Most residents will be pleased that John Lewis have made a planning application to open a store near the new Monks Cross stadium. The store will sell clothes, home and electronics goods.
Negotiations with the company have been ongoing for over 2 years.
The second of the large retail units being provided by local developer Oakgate will be occupied by Marks and Spencer who announced some time ago that they would not be extending the lease on their Coppergate home furnishing store.
The alternative to John Lewis – a move for the Sainsbury’s supermarket – would have presented the Councils planners with a major problem as the released store space would have already had permission to sell goods which were in direct competition with the City Centre.
The arrival of a new high quality retailer in John Lewis means that the City will be able to attract shoppers who otherwise might have headed for Sheffield and Newcastle.
The Oakgate proposal represents the culmination of 5 years work aimed at providing a new home for the City’s football and rugby league clubs. It is the only viable option although perhaps inevitably vested interests will seek to muddy the water. The “alternative” stadium plan announced a few weeks ago is a “spoiler” relying as it does on building on green belt land and interfering with a scheduled ancient monument (a roman fort).
John Lewis had previously indicated an interest in occupying space at Coppergate 2 – a development which ultimately failed to get planning permission. The new application is an opportunity that the City should grab quickly.
It is a shame that some people associated with the York Civic Trust should choose to publicly attack the proposals. Their business is conservation and they will lose friends quickly if they use the media to lecture important stakeholders on their business plans.
There are opportunities to improve the City centre and make it even more attractive to visitors and shoppers. Major extensions of pedestrian friendly streets are possible and off peak (10:00am – 4:00pm) shoppers car parking discounts are possible using the new generation of smart card payment options. But that requires the council to have a City Centre Action Plan in place and unfortunately they continue to dither on their strategy.

North Yorkshire mobile safety camera routes between 2 November and 8 November 2011
North Yorkshire Police’s mobile safety camera pilot has recorded 4,742 speeding offences during the first three months of operation. The six-month pilot was launched on 1 July 2011, with the intention of improving road safety across North Yorkshire and the City of York. This week the van is likely to be in Green Lane.
North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following roads between 2 November 2011 and 8 November 2011.
A64 Malton by-pass Malton east and westbound
A64 Seamer by-pass, Scarborough
A64 Seamer Road, Scarborough
A1039 Filey Road at Flixton
Stoney Haggs Road, Scarborough southbound towards Seamer
A629, Low Bradley
A65, Settle By-Pass
A62, westbound, Crosshills
A629, Skipton by-pass
A59, Beamsley Hill
A171 Jugger Howe opposite Springhill Farm
B1460 Castle Road, Whitby
A169 Whitby to Pickering Road near to Goathland
A169 Whitby to Pickering Road at High Horcum
A170 Scarborough to Thirsk Road at Snainton
A171 Mayfield Road, Whitby
B1249 Staxton Wold, Staxton, Scarborough
B1249 Foxholes to county boundary
A1039 Filey Road at Flixton
A165 Reighton by-pass
A64 Malton by-pass Malton east and westbound
A64 between Whitwell Hill and Barton Hill
A64 between Barton-le-Willows and Jinnah
Northfield Farm, Cobcroft lane, Cridling Stubbs
Brayton Lane, Brayton, Selby
Barff Lane, Brayton, Selby
B1257 Newgate Bank, Hawnby
A19 Crathorne
A170 Scawton Moor
Station Road, Thirsk
B6271 Great Langton
B1264 Low Worsall
Guisbrough Road, Great Ayton
B1257 Great Broughton
Northfield Farm, Cobcroft Lane, Cridling Stubbs
Skipwith Road, Escrick
A63 Hemingbrough
Church Lane, Wheldrake
Northallerton Road, Brompton,
Station Road, Thirsk,
B6271, Great Langton,
A61, Carlton Road, Carlton Miniott
A6108, North Stainley
A64 Eastbound carriageway Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
A64 Westbound Carriageway, Bowbridge Farm, Tadcaster
Millfield Lane, Poppleton, York
Beckfield Lane, York
Green Lane, Acomb, York
The mobile safety cameras will be in operation at the above sites at various times during the dates stated. Cameras will not be in use on the above routes all day, every day. The above locations were accurate when this news release was produced.

You can now get alerts about road gritting via twitter this winter.
Just follow @yorkgritter

York Residents will be able to take part in a unique workshop at York Explore on Saturday, which will document BBC’s Britain in a day project.

The event is only one of 30 being held in the country, chosen as part of the BBC on Britain in a Day. The aim of the project is to encourage people to film small parts of their day on 12 November and upload these clips on to the Internet.
The videos can then be broadcast on BBC2 in the run-up to the Olympics to celebrate the uniqueness of Britain and its nations.
KhaoZ Media will be holding a workshop at York Explore to encourage people to document the diversity of York on Saturday 5 November between 10.30am and 3pm.
The event will be an opportunity to show visitors how to get involved in documenting their day. The free workshop will also provide all the information people need to join in Britain in a Day.
Participants can use any equipment to create their work on their phones, digital cameras or a home camcorder and don’t need any experience of filmmaking or uploading to YouTube and Khaoz Media will also be on hand help upload their films if needed.

