Ipad
Acomb Explore Library Tuesday 21 May 2pm – 4pm
We have a variety of devices for you try – get hands-on experience without any pressure to buy and ask some basic questions to get you started.
We can also offer advice on how to get online if you don’t already use a computer, and explain how to get started with our exciting range of eBooks.
Part of Adult Learning Week 2013.
These are drop-in sessions, no need to book.
Councillor Lynn Jeffries, who resigned from the Labour Party last year, has announced she is joining the Liberal Democrat Group on City of York Council.
Lynn, who currently represents Westfield Ward as an Independent, said she was delighted to join the Lib Dems who were offering the “real alternative to Labour in York”. She resigned from the Labour Group last August saying she was disillusioned with the way they were running the city, opposed their cuts to social care and the lack of genuine consultation, and said that Council Leader James Alexander was more interested in his public profile than representing residents.
Councillor Lynn Jeffries’ commented:
“I have chosen to join the Liberal Democrat Group because I feel they are the real alternative to Labour in York. When Labour closed Beckfield Lane and Burnholme School and when they cut adult social care it was the Lib Dem Group who actually listened to residents and led the opposition. It is also the Lib Dems that are leading the fight against Labour’s plans to rip-up the Green Belt.
“Lib Dem campaigners in Westfield and elsewhere are the ones who are actually working hard for local residents. I feel that joining the Group is the best way for me to represent the people of Westfield and to be able to stand-up for the rights of vulnerable people in York who are suffering the impact of Labour’s cuts.
“I have worked very closely with Keith Aspden on a number of issues and I know he will be an excellent Leader of the Lib Dems.”
Councillor Keith Aspden, who was elected Liberal Democrat Group Leader in York last week, commented:
“I am thrilled that Lynn will be joining the Liberal Democrat Group. She took a brave and principled stand on Labour’s handling of the cuts to social care last year and she has a proven track record as a diligent campaigner on equality issues. She is Chair of York Independent Living Network and her experience and insight on these matters will be invaluable to the Group. We have worked closely with her on many issues in the past few months and she does an excellent job representing Westfield residents. I am looking forward to working with her.”
Lynn will lead on equality issues for the Group and will be nominated to sit on the Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee.
Residents in York can get a fright at York Dungeon, go for a cut price swim at Yearsley or Energise and come face-to-face with Vikings at the Jorvic Centre – all for less with a York Card.
The current York Card is available for renewal at a cost of £3. The card also doubles up as a library card, which allows residents to borrow books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, large print books and language courses.
Residents on disability living allowance, carers allowance, housing benefit, council tax support, employment support allowance widowed parents allowance or working tax credit will be able to get the card for free . A letter from the awarding body will be needed.
To apply for a York Card go to any York library. Please bring proof of identity and York residency.
Despite assurances, many residents remain convinced that serviceable office equipment and furniture taken from the old Council offices has been land filled.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that “Any monies received by the clearance contractors for the sale of goods is offset against the invoiced costs of labour, transport, skip hire, and recycling costs”.
This suggests that there is very little incentive for the contractors to reuse or recycle equipment.
Asked how much (%) of the equipment from the old office premises has been either a) reused, b) sold, c) recycled or d) scrapped? the Council responded with the following information:
“No furniture has been sold directly by the council.
The majority of the furniture will be recycled as materials with no more than 4% being disposed through landfill. This is a contractual requirement. All electrical equipment is recycled in accordance with the WEEE directive.
703 PC’s and thin terminals were reused and 398 were disposed of and replaced with thin terminals which are more environmentally friendly consuming less power and reducing CO2 emissions in line with the council’s carbon reduction plans, easier to support and enabling flexible working which is part of the ethos of the building.
475 Monitors (15 and 17 inch) were reused and 480 were recycled as they failed to meet the minimum flexible working standard of 19”
621 Telephones were reused and 480 were disposed of as they did not facilitate flexible working or meet the 1Gb throughput which is now the industry standard.
A number of organisations have collected furniture and equipment for reuse:-
• York Explore;
• Future prospects (Filing cabinets coat stands Pedestals) for use in existing office;
• Elderly Persons Homes (Office Chairs, desk, bookcase, pedestals)
• Children’s centres (office chairs, reception/meeting room chairs, storage cabinets, pedestals, desk fans);
• Howe Hill Homeless centre (Kitchen equipment, and furniture);
• York Crematorium (Desks, filing cabinets, chairs, pedestals for new reception, book shelves) ;
• Respite Service (Chairs);
• Canon Lee School (32 task chairs, 3x low tables, 12 chairs, conference table plus 15 chairs and storage cupboard for special needs children’s centre);
• St Georges and Osbaldwick Primary schools;
• Badger Hill Primary School (soft furnishings for children’s reading area);
• Domestic Abuse Service (filing cabinets, pedestals, chairs, shredders, coat stands);
• Foxwood Community centre (Chairs);
• Lifeline (Desks and Chairs) for use at Blossom Street;
• Adult Learning Centres (Office chairs, meeting room chairs, book case, filing cabinets);
• Pine Trees Day Care Centre (Chairs and pedestals);
• Yearsley Pool (Office Chairs, book shelves, monitor stands, desk trays);
• Hazel Court (Desks, Chairs, Soft furnishing, and Cupboards);
The Council has struggled to convince passers by that equipment apparently dumped into skips outside the St Leonards Place office earlier in the year “was being sorted for recycling”.
