strong>Liberal Democrats are attempting to overturn a controversial decision to cut social care in York.

Under the council’s plans its community care service will be available only to those with substantial or critical needs, rather than those with “moderate” needs. The moderate group includes nearly 200 residents who receive support to help with home care services or are supported to attend day activities.

The Liberal Democrat Group has decided to formally call-in the decision meaning that it will now go to the Council’s corporate scrutiny committee on Monday 13 August to be reassessed. The Group has said continuing the current levels of care support is affordable and have raised concerns about the consultation carried out and the viability of the council’s plans.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Adult Social Services, commented:

“We believe that Labour has made the wrong decision and we hope that they will reassess their plans. These unnecessary cuts will affect some of the most vulnerable residents in York and we have raised genuine concerns about the consultation carried out and the viability of the council’s plans.

Despite their claims, Labour has choices on spending. These cuts are not a necessity and if Labour cut things like the Leader’s £1 million personal slush fund they could afford to maintain the current levels of frontline social care. We hope the Council will reconsidered this decision at Monday’s meeting.”
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The Friends of James have a new T shirt on offer. £15 each.

20% discount available for LibDem and Tory party members.

There are currently only 9 outstanding planning applications with the Council from the Westfield area. In the main they concern minor domestic extensions although the long standing proposal for a parking area at the entrance to St Stephen’s Square still remains to be decided.

The latter has been with the Council since 25th October 2011!!!

There are couple of proposals to convert commercial into residential accommodation in the Front Street area which are still outstanding together with 2 applications for illuminated signs.

Further afield the West area planning committee will next week to consider plans for:

• Change of use from residential (use class C3) to House in Multiple Occupation at 1 Salisbury Road York YO26 4YN (Ref: 12/01921/FUL)

• Change of use from sandwich shop (Class A1) to hot food takeaway (Class A5) and installation of kitchen flue to rear 76 The Mount York YO24 1AR (12/01253/FUL)

• Change of use from cafe (use class A3) to drinking establishment (use class A4) Bora Bora, 5 Swinegate Court East, Grape Lane, York YO1 8AJ (12/01249/FUL)

• Creation of 3 flats, 99 Nunnery Lane, York, YO23 1AH (12/01961/FUL)

• Construction of 11. Dwellings following demolition of existing public house. Fox and Hounds 39 Top Lane Copmanthorpe York YO23 3UH (11/02985/FULM) click for details http://democracy.york.gov.uk/documents/s74836/Fox%20and%20Hounds%20Report.pdf

• Change of use to mixed use ground floor restaurant and first floor bar Lucia Bar And Grill, 9 – 13 Swinegate Court East, Grape Lane, York, YO1 8AJ (12/01910FUL)

• Use of the highway (Kings Square) for tables and chairs in connection with Chocolate, 2 Kings Court York YO1 7LD (12/02419/FUL) May be withdrawn Click for details http://democracy.york.gov.uk/documents/s74830/2%20Kings%20Court%20report.pdf

• Erection of 13no. dwellings and associated infrastructure Land Between Sports Field and Westview Close, York (12/01911/OUTM) click to view: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/documents/s74835/12%201911%20westview%20Report.pdf

Lists of planning applications can be viewed on the following site http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

Luck runs out for thirteen extreme speeders

Thirteen motorists have been summonsed to court after being captured driving or riding at extreme speeds by North Yorkshire Police’s mobile safety camera.

They include six car drivers and seven motorcyclists who were caught at speeds ranging from 72mph in a 40mph zone to 132mph in a 70mph zone.

All thirteen have been summonsed to appear at Selby Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 16 August 2012.

The van is equipped with five cameras on the front, rear and roof. The technology can detect the speed of approaching and receding traffic from up to 1,000 metres away and captures 360 degree images of the location. The device produces high-quality images of vehicles and the riders or drivers.

The mobile safety camera pilot was introduced on 1 July 2011 in a bid to reduce fatal and serious road collisions. The pilot was extended following the initial six month pilot period in December 2011

Proposed Art Gallery extension

An application for significant changes to the Grade II listed Art Gallery in York have been received by the Council.

