Lowfields trench digging mystery explained

A JCB has been digging up part of the Lowfields playing field this week.

Anxious residents – who are keen to see the playing fields retained – have been told that this is work being undertaken by the York Archaeological Trust.

An official has contacted local Councillor Andrew Waller to say,

“As you are aware as part of the planning application we are required to undertake a number of site surveys in support of the planning application that we wish to make to develop the site. The trench work that is currently being undertaken are follow up works to an earlier geophysical survey that was undertaken in June 2017 in support of the planning application.

York Archaeological Trust (YAT) have been commissioned to undertake an archaeological evaluation of the site, which as you are aware is common practice in York. The Trust will be on the site until Monday 4th September 2017.

On completion of the investigative works, YAT will back fill the trenches with the stockpiled top & sub soil removed during the excavation & compact the earth”.

Festival of Cycling set to return to Rowntree Park

City of York Council is reminding people to get into gear for the Festival of Cycling when it returns to Rowntree Park on Sunday 3 September from 10am-4pm.

The festival is a renowned free event, with bikes of all shapes and sizes available for people to try out. Bikes on offer include tricycles, adapted bikes and tandems.

Cycle trainers will also be teaching young people how to cycle with a fleet of balance bikes on hand to get a new generation of cyclists on the road.
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Contractor appointed for £9m Guildhall transformation

City of York Council has appointed Interserve to carry out the £9m transformation of the iconic Guildhall into a world-class civic and business venue.

Under the current plan Council officials will attempt to directly manage the taxpayer funded facility with £12.4 million at risk.  Much of the work is being funded by borrowing. At best, the business plan would see a minimal forecast surplus of  £1000 a year on the investment.  This would be after covering interest charges on the planned £8.7 million of extra  borrowing needed to fund the project.

Earlier in the year the Council announced that it had failed to find either public or private sector partners willing to share the financial risks on the project.

Today the Council says, “Interserve demonstrated that it has the expertise to deliver a high quality and best value remodelling of the listed building complex during a highly competitive tendering process. The construction company has worked on other significant listed buildings including Kirkgate Market in Leeds, Durham Castle and the former Co-op store in Newcastle”.

The council’s Executive approved plans to redevelop the Guildhall complex in March 2017. The redevelopment will “make the most” of the listed buildings, allowing riverside access to the complex which will host public and civic events, a restaurant and state-of-the-art business centre.

Interserve’s bid showed strong proposals for creating  the river access, and that the company understood how to overcome the significant challenges of carrying out construction on the site.

The appointment means that work should begin in January 2018, after contracts are signed and exploratory works are completed.

City of York Council’s Full Council meetings will be hosted at The Citadel, the former home of York’s Salvation Army now owned by York City Church, during the construction period.

Free office furniture and supplies on offer to York charities

Charities and voluntary organisations in York are being offered the chance to bag free furniture and office supplies.

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The items are surplus to requirement because of the closure of the Castlegate building in the city centre.

It used to be the home of the council’s young people’s support and advice team, but staff have moved to a new base at 30 Clarence Street.

Desks, chairs, bookshelves, metal display boards, waste bins and rugs are all available being offered to a new home as well as small items such as monitor risers, pen pots and leaflet holders.

A special ‘open house’ event has been arranged at the Castlegate building from 1pm to 2.30pm on Tuesday 29 August, for interested charities to view what is available.

It is the responsibility of the charity to arrange collection of items with Katie Williams-Harris who will be onsite at the open house on the day. The items are intended for offices of a charitable organisations.  They are not intended for personal use at home.