Licensing application says 20,000 may turn up for York Music Festival on Shipton Road

The organisers of the York Music Festival scheduled to take place on the York Sports Club Fields on the weekend of 19th – 21st June have applied for a premises licence.

It will be considered by the York Council at a meeting being held on 27th February.

Live Nation Music say that the event, which features artists like Madness, Westlife and Lionel Richie may attract as many as 20,000 customers.

They application includes details of the event management plan and can be viewed on the Councils web site by clicking here

The Councils public protection department are recommending several conditions aimed at reducing the risk of noise nuisance click

They say, “the agreed Noise Management Plan must contain a requirement that the Music Noise Level expressed as an LAeq shall not exceed 65dB(A) over a 15 minute period as measured at the nearest noise sensitive premises”.

Objections to the application have been registered by residents living in Galtres Grove. Several other residents have also objected. They include comments by a local Parish Council

Apart from noise, most concerns are likely to relate to traffic issues and the ability of the police and organisers to control the behaviour of those attending.

One objector asked for “no concluding fireworks display” in deference to the sensitivities of his dog!

Flood defences to remain in place as more rain forecast

Clean up operation start across the city

City of York Council’s clean-up operation will start from today, but flood defences are staying firmly in place to continue protecting the city as heavy rain is expected this weekend.

The council continues to work closely with the York and North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which includes police and fire services as well as North Yorkshire County Council, Met Office and Environment Agency.

The latest advice from the Environment Agency is that the River Ouse is currently falling (slowly) so York is very much open for business.

With the expectation some warnings may be taken off, these may come back into force throughout the weekend with heavy rain expected. View the latest river level predictions and warnings here

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said: “As our clean-up operation starts, you’ll see our front line teams sweeping and cleaning paths and cycle routes across the city from today. We’ll also be carrying out additional inspections of our roads to repair potholes.

“York remains vibrant and exciting as usual, offering lots of activities and events for residents and visitors over this half-term.

“We will be visiting hundreds of residents in flood-risk areas again over the rest of the week tomorrow and Thursday, to assess their needs and give the latest advice and information.

“Thank you again to all residents for your patience and support as the city deals with storms on consecutive weekends. My thanks also go to our staff and partners for their fantastic work, which has gone above and beyond required duties.”

“Please keep an eye out for the latest information and alerts from the Environment Agency for updates on river levels in the city.”

The Environment Agency river forecasters will continue to monitor the situation 24/7 and provide further updates.

As of Wednesday 19 February, the council has:

  • Having cleared over 300 gullies, swept roads and cleared drains, we also have tankers on standby for any surface water flooding incidents that occur.
  • Teams will now start to carry out the clean-up operation of sweeping and cleaning paths and cycle routes across the city (and river routes when water levels fall).
  • Hand delivered letters to properties considered to be at risk from flooding, offering up to date information and advice. This will include homes around Tower Gardens, Fishergate, Fulford and Naburn along the north bank of the River Ouse, and homes in Clementhorpe, Bishopthorpe and Acaster Malbis on the south bank.
  • Reopened Millennium Bridge
  • Reopened Esplanade car park
  • Carrying out additional inspections of the highway and preparing to repair pothole, caused by flood water.
  • Staff defences 24/7 with reinforcements including 11 pumps and extra sandbags available for Peckitt Street, Tower Gardens, Clementhorpe and the A19 at Germany Beck
  • Regularly updated the www.york.gov.uk/flood page to share the latest updates and advice.
  • Speaking to communities at risk and reiterating our commitment to protect them and offer advice.

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Post storm public service issues

River levels are rapidly returning to normal levels now with streets like Skeldergate reopening to traffic.

It will be several hours before the riverside paths are open and cleared of debris

Attention will now turn to how to restore other public services to an acceptable standard

  • Potholes have got worse during the recent weather. They are likely to be even worse in flooded streets
  • The high winds have cased problems with litter drift
  • Dumping at pumping station
  • The condition of several trees is a source of concern. Many need maintenance work
  • Many areas will remain waterlogged for several weeks
  • Request made for cycle path markings to be repainted
  • Time for BT to remove this kiosk (phone no longer working)
  • Speedy work by the Council in planting 3 additional trees on Acomb Wood Drive

More on end to garden care help scheme of vulnerable

Following on from yesterday’s revelation that the Council is abandoning its garden care scheme for vulnerable tenants, a Councillor has claimed that contractors were charging “£80” to cut a lawn.

Apparently it was this that led to the announcement that the most disabled tenants would instead be offered £200 as compensation for the loss of the service.

Letter to tenants circulated to Councillors yesterday

Lawns are cut 10 times a year so how far the £200 will go remains to be seen. In addition hedges are normally trimmed on three occasions.

No financial figures have been released by the Council and no equalities impact assessment has been published

It appears that options like tendering for the service in smaller packages (to minimise unnecessary travel) have not been considered nor has the employment of Council staff to undertake the work. (there are numerous other jobs that such staff could usefully do in the winter period).

The Councillor responsible for housing+ (Denise Craghill) has now tweeted “Nobody who needs support will be left without it. Contract was a hugely inefficient use of public money. Budget still same to improve support for tenants to enjoy their gardens. Everyone is being visited. Those conversations will feed into a decision session in April”.

This doesn’t explain how letters came to be sent to tenants ahead of any decision being taken.

Cllr Nigel Ayre claims on “twitter” that the “communications issue is unfortunate but errors happen “.

Copies of the draft letters to affected tenants (copied to Councillors yesterday) can be downloaded from these links

Ineligible for help

Eligible for £200 grant

We think that the Council should abandon its planned changes for this year.

They should undertake a full and informed consultation on the future of the service and then implement any changes during the 2021/22 financial year.