Pressure is growing on Labour Councillors to attend a public meeting and defend their plan to increase the City’s population by 40,000 (25%).

The call came after Labour delivered a highly misleading leaflet/survey form to some residents over the weekend in which they implied that the 22,000 new homes were required for people already living in the City.

The survey asks only 3 questions.

1. How important is it to build new homes? All parties agree that there is a need for an increase in the number of homes in the City. It would require around 400 additional homes just to cater for local needs (new families forming while increasing life expectancy means existing homes remain occupied). The issue is how many homes are needed, where and when? (Labour plan 1090 homes per year, mostly on land which is currently in the Green Belt).

2. They ask how important the Greenfield setting of the City is (The Green Belt issue)? Most will say that it is important. Many respondents will think that they are endorsing the existing Green Belt boundaries (these are protected by regional policies and will continue to be unless, and until, the Council gets revised boundaries approved at a Public Inquiry)

3. Having softened people up, Labour then ask whether residents support their Local Plan proposals? The overwhelming evidence so far is that most residents do not support increasing the size of the City by 25%. Many are horrified at those parts of the Plan which would lead to the destruction of its Greenfield setting. Some will also be sceptical about the assumptions made about economic growth. 1000 additional jobs per year is a figure that is unlikely to be achieved consistently over a long period, while lack of an affordable transport and public service improvement policy, may be the final nail in the coffin of the high growth option favoured by Labour.

In reality the Councils own papers admit that the majority of occupants of the new homes will be economic migrants from other countries. Around 700 (2/3) of the new homes would be occupied by migrants each year.

Page 14 of the ARUP report says, “Population growth in York between 2010 and 2030 is ultimately driven by the scale of international migration into the authority”

That is not to say that immigration is a bad thing in principle. Migrants sometimes take on jobs that local residents, for one reason or another, shun. New blood can with bring with it innovation, motivation and fresh thinking.

But it is the unprecedented scale, and timescale, of the population change that threatens York’s unique character.

It is not surprising then that residents are demanding that a public meeting takes place at which Labour Councillors can be challenged on some of their more obviously bogus claims.

In the meantime, residents are reminded of the importance of registering individual objections to the published proposals. This can be done by emailing localplan@york.gov.uk (website – www.york.gov.uk/localplan)

Comments can be made – and larger scale maps viewed – at the Acomb Explore Library on Front Street this Thursday 20th June between 2:30pm and 7:00pm. We understand that some “pro Green Belt” residents will be lobbying this “drop in” session.

Please let us know if you require additional petition forms and copies of ehe window poster (below)

Road works in York – “where they are” web site launched

York road works map

A new web site has been launched which claims to list all current road works taking place in York (and,indeed,the UK).

It includes all statutory undertakings (telephones, water, power etc), not just the Council.

How accurate it will prove to be remains to be seen, but you can check it out at the following web site http://roadworks.org/

Fears for 24 bus service prompt calls for improvements in Westfield

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Some bus passengers are concerned that the recently revised number 24 bus service may be in jeopardy. The service is currently subsidised by the York Council.

At present it provides the only convenient link between the, largely elderly, community living in the Windsor Garth area and vital services many of which are located on Front Street in Acomb village.

The 24 route –which follows a one way loop via St Stephens Road, Cornlands Road and Askham Lane to the old village – takes longer than the old service. However its loss would be a major blow for a large number of older people.

We understand that First and the Council plan to introduce new routes in September.

We have written, urging them to route the number 5 service down Front Street. This would provide a useful link to the many public services which there are in the old village (doctor’s surgeries, chemists, dentists, the library and the post office amongst others).

We have also asked the company to look again at its timing points (termini) where buses “park up” prior to commencing new journeys.

Several of the existing timing points – particularly those on Foxwood Lane – have been criticised for causing congestion and adversely affecting road safety.

Beckfield Lane recycling centre redevelopment plans lodged – last weeks planning application list including links

Below is the latest planning application received by the York Council last week. Full details can be found by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” web site. Click here.

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.

NB. The York Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Acomb Ward

Location: Former Civic Amenity Site Beckfield Lane York Ref No: 13/01833/FULM Proposal: Erection of 19no. dwellinghouses and 9no. apartments with associated works following demolition of existing buildings Applicant: City Of York Council Contact: Mr Jordan Gill Consultation Expiry Date: 17 July 2013Case Officer: Victoria Bell Expected Decision Level: COMM

NB A large number of objections to this plan are expected. In the main the grounds of objection are likely to be that the Council has failed to provide an adequate alternative method which allows residents to dispose of bulky items in an environmentally friendly, and convenient, way

Location: Acomb Chiropractic Clinic 60A York Road Acomb York YO24 4NW Ref No: 13/01891/TCA Proposal: Crown lift to 5m,crown thin by 20% and reduce from roof line to give 2m clearance, Copper Beech (T1), Tree in the Conservation Area Applicant: Mr Brack Contact: Mr Tom Kitchen Consultation Expiry Date: 8 July 2013 Case Officer: Esther Priestley Expected Decision Level: DEL

