Bad Bargain Lane to be closed for essential repairs

road worksCity of York Council will be carrying out essential resurfacing works on Bad Bargain Lane from Monday 16 November.

The work is expected to take one week to complete, weather permitting. Work will take place between 9.15am and 2.45pm.

In order to carry out these works safely a temporary road closure of Bad Bargain Lane will be in place. Residents are advised there will be no access for vehicles during working hours except in emergencies. There will be no on-street parking during these times.
(more…)

World Pancreatic Cancer Day tomorrow (Friday)

click to view

click to view

Many people in York is supporting World Pancreatic Cancer Day on Friday 13th November which aims to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer – considered to be the little known disease – with the public.

It is estimated that 926 people around the world are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer every day, with 905 people will die from the disease every day across the world.

The number of diagnoses has continued to rise but there is still very low awareness of pancreatic cancer with over 60% of people surveyed recently knowing almost nothing about the disease.

World Pancreatic Cancer Day’s hopes to bring much-needed focus and attention to the disease, especially the need for increased symptom awareness and greater investment into research.  World Pancreatic Cancer Day encourages everyone to “see purple” on 13 November by wearing purple, lighting landmarks purple, using purple on social media channels etc.

City of York Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health Councillor Carol Runciman said: “Raising awareness is the first step to action.  The more people who know about pancreatic cancer, the greater the opportunity and need will be for more research and for the development of better resources for those facing the disease.”

Pancreatic cancer is considered to be one of the deadliest cancers, with just two to 10% of those diagnosed surviving five years.  In the UK 71% of people cannot name a simple symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is sometimes referred to as a “silent cancer” because the early symptoms are often quite vague.

  • Classic pancreatic cancer symptoms can include:
  • Painless jaundice (yellow skin/eyes, dark urine).
  • Weight loss which is significant and unexplained
  • Abdominal pain which is new and significant.

Other possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer:
• Pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back which is new, significant and persistent that is relieved by leaning forward
• Back pain
• Diabetes which is new-onset and not associated with weight gain
• Vague indigestion or abdominal discomfort
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain when eating

Not everyone will have all of these symptoms.  For example, those who have a tumour in the body or tail of the pancreas are unlikely to have painless jaundice.  All of these symptoms can have other causes, and there is not yet a reliable and easy test for pancreatic cancer.

If you have any of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer visit your GP.

For more information about World Pancreatic Cancer Day, visit www.worldpancreaticcancerday.org

Public invited to consultation on school admissions in York

School childrenAll admissions authorities in the City of York Council area are consulting parents and carers on new policies and the number of places available for the school year starting in September 2017.

The consultation includes all admissions policies and the planned number of places available at each school in the year of entry to primary, junior, secondary school and sixth forms. The views of parents, carers, schools as well as governors, teachers and other interested parties are being sought before the closing date of 15 December 2015.

The fairness and accessibility of information available, application processes, planned admission numbers, admission policies and oversubscription criteria are all currently being consulted on. All comments will be forwarded to the relevant admissions authority for their consideration before agreeing these arrangements
Following consultation, each admissions authority will formally set its admission arrangements by 28 February 2016. These will be published on each admissions authority’s websites by 15 March 2016 after which date objections can be raised to the Schools Adjudicator.

Three Coordinated Admissions Schemes are being consulted on for entry into all Primary (Reception), Junior (Year 3) and Secondary (Year 7) schools. The consultation also includes policies for York’s Community and Voluntary Controlled schools, as well as the 12 Admissions Policies for Academy and Voluntary Aided schools in the city. All documents offered for consultation are in their draft (pre-determined) form.
(more…)

Finalists Announced for York Apprenticeship Awards

ApprenticeshipFinalists for the 2015 York Apprenticeship Awards have been announced ahead of the York Apprenticeship Graduation and Awards Ceremony next week.

This year saw more high quality applications than ever before, with nominations for many outstanding apprentices across the city.

The awards will be presented as part of the York Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony at The Royal York Hotel from 7.30pm to 8.45pm on Thursday 19 November, when over 1,000 apprentices will be eligible to graduate.

This year, there are five categories: Apprentice of the Year aged 16-24 (SME), Apprentice of the Year aged 16-24 (Large Employer), Apprentice of the Year aged 25 or over, Small Employer of the Year and Large Employer of the Year.

The shortlisted nominees are:
(more…)

Low profile public opinion survey by York Council on “public engagement”

We doubt that many residents  will know that they can complete an “on line” survey giving their views on the Councils web site and any difficulties that they may be having in communicating with the Council.

web site problem1 (1)

Given the controversy about the Council’s web based issue reporting systems – still not back to the standard achieved 10 years ago – it may be that the York Council would prefer not to have any responses. 

If you can find you way round the byzantine structure of the Councils new web site you may eventually find the following

Improving Public Engagement

Our Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee is reviewing the potential for improving public engagement, the take up of services through digital means and our ability to respond.  We welcome your views and experiences of engaging with us via our Improving Public Engagement survey.

Consultation closes 31 December 2015

What’s on: Art explorations?

art-gallery

Date: Sat 14 and Sun 15 Nov
Time: 10.30 am start Sat; 12.30 start Sun
Venue: York Art Gallery
Cost: £60

This 2-day (8 hrs) workshop will allow you to explore the use of mixed media techniques in creating effective fur and feather textures in your artworks.

Drawing inspiration from the collection of the York Museum Trust & the taxidermy in the exhibition: The Lumber Room: Unimagined Treasures, curated by York artist Mark Hearld, we will explore and apply a variety of drawing and painting techniques using: watercolours, water-soluble crayons, pen and ink, and other colour media e.g. colour pencils, pastels etc in our bid to visually evoke the “feel of fur n’ feather”!

In addition, we will use more contemporary approaches such as gesso, and   texturing mediums with our paints/ paper, as well as basic printing methods   to further experiment with textural techniques.

Please bring drawing/paint media you wish to use (& any referred to in the course description above if you have them)

Also paper (cartridge / watercolour as appropriate), sketchbook, brushes, palette, water pot, and a sharp craft knife.
N.B. Some media and tools will be available for learners to use, however, it is suggested that learners bring a range of media with them, so that they can experiment on the day.
If learners wish to attend without any materials, a charge of £3 – £5 will be made for the use of tutor’s media.

Photographic resources of animals may also be used if you wish to bring them.

Refreshments will be available to purchase; a packed lunch would be advisable.

Also at the Art Gallery

Date: Wed 18 Nov : 12.30 – 1.30pm
The Lumber Room, free talk by Mark Hearld. No need to book. Admission fees apply.

Date: Fri 27 Nov : 2.00pm – 3.00pm
The Collector’s eye, free talk by collector Anthony Shaw. No need to book. Admission fees apply.