Safe Place Scheme for York

Plans to create a Safe Place Scheme for disabled people, including people with mental health issues are taking shape.

The nationally recognised Safe Place Scheme gives people a short term ‘Safe Place’ to go if they are feeling threatened when out and about in their local area.

It enables public spaces (such as shops, cafés and libraries) to be designated as safe and supportive places where disabled people can go if they are having difficulty, feel lost or frightened.

York Independent Living Network (YILN) – a local disabled people-led organisation – has received funding from the City of York Council to set up a steering group with representation from community organisations and local authorities to take the scheme forward in York.

The steering group will develop resources for the Safe Place Scheme, recruit venues to become Safe Places and make recommendations to the council and the police to help maintain the Safe Place Scheme.
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Benefit advice sessions move to Acomb Explore Library

The York Council has announced that residents will be able to receive benefits advice and support at Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre from Monday 6 June.
Cllr Sue Hunter, Cllr Sheena Jackson and Cllr Andrew Waller outside the Acomb Explore Library

Cllr Sue Hunter, Cllr Sheena Jackson and Cllr Andrew Waller outside the Acomb Explore Library

The benefits advice service is moving from the Gateway Centre to Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre on Monday 6 June as part of work to make it easier for residents to access benefits advice.

The Council in 2010 announced plans to make the library a local information and advice hub but the idea was shelved by the Labour controlled Council when it closed the Acomb Housing Office in 2012.

Still it goes to show that good ideas will always rise to the surface.

Residents will be able to drop-in at the weekly sessions between 9am and 3pm (closed between 12.30pm and 1pm) where a trained adviser will be on hand to support residents.

In addition to the weekly sessions, all Explore Library Learning Centre staff will be trained to help residents access welfare benefits information in the coming months. This change means residents will be able to access support and signposting to the best available services from trained staff whilst also continuing to access the internet for free in Explores across the city.

In a media release the Council also says that “the changes come ahead of the upcoming launch of a new online Customer Relationship Management system and personal council accounts for residents ‘My Account’, a smart and responsive online service which will enable residents to access council services anytime anywhere. The system will also provide webchat meaning residents across the city will have access to more advice and support online on a range of areas, including benefits”.

The much promised electronic “My Account” system has been “launched” on 4 separate occasions over the last two years. We think that the Council would be wise to finish refining and testing the new system before becoming too bullish about it in public statements.
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Graffiti presents poor image of York

Graffiti at entrance to Fossgate car park

Graffiti at entrance to Fossbank car park

Graffiti at entrance to York - Selby cycle track

Graffiti at entrance to York – Selby cycle track

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graffiti is unfortunately the first thing that some visitors to our City see. The entrances to the Fossbank shoppers car park are particular blackspots.

We think that – as well as getting the graffiti cleaned off quickly – the authorities should install cameras aimed at identifying and prosecuting  those who are disfiguring the City

Meanwhile signs (below) are still displayed in Goodramgate giving directions to the Tour de France start.

This event concluded over 2 years ago and the signs add little to the streetscape in what is a Conservation Area.

Commemorative plaque or just forgot to take the sign down?

Commemorative plaque or just forgot to take the sign down?

First announce changes to York bus services

Services 1, 4, 5/5a, 10/10a & X10 affected

old busService 1 – revised timetable
Chapelfields – City Centre – Wigginton
The Sunday afternoon timetable will be revised to provide more even gaps between buses.
An additional Saturday morning journey will be introduced from Wigginton.
An additional journey will be introduced at 2320 from Wigginton to the City Centre.

Service 4 – revised timetable
Acomb – Foxwood Lane – City Centre
Minor timetable changes, with more time allowed between Clifford Street and Station Road, to improve reliability.

Services 5/5A – revised timetable
Strensall – City Centre – Acomb
A revised timetable will be introduced, with some journeys adjusted to run slightly faster, such as the 0655 from Strensall.

An additional Monday to Friday morning peak journey will be introduced from Strensall to the City Centre.

Services 10/10A – revised timetable
Nether Poppleton – City Centre – Stamford Bridge
A revised timetable will be introduced, with improvements to the afternoon peak frequency.

Some duplicated evening journeys will be withdrawn.

Departure times from Piccadilly stop PA will be adjusted to remove clashes with other services.

A slight adjustment will be made to the morning journey past Manor School, to improve arrivals in relation to session times.

Service X10 – service withdrawn
Dunnington – City Centre – Askham Bar
We’re withdrawing this service so the resource can be reinvested to provide more services during peak times.

Revised timetables are available Forthcoming Timetables (click)

 

Trees blight Foxwood properties

Overgrown trees prompt security fears

Overgrown trees prompt security fears

Several trees in the Burgess Walk area of Foxwood have grown so large that they are contributing to a security problem. The trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) which were imposed when the estate was built over 30 years ago. At that time the trees – which had formed part of the boundary of a farmers field – were modest in size. Their conservation was viewed as one way of avoiding the bleak and windswept look that many new developments have until new planting establishes itself.

However the trees have continued to grow and now block out both sunlight and the illumination offered by street lamps. The access footpath is therefore unnaturally dark prompting security fears. Parts of the trees regularly drop off – adding to the list of residents concerns.

Some trees are overgrowing the highway and pose a threat for high sided vehicles

Some trees are overgrowing the highway and pose a threat for high sided vehicles

The matter has been discussed by the Foxwood Residents Association who have asked officials to consider  taking action to have the TPOs lifted. This would permit the trees to be lopped or even felled and replaced by a species more appropriate for small sub-urban gardens.

There is a broader issue.

The Council is largely reactive in dealing with problems caused by overgrown trees and bushes. We believe that local wards should have a delegated budget which they can use to manage the stock of trees and bushes in an area. The budget could be used to remove or cut back vegetation which is blocking paths and amenity areas.

It could also be used to ensure that an annual tree planting programme is sustained.

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Elsewhere the trial wildflower bed established on Huntsmans Walk (below) as now been moved to a more rural location. The island has been turfed.

Huntsmans Walk grassed area restored