Westfield Ward

Location: 297 Chapelfields Road York YO26 5AE Ref No: 13/00924/FUL Proposal: Dormer window to rear Applicant: Mrs Amanda Morris Consultation Expiry Date 8 July 2013 Case Officer: Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

Location: 53 Chapelfields Road York YO26 5AA Ref No: 13/01269/FUL Proposal: Two storey side extension, single storey front and rear extensions and dormer to rear Applicant: Mr And Mrs Strickland Contact Ms Kate MacNeill Consultation Expiry Date 8 July 2013 Case Officer: Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/weeklyListResults.do?action=firstPage

Chapelfields residents to have say on “Showman’s Yard” plan at public meeting on Wednesday

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Chapelfields residents have been invited to attend a public meeting on Wednesday at which they will be invited to give their reaction to plans, by the Labour controlled York Council, to establish a “Showmans Yard” on nearby land off Wetherby Road.

The meeting starts at 7:00pm and will take place at Sanderson Community House on Bramham Road

Police called in to investigate York Council document scandal

We understand that possible offences, under government regulations which force Councils to publish all relevant background papers containing information which influences a decision that a Council takes, are being investigated by North Yorkshire Police.

Breaches of the regulations are treated as a criminal offence and can lead to a fine of £200.

We understand that the complaints relate to the non publication of background documents for Labour’s (so called) “Get York Building” campaign and to the, more recent, decision to scrap 11 Librarian posts in the City.

Action is also likely to be taken to force the Council to reveal the contents of the “draft” ARUP consultants report which prompted the Cabinet decision, in April, to plan for a population increase in York of 25% over the next 15 years.

“Taxi for James” as York Council credit card used to fund £180 pedicure

The Sunday Times is reporting today that a York Council credit card has been used to pay for a £180 pedicure.

Apparently the money was spent on the feet of “disadvantaged” youngsters to improve their “self esteem”

Meanwhile James Alexander has published more details of his travel expenses.

They include a £12 taxi ride to Terry’s to take part in a “photo shoot”.

Residents living in the Bishopthorpe Road area may feel that use of a bus would have been more appropriate.

Taxpayers living in the rest of the City might tell the Leader to follow the example of his predecessors and use some of his £30,000 a year salary to fund trips within the City.

York Council shows £2 million shortfall in transport investment

A meeting on Thursday will be told that the York Council invested only £4.5 million of its £6.8 million transport budget during the last financial year.

This represents the worst percentage outturn performance for over a decade and will be a major embarrassment to a Council which is currently seeking additional transport funding to address congestion concerns on the A1237 and elsewhere in the City.

The credibility of the Labour Council’s “priority programme” Get York Moving has also been damaged by the performance.

Most of the shortfall came on projects to provide new park and ride sites and improve bus services in the City.

It means that the completion date for these schemes will slip by at least 12 months.

£395,000 was budgeted to be spent on schemes aimed at improving road safety. Only £202,000 of the budget was spent. Most of it went on a 20 mph speed limit scheme in the Bishopthorpe Road area.

On parking, the report says that “implementation of the ‘pay on exit’ car parking scheme at Marygate car park was delayed as the scheme that was initially proposed (using ANPR cameras) could not be progressed due to recent changes in legislation. It is now proposed to install barriers and new ticket machines at Marygate car park to replace the existing ‘pay and display’ system in 2013/14, which should be operational in late 2013”.

The scheme will cost £100,000 to implement amidst concerns that maintenance of the equipment could cost more than any additional revenue generated by the system

NB. The Council recently had to admit that its plans to provide new homes for the elderly were also running 3 years behind schedule.

York youth’s showcase their talents

Skate boarders, bmxers and musicians will be showcasing their skills at a special event

The event will be held on Monday 17 June at the council’s West Offices and will feature a mobile skate park for some of the children to show of the tricks that they have learnt during sessions at The Zoo skate park in York.

Representatives from The Duke of Edinburgh Award will also be on hand to demonstrate their expedition work and a local youth band will also be on hand to provide entertainment for the evening.

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Chance to tell the Council what you think!

Residents in York will have the chance to have their say on public services in its annual residents’ survey from the 17 June to the 25 July 2013.

The survey is an opportunity for people to give feedback on services across the city. The survey focuses on a range of topics including York’s economy, communities, protecting vulnerable people, protecting the environment and travelling and transport in York.

The questionnaire is posted to a random sample of households across the city but all residents will have the opportunity to have their say online.

To complete the survey online visit www.york.gov.uk/bigyorksurvey between 17 June and 25 July.

Residents who participate in the Big York Survey will be automatically entered into a draw to win £100 worth of shopping vouchers (!!)

York commentary archive site

Save the Green Belt – Residents demand local public meeting