Carlton Tavern – planning rerun recommendations published

Officials are recommending that permission be given for the Carlton Tavern pub to be demolished and replaced with a care home.

A planning committee meeting taking place on 13th December will vote again on the issue following threats of a legal challenge to a decision to approve the proposal taken at its October meeting.

At that time the committee chair had to use his casting vote to determine the application.

The officer report now clarifies their interpretation of national and European guidance.

Over 150 objections to the plan have been recorded.

York’s Register Office to temporarily close for refurbishment

 

York Register Office 56 Bootham, 

York’s Register Office will temporarily close early next year (7 January – 9 March) while the building undergoes a programme of refurbishment.

Residents will be able to register births, deaths and statutory marriage ceremonies at the council’s West Offices Headquarters during the temporary closure. Registrars will also be based at York Hospital and at the city’s children’s centres, making it easier to register deaths and births.

Wedding ceremonies will take place at York Mansion House or Bedern Hall during the closure period, while the monthly citizenship ceremonies will be held at the Mansion House.

The refurbishment will see the creation of a new ‘bride room’ where brides can chat to the registrar and prepare themselves for the ceremony; an improved reception area; a second, ground-floor ceremony room, and an additional interview room, which will enable the office to carry out more appointments.

Cllr Ann Reid, Interim Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, City of York Council, said: “We’re really excited about the programme of refurbishment, which will make the facilities at the Register Office even better for our customers and staff.
“We hope that the temporary relocation of registration services to West Offices, in addition to registrars being located at York Hospital and children’s centres, will ensure that we can continue to provide a first class service for York residents.”

Contact information for York Register Office will not change during the relocation. Call 01904 654477, or email registrar@york.gov.uk.

Emergency contact is also available from 10.00am to 11.00am on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays (not Christmas Day), should people need to contact the team about an emergency funeral for religious reasons; please telephone: 0778674859.

The Register Office will reopen on Saturday 10 March.

UBER York private hire license up for renewal

A meeting taking place on 12th December will determine whether to renew Ubers operating license in York.

Uber London recently lost a similar license  on the grounds that they are not a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold
a licence.

Over the last year the Authority has received 155 complaints relating to Uber vehicles/drivers. There were also 141 complaints about non Uber vehicles/drivers.

Uber driver complaints

A majority of the complaints about Uber related to matters such as alleged plying for hire,to many out of town vehicles operating in York, dangerous driving, smoking in vehicles and fares charged.

The majority of Uber drivers were from Bradford and Leeds.

Only 4 of the Uber complaints related to York registered vehicles/drivers

If the license application were refused, Uber drivers licensed in other local authority areas would still be able to operate in York.

Council officials say there is no obvious justification for not renewing the Uber York licence

 

What’s on in York – Book Launch: ‘The Nazi’s Daughter’ by Tim Murgatroyd

York Explore Library :

Thu 7 Dec :

6.30pm – 8.00pm :

Free

NaziTim will be talking about the real life wartime story of amazing heroism that inspired ‘The Nazi’s Daughter’, as well as the murky story of Dutch Nazis who collaborated with the Germans. He will also explain how Audrey Hepburn made it into the novel!

The Netherlands, Spring 1943. When her glittering career as a ballerina is cut short by a dancing injury, Elise Van Thooft-Noman, rebellious daughter of a powerful Dutch Nazi, flees to an isolated island off the coast of Holland. Here she meets Pieter Goedhart, reluctant village schoolmaster and Resistance fighter. A dangerous affair is kindled between them. Meanwhile Elise’s Nazi family and the terrifying brutality of war are closing in, threatening to destroy all she holds dear . . .

New York, September 2008. Uncomfortably overweight, single and scraping thirty, Jenni Malarkey is summoned to a mysterious party to celebrate her estranged grandmother’s glamorous life. Her journey through Elise’s secret history will force her to confront a legacy of guilt and shame . .

Past and present intersect, as unlikely hearts connect to seek love and redemption, in this haunting time-shift novel set in wartime Holland and contemporary New York.

Tim Murgatroyd was brought up in Yorkshire. He read English at Hertford College, Oxford University, and now lives with his family in York. His first novel, ‘Taming Poison Dragons‘ set in 12th Century China, has been described as ‘a captivatingly original and unforgettable story of tragedy and enduring love’. The sequels, ‘Breaking Bamboo‘, and ‘The Mandate of Heaven‘ have now been translated into Chinese by the prestigious Shanghai Literature and Arts publishing house.

Tim’s latest novel, ‘The Nazi’s Daughter’, is a haunting time-shift novel set in World War 2 and contemporary New York.

Tim has also published three e-booklets of poetry in a series called ‘Poems for Mobiles’: ‘Lullaby’, ‘Drunk’ and ‘The Stars are Apples’.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase on the night with complimentary drink, cash only.

To book tickets please click here.