“On Line” survey asks what York Police tax should be

With crime levels increasing in parts of York, a consultation survey has begun.

It asks whether the police tax should be increased by 1.99% next year.

Recently the government announced that there would be no reduction in the grant that it gives to Police forces.

The survey can be completed by clicking here

The Crime Commissioners Office only hints at how any extra money raise could be spent although residents have an opportunity to “write in” comments.

There are elections for a new Police and Crime Commissioner on 5th May 2016  

More information is available here. The last PCC elections produced the lowest elector turnout ever recorded (15%). 

York Council budget and newspaper

The York Council is also conducting a survey of residents views on its new budget. It can be completed here “on line

The Council is delivering another “Our City” newspaper with a survey form enclosed.

However, they are not giving residents an opportunity to give a verdict on the likely local increase in Council Tax (expected to be 3.99%)

The Council newspaper – which costs residents around £40,000 a year – also has a section devoted to “local news” which appears to be aimed at encouraging participation in how Ward Committee funds are spent.

Our City west Jan 2016

click to access

Our City budget consultation Jan 2016

Click to access

Young homeless help Jeff decorate for Christmas

Enable is very pleased to announce that the team has been working its makeover magic in a special Christmas project.

The initiative is a partnership between City of York Council’s 60+ housing advice service and SASH, a charity providing accommodation and support to young people experiencing homelessness.

On 22 December a team of five young people along with council and SASH staff and volunteers from Homebase decorated the new home of Jeff Brady, aged 62.
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Council ducking Glen Lodge concerns?

PAY--Glen-Lodge-nursing-home-in-York-where-Pamela-Hudson-75-was-allegedly-bitten-by-a-ratYesterday evenings Health Committee meeting failed to provide reassurances for those concerned by the alleged “rat bite” incident at Glen Lodge.

It emerged that members of the committee had already been sent a report on the incident, but this has not been made public. 

The Department of Health has asked for an independent review of the case and the Council has promised to cooperate with that review.

It is to be hoped that report at least will be open and transparent.

One of the problems with adopting a defensive and opaque approach to issues like these is that exaggeration (or complacency) may creep into both the media and the comments of Councillors. One speaker at yesterday’s meeting not only presumed the scale of the incident, but also the causes and the remedy.

So facts may already to have become the victim of the Councils secretive approach.

The matter will be reported back to the committee at some stage next year.