Coronavirus York updates; 20th August 2020

Deaths and test results

There has been a spike in the number of positive test results recorded in the City. The government has updated the figures issued on Sunday 16th August revealing that 6 positive results were recorded on that day. That brings the cumulative total to 946.

That is the largest single day number of new cases recorded since the middle of June.

According to the government web site the cases were located in the Woodthorpe/Foxwood area

Extract from government web site https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/cases?areaType=ltla&areaName=York

There have been no additional hospital deaths.

York trends

The Council, in its now regular email to residents about the health crisis, makes no reference to the figures and offers no explanation for the blip. (Instead the email refers to house sales at Lowfields and the proposal for a new forest neither of which are directly linked to the health crisis).

The Councils daily COVID tracker – which can be found by clicking here on “Open Data – also makes no reference to the new figures.

The Council continues to ignore requests for additional information to be published.

Key at the moment are the number of tests being carried out on York residents each day. This would tell us whether there is an increase in the percentage proving to be positive.

Also important, in view of the spike, are the results of “track and trace” processes. These might help residents understand whether the positive results related to a particular family or group of workers.

York Council, still facing £20.4 million budget deficit.

Footfall in City centre up

The York Council says that it still faces a £20.4 million budget shortfall as a result of the COVID crisis.

The figures will be presented to a meeting next week They vary little from what has previously been published with the bulk of the shortfall (£16 million) being in anticipated reductions in Council Tax and Business Rate income following a rise in unemployment levels. .  

The biggest hit is expected during the next financial year when the Councils reserves will hit a low point.

There is still little evidence that the council is controlling its expenditure levels. There has been no freeze on new expenditure commitments.

One encouraging trend is in visitor numbers in the City centre.  

Marygate car park full

Officials say that use is now at 80% of car park capacity.

Footfall is at 70% of normal levels. This is higher than in other cities (50%) and bears out our own observations.

Use of public transport is still much reduced.

Despite the obvious increasing demand for car parking there is no mention in the report about the controversial decision to take 40 spaces at Marygate out of use.

Nor is there any acknowledgement that the number of spaces allocated for disabled use at Monk Bar is excessive. Most there are never used.

These spaces could be generating additional income for the Council and, of course, their occupants would be likely to be spending in local shops, restaurants and visitor attractions.

The income loss to the Council from the 70 unused spaces is estimated to be £5000 a week.

The Council says that changed highways layouts have “largely been well received”. They base this claim on the responses to a survey question (“big conversation”) where 62% said that they agreed with the extension of the “foot-streets”.

This may be so, but the council failed to include questions in its survey about individual actions like the reduction in car parking provision. Without such feedback, it is impossible to judge which of the changes enjoys popular support.

There is no acknowledgement that faulty car park ticket machines and unreliable advanced space availability signs remain an issue.

The Council is promising to consult with disabled residents about their transport needs. It will spend £25,000 doing so.

As usual the suburban and secondary shopping areas are ignored by officials.

Front Street needs more shoppers

There is clearly an economic opportunity for areas like Acomb if they can attract those who feel let down by some of the travel restrictions.

Opening Front Street to blue badge holders, on one or two days a week, would cost little but could stimulate footfall in what is another another beleaguered trading area.