What’s on in York: City Kick About
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Coronavirus York updates; 2nd August 2021
Hospital patients and deaths
There has been an increase in COVID hospital patients reported today, No more deaths
Test results
69 positive test results were announced today. They bring the cumulative total up to 17,444
The number of cases in the City has increased by seven to 520.
The rate /100k population has increased to 246.9. The case rate in the City has leveled off and is expected to remain around 250 for the remainder of the week.
Neighbourhoods
All neighbourhoods, apart from Tang Hall, now have an infection rate below 400.
There has been a surge in case numbers in the Tang Hall area. This was unexpected as most of the student accommodation in the area is unoccupied during the summer holidays.
Vaccinations
809 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Sunday)
Tests
- 7219 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 27th July 2021
- Of these, 7.6% were positive. That is less than the 7.8% positivity found during the previous period.
- In addition, 1806 “lateral flow” tests were completed on 1st August 2021
Oakhaven sale misses deadline
The Oakhaven elderly persons home on York Road has remained largely unused for over 5 years.
The closure of the home was controversial with the relatives of those resident there told that the site was needed for immediate redevelopment.
That proved not to be the case,
The Council finally agreed in November 2020 to a recommendation which said
“That approval be given to dispose of Oakhaven for the consideration set out in Annex 1 to the report in an off market sale with a backstop date for completion of 12 weeks and, should this backstop date not be achieved, to bring a further report back to Executive”.
As no further report was forthcoming it was assumed that the sale had gone through?
Apparently that isn’t the case.
We are led to understand that discussions with the prospective purchaser (Burlington Care Limited) are still continuing. A legal sale contract has been drawn up but completion could be delayed further pending a determination of a planning application for the redevelopment the site.
There are several outstanding questions..
- When can residents expect to see work on site start?
- When will it be completed?
- Will there be a sale condition which requires development within a specified timeframe?
York taxpayers will be keen to see this saga brought to a conclusion. Any income from the sale can be used to reduce the Councils huge mountain of debt.
Those seeking a new home will reflect that, had the site been put on the market 3 or 4 years ago, then a development could have been completed by now.
Coronavirus York updates; 1st August 2021
Test results
78 positive test results were announced today. They bring cumulative total up to 17,375
The number of cases in the City has reduced by 19 and now stands at a total of 513.
The infection rate /100k population has reduced to 243.68. It is forecast, however, to drift upwards over the next few days.
Neighbourhoods
Vaccinations
942 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Saturday)
Tests
- 7239 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 26th July 2021
- Of these, 7.9% were positive. That is lower than the 8.2% recorded during the previous period.
- 1460 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 31st July 2021
Cycle path still blocked/Future of MUGA
Despite promises by Highways Yorkshire, the cycle path on the A64 slip road next to Pike Hills golf course remains obstructed, The overgrowth problem was reported in June. Shortly afterwards Highways Yorkshire (who are responsible for the path up to the junction with the A1036) tweeted to say that the whole path would be routinely freed of obstructions during July.
That has proved not to be the case.
Now the issue is set to be escalated to the local MP but this really shouldn’t be necessary. A team could clear the hazardous overgrowth (thorn branches) in just a couple of hours.
We hope that the issue is not left to volunteers to tackle. If the government is serious about encouraging sustainable transport – the the very least they should do is maintain existing paths in a useable condition.
UPDATE: Highways Yorkshire have tweeted to say that the path “is due to be cleared in the very near future”
We’ve also reported overgrowth near the cemetery and at the Tesco roundabout (York Council responsibility)
MUGA Mugged
Separately we have queried with Councillors representing the Westfield ward what the future of the former Multi User Games Area (MUGA) site off Kingsway West is. It was used as a building compound for a couple of years but was subsequently abandoned.
The expectation was the the area would be leveled and grassed over. At present it is a weed infested eyesore.
The Council mowers studiously avoid cutting the area. They stick religiously to a route outside the line of the MUGA fence (which was removed last year).
If the area isn’t to be maintained as grassland then there is scope for more tree and wildflower planting. Neglect shouldn’t be an option.
Sadly there is still no news of the promised replacement games area. An all-weather surface, to replace what was lost, was due to be provided at the Thanet Road Sports Area, but progress has been glacial.
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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70 Huntsmans Walk York YO24 3LA
Single storey side and rear extension following demolition of garage – retrospective
Reference 21/01681/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/
The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received
What’s on in York; ‘Cops vs Kids’ Esports pilot in York
York-based Digital PCSO Chris Simpson has been working on a new project during the past few months to help improve police engagement with children and young people in his patch.
Chris’s idea – called ‘Cops vs Kids’ – is to use Esports to build positive bridges with the youngsters, as well as seeking support from their parents and guardians.
