New Covid-19 (coronavirus) case in York

It is understood that this case came about as a result of travel to northern Italy.

The individual “followed all necessary health advice and has been in self-isolation at home” and the authorities say “here is a very low risk of the virus having been transferred to anyone in York”.

The Council expects that more confirmed cases in York over the next weeks and months as the virus spreads across the country.

“The council and our partners have well established plans in place and are working closely together to ensure that we are best placed to respond to local issues as they arise”.

No details of which neighbourhood the victim lives in have been released.

Big pothole on A64 near North Lane junction reported

It isn’t just the York Council that is struggling to keep on top of the pothole problem. A large pothole has opened up on the eastbound carriageway of the A64 trunk road near its junction with North Lane.

This has been reported to the Highways Agency via the useful “Fix My Street” web site https://www.fixmystreet.com/

Meanwhile we have been able to report some other issues via local Councillors

  • Missing play equipment on Chesney’s Field
  • Damaged fencing in the same area

Guildhall refurbishment runs into difficulties

A report to a meeting taking place next week highlights several issues which could delay the refurbishment of the Guildhall.

The Guildhall project has a chequered history with plans for the use of the building conceived 10 years ago beset by delays, indecision and escalating costs. Even after the Council made the controversial (and expensive) decision to re purpose the use of the Listed building as a “business club” & restaurant, the first building contract had to be abandoned.

More recently, new contractors have been working on site. They have been using the river for access. Perhaps not surprisingly the recent floods have impeded operations but worryingly the report reveals several other issues which have caused delays.

The report concludes that overall the project is now regarded as “at risk”.

The biggest risk to taxpayers remains the end use of the site. The Council is borrowing heavily to fund the project and any delay could affect its – already marginal – viability. There is a real danger that the Guildhall project will go the way of the Community Stadium for which there is still no agreed opening date (it was to have been completed last summer).

It is further evidence that the York Council has exceeded its contract management capability.

Hopefully they will now pull back from taking on  any further projects (like Castle/Piccadilly) and concentrate available resources on finishing what they have already started.