The project is based on Ridley Scott’s Life In a Day, made entirely of clips uploaded to YouTube by over 80,000 people from around the world.

Britain in a Day aims to capture an authentic and broad-reaching snap shot of Britain. The project is a collaboration between BBC Learning, Scott Free Productions (Ridley Scott) and YouTube.

To sign up to this unique workshop please contact York Explore on : (01904) 552828, email exploreyork@york.gov.uk or attend the event on Saturday 5 November
This event will help to build Yorks Olympic legacy, to mark what is already an important year for the city in 2012, to celebrate 800 years of local democracy.
KhaoZ media is a youth-led voluntary media production team, supported by the council’s Arts and Culture team.

During the 3 years ending in March 2011, when the York Council was led by the Liberal Democrats, the Authority achieved the best performance in the country in placing children for adoption.
National figures reveal that the percentage of looked after children adopted during the year, who were placed for adoption within 12 months, was 100% in York.
In North Yorkshire the figure was 87% while in Leeds it was 85%. The average for the country was 74%.
The performance has been praised by senior politicians from all parties.

2012 is a very significant year in York’s history, marking 800 years since the city was granted a royal charter by King John on 9th July 1212. This charter enabled York’s citizens to take charge of their own affairs with the right to elect a council, hold courts, appoint a mayor, and collect taxes. To celebrate this historic anniversary a programme of activities is being put together.

21 Oct – 5 November11 Theatre Royal Laurel and Hardy

26 Oct – 12 November11 Theatre Royal Blackbird

01 November 2011 Jerry Sadowitz

1 November at Clifton Library and Wed 9 November at Huntington School 5 week courses
TIME: Clifton Library 10am to 12pm and Huntington School 4.30pm to 6.30pm COST: £20 Clifton Library and Huntington School First steps Whether you’re an absolute beginner on a computer or a beginner who just wants to gain confidence before taking the next step, this course is just for you.

1 November
TIME: Various COST: Free Various Dig up your roots Computer sessions aimed at beginners will show you how to access and use resourses to trace your ancestors.

02 November 2011 Grand Opera House Ladyboys of Bangkok

2 November and Fri 11 Nov
TIME: Various COST: £1.50 Strensall Village Hall, Melbourne Centre, Church of the Holy Redeemer and Dunnington Sports Club Zumba fever goes gold Zumba Gold fever is hitting York through the Eng-AGE into Physical Activity Programme, with 4 new daytime classes in a variety of community venues.

2nd November and weekly
TIME: 12.15pm to 1.15pm COST: £3.50 ROKO Gym, Clifton Moor Breathe easy with new circuits class This class is designed for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, to help you exercise safely and effectively in a social group.

03 November 2011 Grand Opera House One Night of Elvis

3 November to 8 Dec
TIME: 6pm to 7pm COST: £5 per week Huntington Secondary School astro turf Jolly hockey sticks Back to Hockey’ for women has arrived in York! If you haven’t played for a while or would like to give it a go for the first time, now’s your chance.

3 November to Sun 6 November
TIME: Various COST: £12 one day festival pass, £20 all venues festival pass Across the city Lights, camera, action! Taking place across the city of York, The Aesthetica Short Film Festival will screen in a number of iconic locations all within walking distance of one another, combining the historical with the contemporary.

4 November2011, 6.45 PM Barbican John Barrowman
Tonight’s The Night
5 Novemberto3 Dec
TIME: 9.30am to 10.30am COST: £3 per week Huntington Secondary School astro turf Cardio tennis Cardio Tennis is for those wanting to get fit whilst playing tennis. No tennis skills or experience is necessary as the sessions suit all abilities.

6 November 2011, 7.00 PM Barbican Festival Of Remembrance

9 November 12/11/11 Theatre Royal Oklahoma
9 November- 30/11/11 Theatre Royal Storymakers Storymakers is a storytelling, drama and arts based session for 3 – 5 year olds and their mums and dads!
04 November 2011 Grand Opera House Jake & Elwood

05 November 2011 Grand Opera House Puppetry of the Penis in 3D

06 November 2011 Grand Opera House KT Tunstall

07 November 2011 Grand Opera House Tom Paxton

08 November 2011 Grand Opera House The Johnny Cash Roadshow

09 November 2011 Grand Opera House The Vagina Monologues

10 November 2011 Grand Opera House Dave Gormans’ Powerpoint Presentation

11 November 2011, 7.00 PM Barbican Imelda May

12 November 2011 Grand Opera House Judy & Liza

12 November
TIME: 10.30am to 12noon COST: Free Rowntree Park A step through time 90 years of history brought to life along a guided walk by local experts, The Friends of Rowntree Park and the Park Ranger.

12 November
TIME: Drop in between 1.30pm and 2.30pm COST: Free Rowntree Park Feed the birds for free Help keep your garden visitors happy this winter by making them a bird feeder to enjoy.

