Acomb Explore Library
A new service is being introduced at York Libraries to help residents who are submitting planning applications for extensions or loft conversions to their properties.
Residents are now able to walk in to three York libraries (York, Acomb and Tang Hall).with their address and postcode details and can purchase specially printed site plans and location plans of their properties. These two documents are often needed when submitting planning applications to the council.
Want to know what's going on at #LDconf? You can find out here http://t.co/GQmuF7Q3AV #ldconf
— Liberal Democrats (@LibDems) March 7, 2014
A traffic sign and bin bags have been dumped outside 9 Bradley Drive.
9 Bradley Drive
The property has been empty for about 6 years. The Council was on the brink of gaining possession of the problem property – whose owner has absconded – in 2011 but the initiative was abandoned by the new Labour Council.
Two years later they did restart proceedings but little progress has been made and the building remains a target for vandals.
The Council has failed to improve the eyesore.
Dumping
Access Housing, who manage Foxwood’s Bellhouse estate, have promised quick action to deal with residents concerns.
We reported yesterday about growing concerns about litter, dumping, overgrown hedges and other issues which are blighting the estate.
Now Access have promised that there will be a tidy up starting on Wednesday (12th March).
A part time caretaker is being engaged to undertake this type of work.
Contractors will be brought in the cut back hedges and smarten up the planted areas. It is hoped that the verges will also be edged.
Action is promised to improve the play area on Linnet Way.
The estate manager for the area is Jo Caveney. She holds a fortnightly surgery for residents and can be contacted on 0345 678 0573 (Email: joanne.caveney@accentgroup.org )
The Council are to support a bid for targeted improvements to the A64 Trunk Road to Scarborough.
If approved, an MOU will underline City of York Council’s support for a York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership strategy to be submitted to the government this month.
International Women’s Week, from 8-15 March will be marked with a vibrant and thought-provoking series of events this week by City of York Council’s libraries.
An event, ‘Find your words, Find your voice’ will take place on Wednesday 12 March from 10.30am-1pm at Dringhouses library. Join Pauline Kirk, novelist and editor, and Rose Drew, poet and editor, and enjoy developing the craft of writing and publicly sharing work. Tickets are £4 and include refreshments. They are available from dringhouses.library@york.gov.uk or phone (01904) 552674.
Dringhouses Library
A freedom of information request has revealed that the Dringhouses Library building was gifted to the Council in 1942 for use only as a “Library or for other public uses”.
The revelation comes at a time when there are increasing concerns about the future of small libraries.
The Labour Councils decided to cut the libraries budget by £250,000 in 2013/14 and a further £150,000 in the forthcoming financial year.
The library service is now in the hands of an independent social enterprise trust which is currently looking to appoint new Directors
There will be an Open Evening at Acomb Explore, Front Street, Acomb, on Wednesday 12 March from 4pm – 6 pm, for anybody who would like to learn more. The management team and other Explore directors will be in attendance and able to answer questions. The person specification and role information for the new posts and can be found here.
To express interest in becoming a Community Director or the Finance Director of Explore, email fiona.williams@york.gov.uk by 24 March 2014.
An invitation is being issued to residents, businesses and local groups to come along and find out more about making the most of the build-up to and the Tour de France itself, at a series of information sessions held across the city.
Tour de France
People can find out more on arrangements for routes and traffic management, and about camping and caravanning in the city.
There has been widespread criticism of the Councils plan to turn Monk Stray into a camping site for the event. Residents have demanded to know why the Knavesmire or University were not considered as alternative venues.
There will also be information on how to get involved in the cultural festival called York: Be Part of It, and plans for the exciting spectator hubs where people can enjoy the celebrations.
Crocus out in Foxwood
The work put in by local residents, who spent much of the autumn planting bulbs, is showing results.
Crocus displays are brightening up many verges in the area.
The Residents Association now has a dedicated gardening group for the area called FoxGloves. For further details please Email foxglovesfra@gmail.com
Meanwhile the popular series of gardening classes continue on TUESDAY 11TH MARCH & 18TH MARCH.
The classes feature BBC Radio York’s Nigel Harrison, and run from 7pm to 9pm Foxwood Community Centre, Bellhouse Way, York.
No need to book. Refreshments will be available
A petition aimed at improving the appearance of sub-urban estates has got a boost from tenants living in the Bellwood Drive estate.
Dumping
Obstructed paths
Litter drift
Neglected playground
They complain about litter, dumping, poorly maintained communal areas and overgrown hedges. Most verges need edging and leaf detritus has been a hazard on some footpaths for over 6 months.
The issues have been raised with the landlord – the Middlesbrough based Accent Housing Association – and with the council.
