National data shows York workers’ wages up 13% in the last year

Figures out today (29 October) report a 13% increase in average weekly earnings for York workers* over the last year, according to government data.

The national government Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) – the most accurate way of estimating pay – showed that the average weekly earnings for York residents also rose from £512.60 in 2018 to £574. 60; an increase of 12%.

The wage increase in York compares favourably to other areas across the UK, with pay across the country increasing by 2.8%; a 1.9% increase for Leeds residents and an increase of 3.5% across the Leeds City Region.

The figures correct the impression of a significant dip last year.

We pointed out in March that this figure was probably wrong and so it has proved to be.

Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning, City of York Council, said:

“These figures are welcome news for the city, though like any statistics they only show part of the picture. Looking at the data over the last five years shows, since 2015, a 16 % increase in the wages of both residents and people working in York.

This is good news for everyone in the city and shows the inherent strength of York’s economy”.



*York workers are people working in the city, not necessarily those who live in the city (York residents)

York’s Local Plan – public hearings to take place from December

A framework to guide and promote development, and to protect the quality of city’s unique historic, natural and built environment will take a step forward from December.

Appointed planning inspectors will undertake an independent examination of York’s Local Plan, which will commence with initial hearing sessions at York Racecourse, from Tuesday 10 December from 10am.

More information about the hearings including a detailed timetable for the sessions is available to view at: www.york.gov.uk/localplanexamination

The Local Plan sets strategic priorities for the whole city and forms the basis for planning decisions; it must be reviewed at regular intervals to be kept up to date. 

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of the Council, said: “The draft Local Plan is one of the most significant strategic documents for our city, as it will determine how York develops over the next 20 years.

“We have been working hard to progress York’s Local Plan and I welcome these public hearings in taking this next step towards adopting a Local Plan for York.

“We remain determined to secure a Local Plan for York that delivers more homes and economic space, whilst protecting the unique character of the city.”

A number of informal debates (hearing sessions) will take place on the principal matters identified by the inspectors.

The initial hearing sessions will cover key matters such as legal compliance, housing need and the York Green Belt.

Participants will be on an invitation basis only, but the hearings themselves are open to members of the public to attend.

The inspectors will take into account the comments submitted to-date, as far as they relate to soundness considerations such as whether the plan is justified, effective and consistent with national policy.

Following the closure of the hearings, the inspectors will prepare a report to the council with precise recommendations, these recommendations may include modifications to the plan.

All other aspects of the plan will be examined by the inspectors during the subsequent hearing sessions, which could take place early next year.

All correspondence with the planning inspectors is available to view at: www.york.gov.uk/localplanexamination

Issues reported to York Council

While there has been some improvement in some local public services this week, we’re still finding, and reporting, a lot of local issues that require attention

ridge dumped at entrance to farmers field
A lot of local snickets like this one on Cornlands Road require more regular sweeping. Several now need to be resurfaced.
More Graffiti
…..and we’ve reported full litter bins on Beagle Ridge Drive and Acomb car park

Bus shelter clean up welcomed

We reported last week that several of the Council owned bus shelters in west York were looking shabby. Some were overgrown with weeds and undergrowth.

We are pleased to report that, following our highlighting the issue to the York Council , some of the shelters have been tidied up. Undergrowth has been cut back from the shelters making them much more user friendly.

However the work undertaken has also served to emphasise how much these shelters need a coat of paint and other refurbishment.

Many are now rusting quite badly.

Foxwood Lane shelter. No longer an Arboretum
Shelter near Otterwood Lane as tidied up
Askham Lane bus shelter, although very rusty, is now free of undergrowth

We were also pleased to see for the first time for some time today that the Cornlands Park was largely free of litter.

There seems to be a slow improvement in some public service standards in the City following a disappointing summer.

Cornlands park

Police move to fill vacancies

Graduates, non-graduates, ‘career movers’ and ‘career starters’ – North Yorkshire Police announces latest drive for police officers

North Yorkshire Police has announced its latest recruitment drive for police officers as it reaches out to graduates, non-graduates, career movers and career starters to apply.

