposed to the three days a week it is open currently.

The support also looks to give the historic building a more financially secure future, and enable more people to get involved in learning at the Georgian townhouse and make it easier for more people to visit.

The Mansion House will be open from 11am–3pm Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November. For more information visit http://www.mansionhouseyork.com/. For information on the Vespertine event visit http://www.vespertineyork.com/vesp04/. 

York meets to co-ordinate response to help Syrian refugees

Refugee leadersRepresentatives from City of York Council’s Executive have met with key partners on Monday to discuss how, as a city, York can best co-ordinate a response to helping Syrian refugees.

The meeting included partners from the voluntary sector, faith sector, public health, housing and universities and discussed how the various groups could work together and offer their experiences and resources towards a co-ordinated response in York.

Offers of support, including temporary accommodation in the private sector, have already been generously put forward to the council in response to the meeting. If anyone would like to provide accommodation, donations or other assistance, information on this can be found at www.york.gov.uk/refugeesupport .

A dedicated email address has also been set-up to channel any offers of support via refugeesupport@york.gov.uk . In addition to this, the council is also working alongside the regional co-ordinating body, Migration Yorkshire.

The call for action follows the Prime Minister’s recent announcement and commitment to bring up to 20,000 refugees to the UK.  

The council is currently awaiting information from government on the detail of the resettlement scheme.

However, yesterday’s meeting has enabled the council and partners to be in the best possible position to respond to any offers of accommodation and ensure other support can be received by appropriate organisations once these details are known.

(more…)