Out-of-hours and emergency contact numbers can be found at  www.york.gov.uk/ycc/emergencies/

I was pleased to support the Council and First  Eco bus initiative launched today. A range of low emission buses will be trialled on the Designer Outlet park and ride route over the next few months. As well as one battery “fresh air” bus, 3 different types of hybrid vehicles will be tested.

These are very much likely to be the public transport that we will see in the future in the City and the Council is keen to get residents reactions.

One of the advantages of the vehicles is that they are more economic than conventional buses, generally quieter and – critically – emit fewer emissions, helping to address those roads which have air quality problems.

The trial will extend over 3 months and passengers will be asked to give their reaction by filling in a  short questionnaire.

Refuse collection has been suspended today following heavy snow falls. Most roads in Westfield are passable with care. List of local salt bins reproduced in alphabetical order of street below for convenience. (NB. The Stuart Road and Foxwood shops bins were missing today. We have asked for them to be replaced)

Responding to our survey 45% of respondents said that they favoured providing the play equipment in the Grange Lane park. 27% were unsure and 28% said the idea wasn’t for them.

The pulley (above)was the most popular piece of equipment with potential users (children aged between 8 and 13).

Consultation on detailed proposals will be held at Sanderson House community centre on Monday 13th December, 5:00pm – 7.00pm.

The footpath link from Grange Lane to the ring road is to be reopened during the next week or so (precisely when may depend on the weather).

The route has become badly overgrown in recent years but came to public attention about a year ago when an attempt was made to establish it as a vehicle route.

This was resisted by the Council but it was decided that a Public Right of Way did exist and that walkers should be able to access the route.

Since then a local landowner has objected to the decision so a Public Inquiry may be held. In the meantime the Council will attempt to reopen the path as far as the ring road.

The majority of respondents to our recent survey in Kingsway West were opposed to the Councils proposal to change the physical arrangements at the Tudor Road junction.

The proposal had been suggested following a high accident record involving cyclists during the last 3 years, most of which involved conflicts with vehicles on the roundabout. The Council has agreed not to redesign the junction at this time but instead will trial a lower cost scheme which involves painting cycle lanes on the carriageway plus hatching on Tudor Road to emphasise the correct  line for motor vehicles to take when approaching the roundabout.

The Council will also during the next 6 months undertake a more thorough appraisal of the area with intention of improving pedestrian access across Tudor Road (a pedestrian crossing has been suggested) and reviewing parking restrictions both on the roundabout itself and at the low numbered end of Kingsway West.

Social care is essential for most people at some time in their life. It embraces the most intimate care for people, often at times of great distress. It is about helping people and their carers to live independent lives. This isn’t happening at the moment. That’s why the Coalition Government is moving away from the “business as usual” mentality of the last Labour government to tackle the broken system of how we care for our older and disabled people.
This new Government policy is built on two key reforms that Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for over the last decade.
The first is that people – and not service providers – will have control over their care. By extending the roll out of personal budgets, first proposed by the Liberal Democrats in 2004, we will give individuals the freedom to decide what their money is spent on. By 2013 councils will provide everyone who wants one and is eligible with a personal budget.
The second key reform, that Liberal Democrats have consistently championed, is guaranteed respite care. We believe that this is a lifeline – not just for carers but for whole families. The Coalition Government’s vision for social care will deliver on our Party’s manifesto commitment to provide guaranteed respite care by making over £400million available in additional funding over the next four years to hundreds of thousands of carers.
Too often in the past money for carers has been diverted into other areas. Unlike the last Labour Government, we’ll ensure that the right mechanisms are in place to make sure that this money gets to carers. Under the current system, too many vulnerable people have been left imprisoned in their homes, fearful of moving to be near loved ones, in case they found themselves worse off in a postcode lottery of care.
Our reforms will reverse rules which mean those who receive help from their local council have to be reassessed if they move to another part of the country. People will have the freedom to move home without the fear of having their entitlements taken away from them. The care and support of our older and disabled population is one of the most urgent of all social policy issues we face as a society. That’s why the Coalition Government has committed itself to invest £2billion into social care by 2014/15.

The City of York Council’s environmental protection unit has now finished its’ investigation of the former refuse tip behind Westfield Place.

A detailed risk assessment has confirmed that the levels of contaminants do not pose a risk to people or the environment. Therefore, the site will not be determined as contaminated land.