York backs national homelessness campaign

City of York Council is supporting national Homelessness Awareness Week (30 November to 8 December 2016) to highlight the support and advice available to people to help them into secure homes.

This annual week of social, educational and awareness-raising events across the country, aims to highlight homelessness and the continued efforts of organisations and staff to support people at risk of homelessness or who are homeless.

Here in York, a multi-agency partnership continues to call for people to support the city’s homeless charities who tirelessly support people off the street all year round. The partnership asks people not to give direct to anyone on the streets but to please donate direct to the expert charities.

For the campaign, an easy and safe way of giving to local homeless charities is being promoted and people who wish to help are asked to give £3 by texting ‘York33£3’ to ‘70070’.
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New contractor for historic Mansion House project confirmed

Mansion House Sept 2016

William Birch & Sons Ltd, York-based construction, refurbishment and restoration contractor, have been appointed to continue work on the York Mansion House’s historic restoration project.

External works have been taking place over the autumn including repairing the chimney stacks and removing old paint from the external stonework.

William Birch & Sons Ltd will be the company completing remaining internal works in the Mansion House and moving the Opening Doors project on. The business started life in York, building and restoring many of the city’s high profile properties that we all know today, including the York Minster Library, Fairfax House, Kings Manor, York Theatre Royal and the York Explore Library.

The family owned construction company have a historic connection with the Mansion House with both William Henry Birch (1921) and Jack Birch (1975) holding the position of Lord Mayor of York.

Last year the Mansion House received a grant of £1,198,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), as well as fundin g from City of York Council and donations to the restoration fund so the historic building can be restored. The ‘Opening Doors’ project, is the biggest investment in the Mansion House since it was built in the eighteenth century.
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Which school in York?

All admissions authorities in the City of York area are consulting parents and carers on new policies and the number of places available for the school year starting in September 2018.

The consultation includes all admissions policies for church schools, academies and local authority maintained schools, and includes the planned number of places available at each school in the year of entry to primary, junior, secondary schools and sixth forms. The views of parents, carers, schools as well as governors, teachers and other interested parties are being sought before the closing date of 16 December 2016.

The fairness and accessibility of information available, application processes, planned admission numbers, admission policies and oversubscription criteria are all currently being consulted on. All comments from participants will be forwarded to the relevant admissions authority for their consideration before the arrangements are agreed.
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