Coronavirus York updates; 14th March 2021

Deaths

No further hospital deaths today. It is now a week since the last fatality was announced by the York Hospital Trust. It looks like the vaccination programme is producing the desired outcomes.

Test Results

Only 4 positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative total to 12,052

It will be a few days before this reduction works itself into the confirmed weekly figures.

The number of cases in the week ending 9th March was 111. That is up by 3 from the 108 recorded the previous day.

The rate /100k population figure is 52.7. It should fall below 50 on Tuesday.

Neighbourhoods

As well as the small increase in cases in York, there have been similar minor hikes in North Yorkshire and in the region generally.

The largest number of infections (12) can now be found in Woodthorpe/Acomb Park/Foxwood South. Rates in New Earswick and Strensall are beginning to fall again.

Five neighbourhoods have fewer than 3 cases in each.

Vaccinations

There were a record number of vaccinations completed at both regional and national level yesterday

Tests

4076 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 9th March 2021

Of these, 1.7% were positive. This is the same proportion as the previous day.

1361 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 13th March.

Good news and the bad news

Good to see that the Post Box on Beagle Ridge Drive has finally been reinstated. It was first sealed off over 6 months ago

Meanwhile, across the street, the long term empty Council bungalow – which the Council has been unable to re-let – is regularly being vandalised. Several other properties have also been targeted.

We are beginning to lose confidence in the York Councils housing management officials.

The Council has been without a permanent head for its Council housing team for nearly a year now. Estate management vacancies are not being filled despite the housing accounts showing a substantial surplus.

York deserves better

Meanwhile the next Councils meeting agenda has been published. Anyone hoping for evidence that Councillors are addressing the major decline in public service standards will be disappointed.

With NHS staff being undervalued, unemployment rates rising, highway network maintenance standards at a new low, street level crime on the rise and housing in a management vacuum, you might have expected at least the official Labour opposition to highlight the issues. In fact you could reasonably expect most back bench Councillors of all parties to start to seriously question what is going wrong.

But no. Labour use an agenda motion to agonise about transgender recognition. They want to instruct schools to use trans childrens “preferred name pronoun”.

Election for Crime and Fire Commissioner

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections May 6, 2021

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) elections will take place on Thursday, May 6; the same day as the North Yorkshire County Council Elections.

There may be more interest in this poll because of recent publicity about street violence and increasing problems with anti-social behavior.

However, the post is likely to be scrapped shortly if the government goes ahead with its threat to impose a Mayor, with wide ranging powers, on North Yorkshire.

The PFCC’s salary and office costs have spiraled to over £1 million a year. It is expected that most of the candidates will promise to minimise those costs and instead invest the money into front line policing services.

PFCCs are elected every four years and are the representatives who oversee a police force and fire service area.

There will be one PFCC elected for all North Yorkshire. The winner will replace the current commissioner Julia Mulligan, who has come to the end of her term.

While the Council are putting COVID-19 safety measures in place for personal voting at the polling stations some residents may prefer to vote by post.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is Tuesday 20 April at 5pm. For a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.

This is a link to the application form for a postal vote.

https://www.york.gov.uk/…/vote-by-post-application-form

The candidates announced so far (the closing date for nominations is 8th April 2021)

  • Philip Allott (Public relations consultant, Knaresborough) Conservative
  • Cllr. James Barker. (Retired army officer York) Lib Dem 
  • Alison Hume (TV Screen writer York. Credited with writing an episode of “The Vice” 20 years ago!) Labour
  • Keith Tordoff MBE. (Retired police officer & sweet shop owner Pately Bridge) Independent 

Result of 2016 election for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

First Choice Voting: Conservative 53,078 Labour 34,351 Independent 30,984 Lib Dem 13,856. As no candidate won over 50%, the second preferences of the Independent and Lib Dem candidates were distributed to the two leading candidates, giving this final result: Conservative 65,018, Labour 44,759

Key Dates

  • Notice of Election – by 15 March 2021
  • Appointment and Notice of Election Agents – by 8 April 2021
  • Receipt of Nominations and Withdrawal of Candidates – by 8 April 2021
  • Statement of Persons Nominated – by 9 April 2021
  • Last date for Registration – by 19 April 2021
  • Receipt of Postal Vote Applications – by 20 April 2021
  • Receipt of Proxy Applications – by 27 April 2021
  • Notice of Poll – by 27 April 2021
  • Appointment of Polling and Counting Agents – by 28 April 2021
  • First Date to Reissue Lost or Spoilt Postal Vote Packs – 29 April 2021
  • Receipt of Emergency Proxy Vote Applications – by 5pm 6 May 2021 (Polling Day)
  • Return of Election Expenses – by 16 July 2021

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference.

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12 Beechwood Glade York YO24 3JT

Crown reduce Oak tree by 15 – 20% protected by Tree Preservation Order no. CYC 132 

Ref. No: 21/00506/TPO 

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Telecommunications Mast Adjacent 11 Front Street York

Installation of 20m Orion street pole supporting 6no. antennas, 3no. remote radio units and 2no. 300mm dishes together with new equipment cabinet and associated ancillary development following removal of the existing 12.5m Elara street works pole 

Ref. No: 21/00470/FUL 

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council does not routinely consult neighbours by letter when an application is received