Coronavirus York updates; 11th May 2021

Key workers get free entry

Residents and Key Workers will be able to visit the Mansion House for free when it reopens on Wednesday 19th May. The Council says that it is a way of giving something back to York residents and Key Workers as the City reopens following the covid-19 pandemic. The offer will be until 31st May 2021.

We think that the York Council should go further in recognising the work put in over the last year by key workers in general and NHS staff in particular. There are several honours which lie within the City’s gift and favour. We hope that the Council will exercise the option to grant an award.

Deaths

There have been no further hospital deaths announced today. It is now 3 weeks since the last fatality occurred at the York Hospital Trust.

The total death toll among York residents during the pandemic has risen by one. The latest ONS figures up to 30th April reveal that one home fatality was reported during the latest week.

Test results

One additional positive test result today. This brings the cumulative total up to 12,321

The number of cases in the City remains at 29.

Rate /100k population figure remains at 13.77. It is expected to increase slightly over next few days.

Neighbourhoods

Vaccinations

60.7% of York’s adult residents have now had their first vaccination.

31.2% have had their second dose.

Tests

3,982 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 6th May 2021
Of these, 0.7% were positive. That represented an increase on the previous days figure of 0.6%
In addition, 2,931 “lateral flow” tests were conducted on 10th May 2021

Hospital

No change to hospital patient numbers today

Are incentives to come to York needed?

A quiet day today in York City centre with locals enjoying the fine weather.

More seating is now available in Parliament Street and this is proving to be popular.

A £60,000 campaign to bring “staycation” visitors to York has also been announced, while the Council has launched a range of transport incentives (see below).

The further easing of restrictions scheduled for Monday may, however, brings its own challenges, with pent up demand likely to test compacity at a time when coronavirus is still prevalent, particularly among younger age groups.

*York will attract a lot of visitors this summer*

New travel incentives announced

City of York Council have announced a range of parking and travel incentives to encourage residents and visitors back to the city centre to support the city’s ongoing economic recovery.

New offers include a discounted resident’s Minster Badge for city centre parking, as well as a 50% off All York Family Ticket to launch as step three of the government’s Road Map is rolled out next week, from17 May 2021.

Half Price All York Family Ticket

The announcement includes a 50% discount for residents and visitors off the All York Family Ticket. The All York Family Ticket allows unlimited travel for the day, on all bus operators in York, including Park & Ride (excluding tourist and event services such as City Sightseeing and race day shuttles) for 2 adults and up to 3 children. It normally costs £11, but will be discounted to £5.50 under the offer.

Tickets can be bought at the discounted price from 17 May 2021.

With well-established hygiene practices on-board and the maintenance of low COVID-19 cases numbers across York, now is a great time to enjoy the convenience and sustainability of York public transport network. Please follow the on-board guidance and remember hands, face, space when travelling.

Find out more on the iTravel website at https://www.itravelyork.info/allyork

Minster Badge Discount

Residents will be able to apply for a £10 Minster Badge up until the end of March 2022 that lasts for 2 years. The badge gives residents discounts on parking in council car parks and on-street parking bays. The badge also entitles holders to park for free after 5pm in most council car parks – perfect for evening shopping or to enjoy the many excellent hospitality businesses across the city.

Minster Badges can be bought at the discounted price from 17 May 2021.

The discount will come into play as part of the next stage of lockdown restriction easing, at step three of the government’s Road Map.

To find out more visit: https://www.york.gov.uk/MinsterBadge

TIER E-Scooter and E-Bikes

With an expanded range of electric vehicles to hire across the city, residents and visitors can enjoy TIER’s e-scooters and now e-bikes from almost 40 parking bays across the city.

TIER currently have an active code that enables 5 free unlocks for users of the app: TIERXYORK

Find out more on the iTravel website at https://www.itravelyork.info/e-scooter-trial

Download the app to ride today at www.tier.app

Any questions? Feel free to reach out to the TIER team on +44 151 3174276 or yorksupport@tier.app.

Consultation on future provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in York

Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in York, and their families, are being asked to help shape future provision by taking part in a citywide consultation.

City of York Council wants to hear residents’ views on a series of broad proposals to ensure that the right provision is available to help all children and young people with SEND fulfil their individual potential.

The review follows a sustained increase in the number of children and young people with SEND, particularly those with Speech Language and Communication Needs associated with Autism.

Maxine Squire, City of York Council’s Assistant Director of Education and Skills, explained: “It’s important that we continually review our provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to make sure that we’re able to meet their very diverse needs.

“With the numbers of children and young people with SEND expected to continue to increase over the next couple of years, it’s essential that we take stock of what’s working well, how we might want to deliver provision differently or what we need to improve. It’s about making sure we have the right range of provision, which best meets the varied and complex needs of all the young people in York within the budget available.”

Families will be asked for their views on proposed changes to five key areas of provision:

early years provision;
Provision for children and young people with SEND in mainstream schools;
support for children and young people with Communication and Interaction Difficulties, including Autism;
support for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs;
Provision at Applefields School (a Secondary Special School for young people aged 11-19 with a wide range of special educational needs and/or disabilities.)

The consultation is available online at www.york.gov.uk/SENDInclusionReview. Paper copies of the consultation are also available at Explore Library and Gateway Centres. The closing date is Wednesday 30 June.

Cllr Keith Orrell, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

This is a great opportunity for young people with special educational needs, their families, and health and childcare professionals, to help shape future provision and I’d urge people to get involved.

“Proposals for change can cause some uncertainty for children, young people and their families. I want to reassure everyone that no changes will take place until a full evaluation of the consultation responses has been carried out and the proposals reviewed in light of the feedback.”

People can also ask questions on the Inclusion Review consultation as part of the council’s next Facebook live Q&A session at 5.30pm on Thursday 13 May.

Residents can interact with the session by either submitting questions in advance by emailing them to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk or commenting on the live video on the council’s Facebook page (CityofYork) from 5.30pm -6.30pm.