More volunteers needed to support mums and dads in York

A new call for mentors to support struggling parents in York is going out to volunteers.

Mentors 2Mentors are needed who have the time, empathy and understanding to make a difference to some of the most vulnerable families in the city, and will make a real difference to the lives of struggling parents and their children.

The Parent Mentoring Service currently has 11 volunteers and now needs 10 more to continue its valuable work running since October 2011.
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Council cautions against bogus taxis targeting young women

Taxi-to-York-Castle-MuseumCity of York Council has received a number of allegations relating to suspected illegal taxis operating in the city centre in recent weeks.

They have been seen on student nights and reports suggest that the drivers claim to work for a York private hire operator which has contracts with both universities. The drivers also appear to be targeting young women.

To help identify taxis properly-licensed by City of York Council, vehicles and drivers must display the following:

·      Private hire vehicles
  • o   Side plates on the rear doors stating ‘private hire vehicle pre booked only’, the company name and telephone number and/or website address;
  • o   Maroon licence plates on the front and rear of the vehicle, which state City of York Private Hire, the licence number, number of persons the vehicle is licensed to carry and the vehicle registration number;
  • o   A small plate giving the details above must also be displayed within the vehicle.
·      Hackney carriage vehicles
  • o   A ‘taxi’ roof light;
  • o   The York crest of the front doors;
  • o   Yellow licence plate on the rear of the vehicle which states, City of York Hackney Carriage, the licence number, number of persons the vehicle is licensed to carry and the vehicle registration number’;
  • o   A small plate giving the details above must also be displayed within the vehicle
  • o   A meter will be fitted in the vehicle.
  •  Private hire and hackney carriage drivers Photo ID badge issued by the council, which has the driver’s licence number, name and expiry date.

If you are approached by or believe an unlicensed vehicle is operating please don’t get in it. Unlicensed vehicles are not insured to carry passengers, they may not be roadworthy and drivers may not have passed a ‘fit and proper’ person test.

Please report your concerns to the council and/or police as soon as possible. Try to get as many details as possible about the vehicle (registration number, make, model, colour) and driver (sex, age, hair/eye colour, ethnicity, build), along with the location and time. Students can report it to the Student Union who will contact us or, please call City of York Council’s on 01904 551438 or email taxi.licensing@york.gov.uk or please call North Yorkshire Police on 101.

York Council defends flood funding policies

Arial photo of York floodingIn the wake of growing concerns about the transparency of the York Floods Disaster Fund allocation processes, the York Council has issued a statement summarising what other financial assistance is available for victims.

The Council statement reads,

York residents and businesses could receive up to £5,000 to support the resistance and resilience of their property as part of a package of financial support available.

The Government is providing the funding to enable local authorities to provide grants of up to £5,000 to homeowners and businesses that have been flooded as a result of Storm Desmond and Storm Eva to help fund additional flood resilience or resistance measures for their properties

The resilience grant will enable those who have been flooded to better prepare their homes for future flood events, both to prevent flood water from entering the property and to speed the recovery if it does.

In addition to the grant, the council is continuing to provide a raft of financial support citywide to residents and businesses.

To date, the council has helped to provide:

  • £137,000 recovery grant to 274 residents (with a one-off payment of £500)
  • Ensured 342 properties directly affected by flooding will be exempt from paying council tax, to a total value of£114,173.91
  • 92 businesses directly affected by flooding will be exempt from paying business rates, to a total value of £416,022.11
  • paid out £72,000 in grants to businesses affected.

If residents or businesses would like support to talk through these options face-to-face, help is available at the council’s West Offices, Station Rise during offices hours.

Other financial support includes:
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Back to the future for English Heritage Clifford’s Tower visitor centre

Temple of Queen Hatshepsut - Colonnade 1458 BC

Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Valley of the Kings – 1458 BC

Temple of English Heritage Clifford's Tower visitor centre 2016 AD

Temple of English Heritage. Clifford’s Tower visitor centre 2016 AD

Presumably the proposed visitor centre at Clifford’s Tower is another idea from that part of English Heritage which, a few years ago, thought putting a flagpole on top of the tower – on which to fly their corporate logo – was a good idea!

What’s on in York: Stained glass apocalypse

Date: Wed 20 Jan
Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Venue: York Explore
Cost: £6, or £5 with a York Card

Stained GlassJoin Sarah Brown, Director of York Glaziers Trust, as she discusses the conservation work that has been taking place recently on York Minster’s amazing Great East Window.

Open to all.

Tickets can be purchased from any Explore York Library, by phoning 01904 552800, or from www.feelinginspired.co.uk 

What’s on in York: Sports club finance workshop

Date: Wed 20 Jan
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Venue: York Sports Club, Shipton Road
Cost: Free

Club Matters LogoIt is vital that everyone involved in running your club has a basic understanding of their club’s figures and knows enough to ask questions, get answers and make informed decisions using the information provided.  It is also in your club’s best interests that other members understand them as well.   

This workshop covers:

  • Understanding you club’s accounts
  • What makes up club’s accounts – the numbers and reports
  • Demystifying accounting concepts
  • What is cash flow and what does it mean to your club?
  • Budgeting – Why does it matter?
  • Creating a budget for your club, who should be involved.
  • Effectively communicating your club’s finances.

Please note: even though this workshop is free it is essential that you book onto the workshop due to limited spaces.

To book onto this workshop please click

For further details please contact Matthew Orme at matthew.orme@york.gov.uk or on 01904 551577.