Unemployment figures fall in York again

unemployed_queue_benefits_DWP

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed there to be 101,000 people in employment in York between October 2014 and September 2015, an increase of 1,600 compared to between July 2014 and June 2015.

The figure represents 75.3 per cent of the working population and contrasts the regional average which stands at 72.4 per cent and the national average which currently stands at 73.4 per cent.

The statistics also showed there are now 945 residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance and Universal Credit in York, a fall of 224 since December 2014 and of 65 claimants in the last month.

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 at City of York Council said: “I am pleased that the figures show a reduction in the number of claimants and that more people are in employment across the city. It’s been a tough few weeks for everyone in York and this week’s record visitor numbers and spend figures, announced by Make it York, are really positive to see. We will continue to work with partners across the city to help businesses and residents benefit from this and get back on their feet.”

New primary school “annex” proposed for Southbank

A new £6.2m annex to Scarcroft Primary School for 210 pupils aged 8-11 to be built on the Millthorpe School site, will be considered by City of York Council’s Executive on 28 January 2016.

Proposed Scarcroft school “annex” near Millthorpe school

A consistent rise in demand has led to the need to create additional primary school places in the Southbank area of the city. To future-proof provision against forecast demand over the next ten years and beyond, a new building is proposed to provide 210 additional pupil places.

Scarcroft Primary School currently admits 45 Reception pupils a year and the annex would provide places for up to 75. For the school year beginning 1 September 2017, additional pupil places could be temporarily accommodated within Scarcroft Primary until the additional spaces are created.

The new building proposed on Millthorpe School land will be sited in an area not currently used as play space.

If approved, the project is expected to be completed for 1 September 2018 and the cost will be met from central Government’s basic needs funding.

Other options considered for meeting the demand were:

(a) provide no additional places in the Southbank area

(b) build accommodation for 210 (1 form entry (fe) each year) additional places, as an annex to Scarcroft Primary on the Millthorpe School site

(c) build a 210 (1 form entry) place primary school on the former Terry’s Car Park site at Nun Ings

(d) build a 315 (1.5 form entry) place school on land behind The Grove and The Square off Tadcaster Road

(e) build a 630 (3 form entry) place school at either Bishopthorpe Infant or Archbishop of York CE Junior school sites

Executive will take place on Thursday 28 January at West Offices from 5.30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch live online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

NB. Some parents in the area are still embroiled in a battle over proposed “academy” status for local schools. A recent survey of views has apparently revealed that a majority of the parents, of children currently attending the schools, are opposed to the change.

Students, rubbish and recycling

A review of the way that students dispose of their rubbish in York has been published.

It is fair to say that the accumulation of piles of rubbish in areas with a high student population has been a cause of friction in the past. This usually peaks at the end of term when students move out.

Issues have included:

rubbish and recycling put out at the wrong time/day/place
waste not properly disposed of at the end of term/end of year
complaints from other residents about waste issues
low levels of recycling

rubbish-monk-bar-car-park It is likely that areas with a large student population may be targeted to increase recycling. A move from black sacks to the use of wheeled bins may also be considered.

In 2014 and 2015 dedicated end of year clear out programmes took place in both areas of student housing, co-ordinated by the Smarter York and NE officers. These involved the following activities:

Leaflets delivered to all affected student households in May detailing the options for recycling/reuse/disposal of waste
Extra rubbish and recycling collections organised on designated dates/times for both housing areas (in 2014 there were 4 extra dates, in 2015 there was one extra date)
Charity reuse banks sited in key locations and students encouraged to donate suitable items: Monk Bar Car Park corner of Kent Street and Barbican Road, corner of Garrow Hill Avenue, Jaipur Spice Car Park, Londis at Penleys Grove Street
Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) – students with student union cards are allowed take waste to Hazel Court using van/trailer without the need to apply for permits. Use will be monitored by staff at the HWRC to ensure that valid student union cards for the York learning establishments are only accepted and that the number of occasions each student uses the service is reasonable.

First post flood test for planning committee

The City’s planning committee will consider an application tomorrow (Thursday) for a site immediately adjacent to the River Foss in Layerthorpe

The is being asked to approve the construction of a 5 storey 128-bedroom hotel which will include a drive through restaurant at ground floor level.

If approved, the plan will also include the completion of the James Street/Heworth Green link road.

It is proposed to continue the river walkway along the Foss which has been established alongside recent development to the north.

The application is the first to be considered in Flood Zone 3 since the major flooding of the river Foss on 27^th December. No detailed appraisal is made of any revised flooding threat as a result of the problems experienced then (it is possible that the officer report was written before the flooding occurred).

Planning permission was given for a similar development in 2012 but the new application moves the buildings further away from the theoretical blast zone of the remaining gas holder.

The application is recommended for approval

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