The swimming pools at Energise on Cornlands Road are likely to be closed until Monday afternoon

A Freedom of Information request has shed some light on the Councils future intentions regarding the management of Extra Care sheltered accommodation units like Gale Farm Court.

As we previously reported, the 2014 budget agreed by Labour included provision for “market testing” the management of the sheltered housing with extra care service.

A cut of over £300,000 in the budget for the service was agree by Labour at the budget Council meeting held in February (click here to see our reaction).

The FOI request – in its final question – asks the Council to specifically rule out letting a contract for the management of the service in future.

The Councils response pointedly fails to do so.

Meanwhile residents tell us that a bizarre message – from Labour Cllr Laing who is responsible for the privatisation initiatives in Social Services – has been pinned to the notice board in Gale Farm Court.

Her claims, that no changes are planned, looks increasingly disingenuous now that the Warden Call service is being outsourced and some charges doubled.

Cllr Laing’s email could get her into hot water as Councillors are not supposed to use Council facilities for political campaigning.

Detectives in York are investigating following a serious assault in the city.

It occurred shortly before 9pm an Friday 5 April 2013, in a house in the Upper Poppleton area.

As a result of the incident an 81-year-old man suffered serious head and chest injuries and was taken to York District Hospital were he remains in a serious condition.

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