James House £2.383 million overspend

A Council report being considered later this week has confirmed the scale of the delays and cost overruns on the James House homeless persons project.

The completed scheme was £2.776m over budget and finished 15 months later than forecast.

An independent auditor found that the Council had changed the specification of the contract and was therefore liable for most of the increased costs.

The original cost of the conversion of James House  was budgeted at £4.12 million

York parents encouraged to Look Say Sing Play at Acomb Explore

Parents and carers in York are being invited to attend a free drop in event at Acomb Explore Library later this month [Wednesday 30 June] to find out how they can use everyday activities to help their child develop.

City of York Council is working with the NSPCC on its ‘Look Say Sing Play’ campaign, which provides tips and hints on how parents and carers can help develop their child’s brain and strengthen their bond, to help them give their child the best start in life.

The campaign is based on extensive research which shows that every time parents talk, sing or play with their baby, they’re not just bonding, but also building the child’s brain connections.

Parents can pop in to the event at Acomb Explore from 11-1pm on Wednesday 30 June to get a free goody bag and chat to professionals, including health visitors, about they can help their child’s development.

They can also drop in from 2-4pm on the same day to take part in free activities with their children.

More information about Look Say Sing Play, including videos showing some of the activities in action, is available at www.york.gov.uk/LSSP

Coronvirus York updates; 21st June 2021

Hospital patients and deaths

A further increase in the number of COVID patients being cared for by the York Hospital Trust has been announced today. There are now 7 patients being cared for.

There have been no further deaths. The cumulative toll remains at 593.

Test results

55 positive test results today. Brings the cumulative total up to 12.908

The number of cases in the City has increased from 175 to 189

Rate /100k population has risen to 89.74. It will exceed 100 tomorrow (Tuesday) and is expected to continue on an upward trajectory. It is currently increasing faster than is being seen in other parts of the region and nationally.

NB The peak infection rate during the Spring 2020 wave was the 96.9 seen on 5/5/20. Death rates were, however, much higher at that time.

Neighbourhoods

Vaccinations

1288 vaccinations were undertaken yesterday (Sunday)

Tests

  • 5510 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 16th June 2021
  • Of these, 3.2% were found to be positive. That is a reduction on the 3.3% positivity found during the previous period.
  • 3769 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 20th June.

York Council debts rising

In a report to the Councils executive this week, officials report an increase in the debts of the Council.

It was not unexpected.

The report reveals that the general fund debt increased from £110.1 million to £151.6 million last year.

£51.5 million in new loans were taken out with only £10 million paid off. Some of the new loans will attract interest payments for 20 years at rates of around 2%.

The Council’s average investment balance has fallen from £48.7m to £15.7 million.

By the end of the 2023/24 financial year, the borrowing requirement is expected to hit £355 million. Around 19% of the York Council taxpayer’s annual bill will then be used to service this borrowing (i.e. pay interest and redemption charges)

We doubt that the report will get much attention from either the Councils Executive or the responsible scrutiny committee. “Live now, pay later” has become a way of life for many local authorities.

York has at least avoided some of the catastrophic investment strategies seen in other places (failed local power companies, incautious property speculation etc).

 York has, however, set up several arms length organisations including its own housing development company – reports on which have been thin on the ground recently. Against the background of a very buoyant housing market, that may not be a matter of immediate concern.

Longer term, who knows?