New pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting station to city centre given the green light

The design for a wider shared-use pedestrian and cycle bridge at Scarborough Bridge was unanimously endorsed by the council’s Planning Sub-Committee yesterday.

The new bridge will be nearly three times as wide, while the ramps at either end will mean cyclists, wheelchair users and people pushing prams will be able to use the bridge with ease.  New steps connecting the ends of the bridge with the riverside paths are also to be built.

The decision means the new bridge is on track to be constructed and in use by March 2019, with its estimated £4.5m cost coming from the council; the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s CityConnect Programme; and the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership.

New licensing rules for houses in multiple occupation

 

New national licensing conditions for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are being brought into effect which could improve the quality of accommodation provided in York.

A council motion on 26 October 2017 requested a review of evidence supporting the case for extended licensing. A report being put to senior councillors on 15 March, outlines the government’s recommendations and asks if there is a case to extend licensing locally through an additional, discretionary HMO licensing scheme.

The government’s changes relate to a national scheme which, subject to parliamentary approval, proposes to:

  • extend mandatory licensing to all HMOs – other than those converted pre 1991 and flats in larger, purpose-built blocks – that are occupied by five or more persons in two or more separate households
  • Introduce mandatory conditions for the minimum sleeping room sizes and maximum number of occupants in all licensed HMOs
  • Introduce a mandatory condition to provide refuse storage facilities.

Details of the scheme will be announced before it becomes law on 1 October 2018. Then, evidence on the legislation’s impact will be assessed to consider the need for an enhanced, local scheme.”

 

York’s Register Office re-opens after refurbishment

York Register Office 56 Bootham, York YO30 7DA

York’s Register Office at 56 Bootham – will re-open for weddings on Saturday (10 March) following a refurbishment of the Grade II listed Georgian building.

The £130,000 scheme has seen the creation of the new ‘Ebor room’ where wedding parties can chat to the registrar and prepare themselves for the ceremony; an improved reception area; the relocation of the upstairs ceremony room to the ground floor making it more easily accessible, and an additional interview room, which will enable the office to carry out more appointments.

In addition to the refurbishment, registrars have been working on a digitisation project which means that customers will soon be able to book appointments with a registrar, make payments and order copy certificates online 24/7 for the first time via www.york.gov.uk, making it even quicker and easier.

Amanda Sykes, Registration Services Manager, City of York Council, said: “I’d like to thank all our customers and staff for their patience while the refurbishment was going on. We’re delighted with the new-look office and hope it will really improve facilities for our customers.”

Ann Reid

Councillor Ann Reid, Interim Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, City of York Council, said: “The Register Office is a key civic building in the city and I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to improve the facilities, whilst keeping the unique look and feel of the historic building.”

Contact information for York Register Office is unchanged: call 01904 654477 or email registrar@york.gov.uk.

During the week commencing 12 March, some appointments will still take place at West Offices – customers are advised to double check when they make their appointment whether it will be at Bootham or West Offices. All ceremonies will be held at Bootham from 10 March