After many representations by residents, supported by local Councillors, the little Green Lane garage area forecourt and access road has been resurfaced.
The area now looks quite tidy, although it will be important to ensure that there is no more fly tipping and that undergrowth is cut back from the boundaries.
Before access road
Before
after forecourt
After parking area
After access road
Neglected garage areas become a magnet for fly tipping and often become overgrown with weeds and bushes
Liberal Democrat Councillors successfully proposed, at least nights budget committee meeting, that funding for the garden maintenance scheme be restored.
A Tory Councillor – who subsequently resigned from his executive position – had proposed a £46,000 cut in the budget for the service.
It meant that nearly 100 elderly and disable residents – who are physically unable to tend their gardens – would have lost Council assistance.
Now the cut has been restored.
The funding will come from the Housing Revenue Account the income for which comes from Council tenants rents.
The housing account is expected to have a £6 million surplus during the next financial year.
Elsewhere in the Councils investment capital) budget, now includes a provision for improvements to Council garage areas.
Many garage sites need to have their forecourts resurfaced, boundary fences repaired and undergrowth removed.
Later this year, a Council report regarding the impact of Universal Credit and it’s rollout in York will be presented to the Executive Member for Adult Social Care. As part of this, the Liberal Democrats would like to hear from residents about their experiences of accessing Universal Credit.
The report, due to be presented on the 14th June 2018, will be given to Cllr Carol Runciman to consider as part of her responsibilities to review financial inclusion in York.
Given the controversial nature of Universal Credit and the difficulties some residents have had using the service; the Liberal Democrats are keen to ensure residents in York have their experiences included as part of the report, so it is truly reflective of the current situation.
If a resident would like to share their experience of Universal Credit in York, then please do contact Cllr Carol Runciman at cllr.crunciman@york.gov.uk to make sure your observations are included.
Cllr Carol Runciman, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:
“The rollout of Universal Credit has caused a great deal of stress for many residents across the City.”
“It is absolutely vital that the Council considers the impact of Universal Credit in York and listens to the experiences of residents using the system.”
“I would strongly encourage anyone who accesses Universal Credit to share with their experiences me and ensure that their voices are included as part of this report.”
The Tory government is repealing the free school meal legislation introduced by the last coalition government.
New regulations published this week indicate that a child will only receive a free mid day meal if his or her parents are in receipt of Universal Credit and earn less that £617 a month.
The new rules come into effect on 1st April 2018
Several families in York are expected to be hit hard by the new cut.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/148/pdfs/uksi_20180148_en.pdf
The Council is asking local residents, businesses and community groups to become ‘litter heroes’ by getting behind York’s annual spring clean event next month, on or around the weekend of 2-4 March.
Part of the Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘Great British Spring Clean’, the event seeks to inspire people to roll up their sleeves and get involved in community litter picks and ‘tidy-ups’ in wards across the city.
Over the course of the weekend, the council will be on hand to lend support to residents in several ways, including collecting extra waste that is in bags printed with a large ‘V’ for volunteer from pre-planned spring clean events and providing equipment to help make jobs quicker and easier.
Cllr Andrew Waller, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for the Environment, said: “The annual spring clean provides a great opportunity for residents, voluntary groups and businesses across York to come together and make a real difference to how our city looks.
“We know that the vast majority of York residents take a real pride in their local area and want to support the work of the council to keep it litter free. If people work together as ‘litter heroes’ we can achieve a huge amount over the weekend and support the work by the council and the Business Improvement District.”
Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of the York BID, said: “The York BID has a remit to work with stakeholders and improve the appearance and environment of York city centre. We all know how important it is to keep the city clean for the businesses who operate here, the residents who call it home, and the millions of visitors we host every year.
“The York BID are happy to support and endorse the Great British Spring Clean on behalf of the businesses we represent. By providing two operatives every day of the week to enhance the work of the council, we are proud to be part of a wider team that aims to keep York as clean and attractive as possible.”
To get involved, to request help, or to register your event with the council email environmentandcommunity@york.gov.uk. For more information visit www.york.gov.uk/environmentandcommunity call 01904 551551 or follow @cityofyork on Twitter.