The changes include internal and external alterations comprising an additional gallery floor, the erection of an extension to create a new gallery area, the creation of a new balcony and replacement windows together with the demolition of a single storey extension and part of a roof as well as internal demolition works and removal of partitions

The reference number for the application is 12/02509/LBC and details can be found on the following web site http://tinyurl.com/York-art-gallery

York Art Gallery is a Grade II listed building and is close to 24 other “Listed” buildings in what is one of the most sensitive parts of York’s historic streetscape.

Art Gallery in the 1880's

The Art Gallery was constructed between 1874 and 1879 as part of a Yorkshire Fine Art & Industrial Exhibition. A site was acquired from the York Philosophical Society within the walls of the St Mary’s Abbey precinct known as ‘Bearpark’s Garden’, in use as gardens at the time of acquisition (previously used as nursery gardens by Edward Bearpark).

The proposal for the construction of the exhibition building was formally launched to the public on 16th March 1876. The cost of the building at this time was estimated at £10,000 and acquisition of the site at £5,000.20 This first scheme was in the ‘Elizabethan’ style. However, it was not considered sufficiently ornate and a further scheme was developed in the ‘Italian’ style. This change in design increased the estimated costs of the construction to £19,000.

Construction of the Yorkshire Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition, York, began in January 1878. The foundation stone for the building was laid on 22nd April 1878 by the Lord Mayor of York and the building was opened just over a year later on 7th May 1879.

Constructed for the Exhibition in 1789, the building continued to be used for a variety of purposes, including lectures, concerts, performances, and events such as boxing, bazaars, displays, prize givings and exhibitions. The building was also tenanted by the School of Art.

An interesting history of the Art Gallery site can be found here http://tinyurl.com/history-of-art-gallery

Consultation on the planning application will continue until 24th August. A decision is expected in September.

If approved, the Art Gallery is likely to be closed for 12 months while the works are undertaken.

Make a splash with synchronised swimming at Energise

Energise are launching an exciting new synchronised swimming course, the first of its kind to take place at the leisure centre.

The course is a fun introduction to the challenging sport of synchronised swimming, where residents can learn new water skills, meet new people and create an exciting water routine to music.

The sessions will start on Friday 10 August, running from 7.30pm – 8.30pm, and are open to everyone, men and women, adults and children (aged 8 years and over). Cost is only £2.00 per lesson, and children under 16 are free.

Synchronised swimming has a great range of health benefits which include increasing muscle strength in both the upper and lower body, it can develop the body’s cardiovascular system, help to improve balance, posture and concentration, increase agility and flexibility.

People wishing to take part in the sessions must be confident in deep water, able to swim 25 metres and tread water.

North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following roads between Wednesday 8 August and Tuesday 14 August 2012

•A64 west-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•A64 east-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•Brayton Lane, Brayton, Selby
•Barff Lane, Brayton, Selby
•Skipwith Road, Escrick
•A63 Hull Road, Hemingbrough
•Church Lane, Wheldrake
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North Yorkshire Police has welcomed 12 new police officers to the ranks following a transferee recruitment drive earlier this year.

The officers have joined North Yorkshire Police from forces across the UK and will soon be on the streets of York and North Yorkshire helping to keep our communities safe.

They are currently undergoing an induction course at police headquarters in Newby Wiske before being deployed to their respective stations next week.

Temporary Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome our new officers to the team. They join one of the highest performing forces in the country and will be working alongside some of the most dedicated and professional police officers and staff I have had the pleasure of working with.

“I’m also looking forward to hearing about any new ideas they can bring from their previous forces to help us improve the way we do things here in North Yorkshire.”

York Safer Neighbourhood Team will be joined by three new officers, PC Nicola Peters from Thames Valley Police, PC Andrew Muir from Nottingham Police and PC Richard O’Connell from West Yorkshire Police.

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York police have made more arrests and charged three men following two robberies in the city.

The incidents occurred near the River Ouse on Tuesday 31 July 2012, near Scarborough Bridge, and on Thursday 2 August 2012, close to Almery Terrace.

A 17-year-old and a 20-year-old have been charged with both robberies, and a 24-year-old who has been charged with the Almery Terrace robbery.

All are from York and are due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court today, Monday 6 August 2012.

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