“Make it York” in the dock

Make it York web site

Make it York web site

Rather awkwardly for York’s least favourite QUANGO, “Make it York” will have to face a meeting of its Shareholder’s Committee on 18th January.

The Shareholders Committee has so far failed to get to grips with the fact that the, wholly Council owned, organisation was launched without any meaningful performance indicators being agreed.

 Those that there are, rely heavily on – largely opaque – economic development stats and “Visit York” tourist numbers.

Many of the statistics, due to be reported to the meeting, are missing anyway.

It remains to be seen what the, so far largely sycophantic, Councillors on the committee make of the organisations failure to support business on the 26th and 27th of December when severe floods hit parts of the retail area.

Those looking to the Make it York website for information would have been disappointed.

It was to be a week before the organisation began to raise its head above the flood waters.

It is also the first meeting since the organisation broke its promise to provide a replacement attraction for the traditional Christmas carousel that they evicted from Parliament Street during the St. Nicholas Fair.

The alternative ride never materialised leaving many parents and children disappointed.

 It was, however, good news for drinkers, of course, as a bar in a tent appeared on Parliament Street.

The organisations “narrative report” makes no mention of the problems caused by the floods much less detailing the organisations response.

“Make it York” also continues to ignore sub-urban shopping areas like Acomb.

With the Councils budget meetings coming up shortly and money tight, the Make it York grant seems to offer a risk free economy.  As a minimum the governance and management arrangements for the organisation need a major rethink.

York floods update: Insurance questions, muddled message concern

The number of properties flooded during the recent floods, which did not have insurance cover, has yet to be revealed by the authorities.

York Disaster fund
York Disaster fund

The number should be clear from the volume of applications for assistance made to the York Disaster Fund.

Grants are not normally made to those with appropriate insurance cover.

The level of grants made to date has also not been revealed by either the Council or the Two Riding Community Trust, who now run the fund.

Donations at 10th Jan 2016
Appeal reaches £244,000

The Flood Appeal meanwhile seems to have stalled just short of its original target of £250,000. By 10th January £244,000 had been raised. However, the proceeds from several fund raising events, including a Barbican concert as well as the governments matched funding, have yet to be added to the total.

The number of uninsured properties is a matter of considerable interest as a new government underwritten guarantee scheme is due to come into effect in April.

Flood Re logo The company coordinating the new cover – “Flood Re” – will provide “affordable” insurance cover for homes in high risk locations. It was first suggested in 2011 but setting up delays – it was to have launched last summer – have piled pressure on its Chairman, former Tory MP Mark Hoban who apparently pockets a 6 figure sum for the part time role.

Flood Re is a collaboration between the insurance industry and the Government and will cap the insurance of home owners in flood-prone areas to £210 a year for Council Tax “Band A” homes to £540 a year for “Band G” homes. The scheme will cover 500,000 properties at risk of flooding, including top-end houses in council tax “Band H”.

The subsidy will be funded by a levy of “around” £10.50 on all household premiums across the country.

In the past, the scheme has been deemed “unworkable” and “needlessly expensive” by policy experts, because while it will include riverside mansions, it will exclude thousands of other, more modest properties, such as leasehold flats and homes that are let.

Shops and other businesses will not be covered by the scheme.

Properties built since 2009 will also remain exempt in order to discourage the development of properties on flood plains.

MPs musings

Meanwhile York’s MP has been holding a series of meetings with affected local flood victims. She is right to do so, although the formal inquiry set up by the Council is likely to look at how engaged and effective the Ward Councillors for the flooded Guildhall, Heworth and Clifton Wards – together with the MP herself – were on the ill-fated evening of the 26th December.  

Residents will expect a professional report, on the outcome of her meetings, to be written and that it will be submitted to the official inquiry.

 In the meantime It would be a mistake for any elected representative to indulge in public criticism of any agency or the work of volunteers until all the facts are known.

“Sound bite” interviews are not helpful.

Fire Brigade response
Rapid response vehicle

Rapid response type vehicle

The MP rightly praised the work of the Fire Brigade in York in a tweet on 27th December. Later questions emerged about the failure to utilise the local rescue craft available for the brigade while importing rescue boats from hundreds of miles away.

Now questions are being asked about how appropriate the design is of the new “rapid response vehicles” which the Fire & Rescue Authority wants a substitute for more conventional Fire tenders. Any reduction in the capability of rescue vehicles able to operate on flooded roads would be a concern.

What’s on: Walks around the city

City walks
  • Snickelways Walk January 2016Mon 11 Jan: Yearsley Pool walk and optional free swim: 2.15pm
  • Fri 15 Jan: Explore Acomb walk from Acomb Explore: 10.30am
  • Fri 22 Jan: Explore Acomb walk from Acomb Explore: 11.00am
  • Sun 31 Jan: Snickleways walk from York Explore: 11.15am

For those travelling to or within York journey planner information is available at: www.itravelyork.info

Additional information:

No booking required, but may be worth checking in advance that these are still able to go ahead. Please wear clothing and footwear suited to the weather on the day.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the walk starts to introduce yourself to the walk leader.

Bring a drink and/or packed lunch if required. Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.  Please check bus times prior to departure and arrive 15 minutes before the walk start time. Route incorporates wheelchair and pushchair friendly options.

Contact information: Gillian Chefrad, Active Living Officer.
Public Health Team, City of York Council,
West Offices, Station Rise, YORK  YO1 6GA

T:  01904 553377 
E:  gillian.chefrad@york.gov.uk
W: www.york.gov.uk/healthwalks