The latest campaign, which is live until 9am on 25 November, comes hot on the heels of a campaign to recruit more PCSOs. 

As announced by the force last month, there are now three new entry routes for new police recruits to get into policing. They are:

  • Apprenticeship: A three-year Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) leading to a nationally recognised BSc (Hons) in Professional Policing Practice. New recruits will be employed by North Yorkshire Police and spend 80% of their time serving and protecting the community while ‘learning on the job’ and 20% of their work time studying towards their qualification through The Open University’s world-leading flexible distance learning programme.
  • Degree-holder entry programme (DHEP): A two-year accelerated route for those entering with a degree in any subject, enabling recruits employed by North Yorkshire Police to train as a police constable and gain a Graduate Diploma in Policing through The Open University at the same time.
  • Pre-join degree: For those who want to get a degree before they join, new recruits can then apply to the force as their degree is coming to an end and then complete a considerably reduced initial training route with their new police employer in recognition of their policing degree.

Deputy Chief Constable Phil Cain of North Yorkshire Police is keen for this recruitment campaign to reach out to all parts of the community in North Yorkshire.  She said:

“It is an exciting time to join policing and becoming a police officer really will give you some of the best and proudest days of your life. Whether you are a graduate or non-graduate, just starting out in your career or are a more experienced and mature individual looking for your next challenge there are various ways to join us, depending on your work, life and educational experience .

“The three new entry routes, and our recently announced collaboration with The Open University, signifies an exciting change in the way our officers are trained and developed throughout their careers – gaining a degree and learning and earning on the job at the same time.

“We’re also continuing to work hard on increasing diversity in our recruitment to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities that we serve. The last couple of recruitment drives has seen us attract the most diverse group of trainees that North Yorkshire has ever had and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made to date.

You can apply to join North Yorkshire Police as a police officer at northyorkshire.police.uk/policeofficer. Applications close at 9am on Monday 25 November.

The Positive Action team can be contacted on positiveaction@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Appeal following fail to stop road traffic collision on Alness Drive on Sunday

Police are appealing for witnesses and information about a fail to stop road traffic collision in York on Sunday 27 October.

Appeal following fail to stop road traffic collision

It happened on Alness Drive at around 8.30am and involved a BMW and another car which failed to stop at the scene.

The owner of the BMW, a woman in her late 60s, was placing her grandchild into the rear seat of her car when the offending vehicle collided with her open rear door, pinning her between the door and body of her vehicle.

The offending vehicle, described as silver or gre and possibly the size of a small MPV, failed to stop and made off towards Moor Lane.

As a result of the collision, the woman suffered broken ribs, a broken collar bone, a fractured knee cap and a potentially broken leg. She was taken by ambulance to York Hospital where she is still receiving treatment.

We are appealing for witnesses to the collision, or anyone who recalls seeing either of the vehicles prior to the collision, to get in touch as soon as possible to assist the investigation.

In particular, we are appealing for information about the offending vehicle and its current location. This vehicle is likely to have damage to its nearside front end.

If you can help, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Phillip Kennedy. You can also email philip.kennedy@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

What’s on in York: Barking Mad: Gavin Baddeley on Lycanthropy for Fun and Profit

York Explore

October 31st

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Cost:£5

Tickets

What would happen to somebody who binged some 200 werewolf movies in a few short months? Find out as Gavin Baddeley talks about writing The FrightFest Guide to Werewolf Movies.

In the name of medical science – and because he’d been asked to write a book about cinematic shapeshifters – local author Gavin Baddeley binge-watched 200 werewolf movies in a few short months. The first thing he discovered was that while lazy filmmakers just squirted some ketchup on their mates and made another zombie snoozefest, or invested in some plastic fangs in order to shoot another cheesy vampire turkey, it takes a special kind of crazy to decide to make a low budget werewolf movie. But Gavin prefers crazy to lazy, so allow him to take you on a lurid tour of cinema’s weirdest bouts of full moon lunacy, from Jackalman perverts and Nazi wolfmen, to lycanthropic nuns and werewolf Man United fans.