York Flood update – Environment Agency announces dates of meetings with victims

flooding in YorkThe Environment Agency has announced a series of drop-in meetings in York for next month to help people learn more about flooding.

Rather than hosting a large, public meeting, the idea is that smaller, “one-on-one” sessions will allow people to ask bespoke questions about how the city manages rising waters.

Experts will be on hand to answer ANY questions, including why the controversial decision was taken to raise the Foss Barrier during the Boxing Day floods.

Details of meetings:

  • 2nd February, 3 to 8 PM at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NX.
  • 4th February, 3 to 6:30 PM at New Earswick Folk Hall, Hawthorn Terrace, York, YO32 4AQ
  • 8th February, 3 to 7:30 PM at St Aelred’s Community Centre, 216 Fifth Ave, York, YO31 0PN.
  • 9th February, 3 to 8 PM at National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York, YO1 9TL.
  • 10th February, 3 to 8 PM at York Saint John University, Lord Mayor’s Walk, York, YO31 7EX.
We can only hope that the Agency has learned a few communications lessons.
They should invite written questions and make sure that the answers are published “on line” before any meetings take place.
Time at the meetings can then be concentrated on dealing with follow up questions and matters of outstanding concern.

York Council indecision on new Chief Executive?

IndecisionYork seems likely to be without a permanent replacement for its Chief Executive for at least another 6 months.

Papers published for a meeting taking place on 1st February reveal that a review of the Council’s management structure, commissioned last June, has apparently still not been concluded.

The report blames ongoing financial pressures for the delays, although the Chief Executives post  has been filled on a temporary basis (at full salary) for over 6 months.

It now appears that the report on a new structure may now be available in March. A £150,000 a year saving on salary costs is being achieved from 1st April by deleting a post dealing with “transformation and change”

Staff working in the Chief Executives Department are being transferred to other management groups suggesting that the Council may be thinking of abolishing the role of Chief Executive altogether.  

The Council will, however, now move to appoint a permanent Director of Public Health on a salary of around £100,000. 

The Council will also make a permanent appointment to the post of “City and Environmental Services”. Essentially this is the role formerly held by Bill Woolley who retired over three years ago. It is responsible for planning and transport policy.  The post will also attract a pay level of around £100,000 pa. The Council says that to minimise recruitment costs this post will be “advertised externally on City of York Council Jobs Website and promoted through the Council social media channels”.  Minimal advertising of vacancies is usually a tactic that a Council adopts when it has “someone in mind” for the post.

Recent events – including the Councils response to the flooding crisis – suggest that there is a lack of effective leadership in the authority.  Taking over 12 months to find a permanent appointment for the post which is responsible for driving the administrative side of the Council is, at best, complacent and at worst negligent.

The York Council is now desperately short of experienced management capacity.

Councillors need to act quickly and decisively to fill the void.

What’s on: Walk from Explore library

City walks
  • Snickelways Walk January 2016Sun 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