York Police appeal for information following bike theft at Clifton Moor, York

CCTV images released

North Yorkshire Police have released images of a man they would like to speak to, in relation to the theft of bike from outside Pure Gym on Clifton Moor, York.

At around 9.20am on 26 October a green Claude Butler racing bike with flat handlebars was allegedly stolen from outside the gym.

The man pictured was seen leaving the gym on Stirling Road at around the same time and may have important information that could assist the investigation.

Anyone who recognises the man pictured in the CCTV image is asked to contact the police on 101 and ask to speak to PC James Jones. Alternatively please email James.Jones@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 121501899 in connection with this incident.

Have your say on York Council budget

The Council has issued a media release saying,

“City of York Council’s Executive is facing some tough decisions in 2016-17. Below outlines why these difficult choices need to be made and why residents’ views are so important.

To help shape the 2016-17 Budget proposals, the council is inviting residents to have their say through a consultation by Wednesday 20 January:

· Online at www.york.gov.uk/consultations/

· By post to FREEPOST RTEG-TYYU-KLTZ, Budget consultation, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA

· By hand at West Offices or libraries/Explore Centres”.

On line consultation questionaire https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YorkBudget

The Council of course omits to mention many options that many residents might like to take.

You noticeably won’t be able to vote for a pay freeze for Councillors or to reduce their support costs,
There’s no option to stop the “Our City” newspaper.
Quangos like “Make it York” are off the options list.

Not can you vote to save money through the lower debt (interest) charges which would come if the subsidy was reduced for big investment schemes like the:

New swimming pool at Monks Cross
Access bridge to the York Central development or
Development of the Guildhall site.

There isn’t even a “write in” option for those feeling inventive!

You can say whether you prefer a tax rise to service cuts but you aren’t offered a choice on how much any increase might be!

NB It is likely that the cap in increases will be around 3.9% most of which will be ring-fenced for elderly care.

The Council justifies its stance by saying, “This year’s budget proposals will seek to ensure the council’s priorities continue to be delivered, whilst also ensuring the council’s financial position is managed effectively.
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Residents invited to join Wheelchair Basketball Legacy Games on Sunday

Local Wheelchair Basketball club, the York Sharks are welcoming players of all ages and abilities by holding two tournaments on the day, one for league players and the other for those who wish to have a go or develop their skills.

The day will showcase the sport, which plays to the same rules as Basketball by players seated in wheelchairs. Anyone who wishes to take up the activity will be able to find out more about the club and their regular practice sessions at Joseph Rowntree School.

Lee Fawcett, an ex Great Britain and Paralympic player will be attending to help inspire participants. He will be playing in a demonstration game from 12.20pm to 1.20pm, where Tees Valley Titans (division one) will take on Leeds Spiders (premier league).
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Unemployment falls again in York

City of York Council has welcomed figures that have shown the number of York residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance and Universal Credit (out of employment) has again fallen.

The statistics, released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show there are now 1,025 claimants in York, a fall of 210 (17 per cent) from November 2014 and of 27 residents claiming jobseekers allowance and Universal Credit in the last month.

The figures also showed the number of young people claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit has also fallen by 63.27 per cent in the last year.

The Jobseekers Allowance claimant count for York represents 0.5 per cent of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 2 per cent. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 1.5 per cent.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economic Development of City of York Council said:

“I am pleased that the long-term figures show a reduction in the number of claimants in the past 12 months. As an Executive we remain committed to working with partners across the city to support residents looking for work. With the recent positive news in relation to York’s economy with announcements such as the York Central proposals, the opening of the Hiscox offices and the announcement regarding the BID will hopefully see this positive trend continue and offer more opportunities for York residents.”

New Chapelfields Focus newsletter published

New council homes completed on Lindsey Avenue

A development of 14 new council homes is almost complete.

The apartments have been built on the site of the former Pack of Cards pub on Lindsey Avenue by local contractor Woodhouse Barry.

The purchase of the whole block has been completed by the council’s housing department in the first such arrangement of its kind in the city. The first tenants moved into the apartments on 14 December.

The former public house had been on the market for 18 months but no interest had been expressed in running it as a public house or in purchasing it as a commercial development opportunity.

However it was subsequently purchased by the York-based developer RHW Developments. The planning application was submitted in late March 2014 and the acquisition price paid by the council in stages during construction.

The flats have been built to high energy efficiency levels – Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 – and to Lifetime Homes’ standards to ensure they can be easily modified as tenants’ needs change.

With easy access to shops, bus routes, medical services and a Post Office, the homes are prioritised for people with good tenancy records and tenants aged over 55 wishing to downsize thereby freeing up larger homes for growing families.

Meanwhile, tenants of eight new homes at Hewley Avenue will be moving into the two-bedroomed apartments in the coming weeks.

Early in the new year, work will start on eight new homes at Chaloners Road providing two houses and six apartments, and construction of eight apartments at Fenwick Street will begin, as well as six houses on Pottery Lane.

For information and advice on your housing options, visit www.york.gov.uk/housingoptions or call 01904 554500.

Santa’s Socks given to York charities

More than 580 Christmas stockings have been created as part of the council’s second Santa’s Socks community arts project.

The stockings will help share the festive spirit amongst York’s local communities as they will be filled with sweets, donated mainly by council staff, for distribution by York’s food banks and the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS).

Individuals, schools and community groups all busied themselves stitching, sticking, knitting, quilting, crocheting and decorating the wonderful Christmassy socks. Local groups included the WI, dressmaking classes, library volunteers, craft groups, quilting groups and knit and natter groups at libraries as well as informal gatherings of friends. The stockings were collected at libraries and other drop off points in the city.
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