He has teamed up with British Esports Association (BEA) and City of York Council’s Youth Justice Service to launch the initiative throughout August.
It will run at the Moor Lane Youth Centre on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12noon and 2pm. All the places have now been filled.
The pilot covers a variety of sessions such as casual gaming, skills workshops, careers awareness and building a safe place for young people.
At the end there will be a ‘Cops vs Kids’ fun competitive gaming session, with the police playing on a team against young people in the area.
BEA is providing kit and guidance throughout the pilot and will produce a case study from the findings.
Chris said: “Esports can help break down barriers within our harder to reach communities where there is an inherent mistrust of the police, hopefully leading to a mutual respect.
“The event will also help to develop engagement opportunities with parents and guardians within local communities, both online and in the physical world.
“During the gaming sessions we will not only engage with young people, but also use it as a tool to help educate them around online safety, crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Ultimately, we want to show them that underneath the uniforms and despite the age differences, the police are human too. We share many similar interests, with gaming being a very popular common ground.”
Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education at City of York Council, said: “I’m pleased to welcome this activity for young people who are already working with our Youth Justice Service. It’s really important that officers who can help them are accessible and trusted. Having fun while gaming sounds a great way to build relationships while supporting the young people to make positive change in both their outlook and behaviour.”
Alice Leaman, the BEA’s Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer, said: “The pilot with North Yorkshire Police is a really exciting opportunity to understand how esports and gaming can help break barriers and engage all members of the community.”
- For more information about ‘Cops vs Kids Esports’ or to arrange an interview, please email chris.simpson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 07741 175747.
Coronavirus York updates; 31st July 2021
Test results
54 positive test results today. Brings the cumulative total up to 17,296
The number of cases in the City has reduced by 19 compared to yesterday. There are now a total of 532 infections in the City. This compares to the high of 1069 seen as recently as 17th July.
The rate /100k population has fallen to 253.08. It is expected to remain stable at around that level for the next few days.
Neighbourhoods
Vaccinations
1160 vaccinations were completed yesterday (Friday).
That is the largest single day number of vaccinations completed since 10th July.
Tests
- 7283 PCR tests were completed during the week ending 25th July 2021
- Of these, 8% were positive.
- 1897 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 30th July 2021
York joins regional search for foster carers
City of York Council’s fostering team has joined forces with others across the Yorkshire and Humberside region to recruit new foster carers.
Councils across the region have teamed up to create a new ‘Foster4yourcouncil’ website, containing a host of information about fostering.
The site will be officially launched on Yorkshire Day – Sunday 1 August – to celebrate the work of foster carers across the region and the life changing impact they have on children’s lives. The partnership will also host online recruitment and celebration events.
Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
Our foster carers are ordinary people doing the most extraordinary job. The stable and caring environment which they provide really does help to change the lives of local children and young people for the better.
“We hope to help raise the profile of foster carers and encourage others to come forward by joining forces with other councils across the region. Yorkshire Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the work of our carers and encourage others to join them.”
Foster parents across the area are backing the campaign and have spoken about how much fostering means to them.
Karen said:
I am always moved and amazed by the babies and children I have fostered: how they soon adapt, settle, learn to trust again and thrive within our family and friends.
“I can’t think of life before our foster girls came to live with us. They are our family now too and wouldn’t be without them.
“Although I love my role as a foster carer, I’m only as good as the team behind me and I couldn’t ask for any better support for us as a family than I have with the fostering team at City of York.”
Rachel said:
‘We love caring for young refugees – seeing them enjoy life, achieve and start to build hope for the future is fantastic after all that they’ve been through.
Each one of the young refugees we look after as foster carers teaches us something – we care for them and as they start to heal and achieve they encourage us.
Louise said:
Setting out on the journey of becoming foster carers can be a nervous time. However from starting the process with York we found it to be a very positive experience.
“Skills to Foster was a great insight into the laws, regulations, therapeutic parenting and safeguarding.
“We have had lots of support from both our Supervising Social Worker and the Children’s Social Worker. There are also foster carer support groups where you can meet other carers.”
Bernadette said:
“As foster carers we are asked not only to provide for the day-to-day needs of the child, but carry them through the turmoil that their short lives have handed them so far.
To see a child blossom and thrive is the greatest gift you can receive. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Do it!”
City of York Council is always looking for new foster carers to help support children and young people in the city who aren’t able to live with their own families. And fostering for City of York Council means that prospective foster carers can be sure they’ll be helping support local children.
Find out more about fostering in York on the council website, or from 1 August, visit the Foster for Your Council website and select the section on York. To contact our team, email Fostering@york.gov.uk.