Coronavirus York updates; 17th December 2020

Deaths and test results

There have been no further deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today

An unwelcome milestone has been passed with over 6000 positive test results now recorded in the City. Today THIRTY THREE (33) additional infections were announced bringing the cumulative total to 6005.

The projected rate /100k population for Tuesday 15th December is 78.3. That would be the highest since lockdown was relaxed on 2nd.

There is now an urgent need for a fresh statement from local Public Health officials. The spike may be influenced by increased testing using the “lateral flow” system. If so, then an analysis of the source of the “positives” is required.

If not, then the characteristics of any “contact” chains needs to be explored and publicised more fully.

The neighbourhood figures for 11th December (pre expected spike) show three areas with less than 3 cases. In two there were zero infections.

While case numbers are fairly static at regional level (prior to the expected Christmas spike) at national level infection rates are already increasing.

No change to Tier 2 restrictions in York

York and the rest of North Yorkshire will continue with Tier 2 level restrictions at least until the new year. The announcement was made by the government today. It comes as little surprise given the increases in infection rates in the City over the last few days.

According to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, York will need to have less than 45 cases /100k population before it will be considered for Tier 1 restrictions. Currently York has a case rate of 69.3 (and rising).

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Credit COVID-19 Tier Map — Election Maps UK click to access

York’s new stadium complex completed

City of York Council and operators GLL have confirmed that the LNER Community Stadium complex has been completed.

The project was agreed by the Council in 2008 with the original intention of opening the facility in 2012. At that time it had been expected that the section 106 contribution from the developers of the Vanguard shopping centre would have covered all the costs of the new stadium.

The reality is that taxpayers now face a £15 million+ bill.

There is likely to be an inquiry into how costs have escalated at the stadium. Even the taxpayers contribution agreed in 2017 (above) may be exceeded

Nevertheless the stadium will be a welcome addition to the City’s facilities, although it remains unclear when all services located there will actually be up and running.

York City’s next home fixture is scheduled to take place on 28th December.

The Council has issued a media statement saying that, with the final safety checks complete, the council and GLL will formally take control of the site from the building contractors on Friday 18 December.

The council and GLL are now working with partners to make sure residents benefit from the many sports, services and facilities it will host as soon as possible.

These include:

  • an 8,500 seater stadium for York City Football Cub and York City Knights
  • a community hub, including a library and community offices for York’s sports clubs
  • York Against Cancer shop and offices
  • NHS outpatient services
  • new swimming facilities, gym, dance studio and sports hall with spectator seating

Christmas and New Year waste collections

See the source image

This year, some Christmas waste collections have changed which means City of York Council will collect waste and recycling the day before households’ receive their normal collection day.

To look up collection days visit the council website. 

If your normal collection day is…Your bin will be collected on…
Monday 21Saturday 19
Tuesday 22Monday 21
Wednesday 23Tuesday 22
Thursday 24 Christmas EveWednesday 23
Christmas DayFriday 25Christmas EveThursday 24
Monday 28No change
Tuesday 29No change
Wednesday 30No change
Thursday 31New Year’s EveNo change
Friday 1 January New Year’s DaySaturday 2 January

Residents can chop up their Christmas tree and wreaths (please remove all decorations, bows and ribbons) and place them in garden waste bin. These will be taken away when garden waste collections resume again in April.

Real Christmas trees and wreaths can also be taken to recycling sites at Hazel Court HWRC or Towthorpe HWRC. Please note that both sites are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Extra festive recycling will be collected too including greeting cards, paper, wrapping paper (non foil), cardboard (please break down), plastic bottles, tins or glass.

All residents need to do is correctly sort them and place them in separate untied clear bags or open boxes of a similar size to a recycling box and put out with their recycling, or simply take them to a recycling site.

Full details of how to present extra items can be found here including what to do if you have more items than fit inside each recycling box can be found on the council website. 

It’s important that bins or boxes are presented by 7am on the day of collections, but no earlier than 7pm the evening before.

Residents who live in the city centre and have their recycling collected by St Nick’s have been sent a festive newsletter advising their service changes (Fri 25 Dec moving to Mon 28, Friday 1 Jan moving to Mon 4). 

Have your say on City of York Council’s budget

Council Leader on “meet the people” Tour. Budget consultation starts

City of York Council is asking residents and businesses to share their views on the council’s next budget, following the launch of the budget consultation this month.

Early in the New Year, councillors will have to set a budget for the next financial year (2021/22). The impact of the pandemic has been unprecedented and despite the Government’s promise to give councils everything they need, York faces a significant budget gap of over £15 million, an issue that has been compounded by successive years of Government funding cuts.

Whilst the council has continued to provide support for those who need it since the start of the pandemic, the full economic effects of coronavirus on our communities have not yet been fully felt.  Therefore, the council’s initial focus for the 2021/22 budget is to stabilise the authority’s financial position, allowing the council to continue to deliver the services which have been so relied upon during this difficult year.

The council will also continue its £600m capital investment programme to accelerate economic recovery, whilst continuing to support local residents, businesses and communities.

This year, there are a number of different ways to get involved and have your say on the council’s next budget:

  • Complete the paper survey in Your Local Link, which is being distributed to all York households from 15 December. Please send this back to the FREEPOST address provided by Sunday 31 January.
  • Complete the online survey which closes on Sunday 31 January on our website
  • Join us for a live Facebook Q&A on 6 January at 5pm on Facebook
  • Attend our virtual decision making sessions: 12 January 2021 – 10am, 2pm and 5.30pm 13 January 2021 – 10am and 2pm