York’s apprentices celebrated at graduation event

Hundreds of York apprentices and apprentice employers were celebrated at last night’s graduation ceremony (Thursday 19 November) which took place at the Royal York Hotel.

The fifth York Apprenticeship Graduation, co-ordinated by York Apprenticeship Hub, saw over 100 apprentices recognised for completing their Apprenticeship.

Apprentices were joined at the high-profile ceremony by over 200 friends, family, employers and training providers. Other guests at the event included The National Apprenticeship Service, York and North Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership, The Guilds and the Civic Party.
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Help play a vital role in preserving York’s orchards

 A new citywide project which hopes to encourage more communities to play a vital role in finding and preserving orchards in York through a new York Heritage Orchard Group has launched.

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Traditional orchards are wildlife havens which contain elements of woodland, pasture and meadow grassland, and are often bordered by native hedgerows.

They are recognised as representing ‘biodiversity hotspots’ and have been identified as priority habitats through both the national and local Biodiversity Action Plans.

However, statistics from the national charity Peoples Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has found that around 90 per cent of these habitats have been lost since the 1950s.

In order to help halt this decline and to protect these important habitats, City of York Council is inviting individuals and communities to get in touch if they own or care for an orchard, which they believe may be of heritage interest to help get this new group off the ground.
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York talk on climate change ahead of United Nations conference

For_the_love_of_yorkshireExperts in the field of sustainability and climate change are inviting community groups to join them at one of several events being held across the region to talk about tackling climate change.

The special event takes place at City of York Council’s West Offices (Snow Room) from 12noon on Thursday 3 December.

The engagement session focuses on the new ‘For the Love of Yorkshire’ climate campaign and also the benefits of tackling climate change for cities and regions.

This session takes place during the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference on 30 November to 11 December, which is recognised as being one of the most important international efforts in recent years. The’ For the Love of Yorkshire’ campaign will also be taking climate messages from York to the European conference.
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York Council facing £1.2 million over-spend

Concerns that NHS could land City taxpayers with £3 million bill

Over budgetA report being considered by the Council next week reveals that it may overspend this year’s budget by £1.25 million. This is relatively small in percentage terms compared to previous years.

The forecast comes as the expenditure against budget for the period to September is revealed.

It is possible that a “Better Care Fund” budget, shared with the NHS, and intended to support adult social care services, may be raided to help fund a deficit run up by the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group.

This could leave a £3 million hole in the Council’s budgeted income.

The government is also consulting on reducing the Public Health budget for this year by £1/2 million.

The biggest pressures on the Council’s budget though comes from the large number of children in foster care.

The report says,

“The number of Children Looked After is unlikely to reduce in the foreseeable future, and York’s unit cost is already the lowest of all 150 Local Authorities nationally”.

The report also reveals:

  • The income from car parking was £91,000 below expectations. “The largest year on year % reduction was from Marygate car park (15%) where Pay on Exit is being trialed. This has been partly due to technical issues impacting on income levels”. (Incredibly the Council has separately announced that it will consider extending barrier operation to other car parks when it meets on 28th Jan 2016)
  • A forecast income of £100,000 from fines levied by the use of ANPR cameras on Coppergate – inserted into the budget by the last Labour administration – has not been realised as the cameras have remained switched off. However, some Councillors are thought to be in favour of switching them back on again – watch this space!
  • The Council’s housing account is still forecast to have a surplus of £16.6 million at the end of the year.

What’s on: Gervase Phinn at York Explore library

Sat 21 Nov: 2.00pm – 4.00pm : York Explore Library

GervaseGervase Phinn, one of Britain’s best loved comic writers, introduces his latest book A Lesson in Love, his new tale of life in the Dales. Laughter, tears and entertainment are guaranteed!

Gervase Phinn will sign books after the talk – an ideal Christmas present for anyone who loves Yorkshire.

All the beloved characters from Gervase Phinn’s other Little Village School novel make welcome returns in this new tale of life in the Dales.

Elizabeth Stirling (formerly Devine but now newly wed to Dr Stirling), the head teacher of the newly amalgamated school must prove its worth to the parents, governors, school inspectors and the children themselves.

She must tread the narrow line between kindness and discipline with diplomacy if she is to get what she knows the school needs – and avoid an unholy row about teachers and health and safety.

There are lessons learned and characters shaped in this most entertaining of novels. Humour and raw emotion, laced with humour and wicked observations pepper Gervase Phinn’s writing and this book is a wonderful example.

Tickets priced £6 or £5 with a Yorkcard are available from  www.feelinginspired.co.uk , or from any Explore York Library

What’s on: Willow weaving at the Castle

Sat 21 Nov : 10.00am – 3.00pm

Castle MuseumAn introduction to willow weaving and how you can use this versatile material.

Create your own willow Christmas decorations – angels, Christmas trees and stars to impress family and friends this Christmas.

£35.00 per person, plus £5 for materials on the day , includes museum admission.

To book please visit www.yortime.org.uk, call 01904 552806 or e-mail york.learning@york.gov.uk.  

This activity is part of the Adult Learning Programme at York Museums Trust