12 November2011, 8.00 PM Barbican Bill Bailey: Dandelion Mind UK Tour

13 November 2011 Grand Opera House Essence of Ireland

14 November 2011 Grand Opera House Fascinating Aida- The Cheap Flights Tour

15 November- 19/11/11 Theatre Royal The Merry Wives of Windsor
15 November19/11/11 Theatre Royal Troilus And Cressida
16 November2011, 7.30 PM Barbican John Mayall In Concert
Plus Special Guest Oli Brown Band
17 November to 24 Dec
TIME: 12noon to 5pm COST: Children £10, Adults £7 Bustardthorpe Field, York Knavesmire Santa Claus is coming to town This year, York families and visitors can discover the magic of Christmas at an enchanting new attraction set to be one of the top UK attractions for 2011.

17 November2011, 4.30 PM Barbican Zappa Plays Zappa VIP Package

17 November2011, 8.00 PM Barbican Zappa Plays Zappa

17 November 2011 Grand Opera House Roy Orbison & Friends

17 November 2011 Theatre Royal Bandstand Brass
18 November 2011 Grand Opera House Lee Nelson

18 November2011, 7.00 PM Barbican Beverley Knight
Plus Special Guest Omar
19 November 2011 Grand Opera House Mostly Autumn

19 November
TIME: 9am to 4pm COST: Free entry Explore Acomb Library Learning Centre Christmas craft fair Come along to get your early Christmas presents at our Christmas craft fair. Stalls include, homemade cards, glass ornaments, jewellery, stocking fillers and many

19 November2011, 7.00 PM Barbican 60s Gold

19 to Mon 28 November
TIME: Various COST: Most events free Various Faith in the city of York Celebrating Interfaith Week, an opportunity for York’s diverse and vibrant faith communities to showcase their beliefs, traditions and values.

20 November2011, 7.00 PM Barbican Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, The Big Chris Barber Band and Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band
The Three Bs
20 November 2011 Grand Opera House Bill Bailey

22 November2011, 7.30 PM Barbican Circus of Horrors : The Ventriloquist

22nd November – 26 November11 Theatre Royal We Are Three Sisters

22nd November- 23/11/11 Theatre Royal Beef
23 November2011, 7.30 PM Barbican Joe McElderry

23rd November26/11/11 Theatre Royal Travels With My Aunt
23 November 2011 Grand Opera House Paul Carrack

24 November – 26 November11 Theatre Royal House of Bernarda Alba

24 November to Sun 27 November
TIME: 09.30am to 5.30pm COST: Free Parliament St, Coppergate, St Sampson’s Square and Barley Hall The Christmas count down has started… The highlight of Christmas events in the City of York start when the city centre is filled with the spirit of Christmas at our annual St Nicholas Fayre.

25 November2011, 7.30 PM Barbican Russian Patriarchate Choir

25 November 2011 Grand Opera House Al Murray The Pub Landlord – Barrel of Fun Extra

26 November
TIME: 11am to 1pm COST: Free From Copmanthorpe Library to Bolton Percy Winter warmer Get the blood pumping and enjoy the crisp winter air on this guided bike ride.

26 November
TIME: 11am to 1pm COST: Free West Bank Park It’s a bugs life Make a bug box for insects and give nature a helping hand within your garden.

26 November2011, 7.30 PM Barbican Four Seasons By Candlelight

26 November 2011 Grand Opera House Mike Harding

26 November 2011 Theatre Royal Saturday Night Fever
26 November 2011 Theatre Royal Ceilidh
27 November 2011 Grand Opera House Dominic Kirwan

29 November- 3 Dec 11 Theatre Royal A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Filter

29 November- 30 November11 Theatre Royal Stig of the Dump

30 November 2011 Grand Opera House Joe Longthorne

No tenders have been received to run a taxi bus service on the Dodsworth Avenue/Bell Farm//Straylands Grove/ Monks Cross loop.
Instead full size buses continue to serve the 13/13A route between 7:30am and 6:30pm on a half hourly frequency at a cost to taxpayers of £48,000 a year.
The average half hourly number of passengers using the service is just 3.
It was the low number of users that prompted the Council at the beginning of the year to seek interest from taxi operators to run the loop. As well as the £41,000 income guarantee, the operator would have kept any fare income.
With many taxis now available with 7 seats – some specially designed to accommodate people with disabilities – it was thought that the contract would have been very attractive. One of the difficulties for taxi companies is the unpredictable nature of their income which can be influenced by everything from the weather to traffic conditions and sporting events.
Most taxi owners also continue – with different drivers – to run vehicles in the evening thus maximising the income from the “asset”. So any guaranteed day time contract use is a bonus.

There are 4 other bus services being subsidised by the Council where the number of passengers per hour is less than 10. These are being run using full sized buses with obvious fuel efficiency penalties. Conversion to taxi bus routes would not only aid the environment but should reduce costs for taxpayers.
No doubt the lack of interest from existing taxi operators in this kind of opportunity will rekindle the calls for deregulation of the number of taxis licences available in the City.
Hopefully taxi owners will now be looking at new low emission vehicles like the Toyota Prius Plus (Alpha) 7 seater hybrid which offer low emission levels and improved fuel economy. Use on services like the 13 would be in everyones interest.