1042 residents have now signed the petition aimed at making permanent the draft Green Belt boundaries, agreed by the York Council in 2011.

This would mean that many of the controversial developments being proposed by Labour would have to be withdrawn.

Green Belt sites scheduled for development by Labour include land next to Knapton/Wetherby Road (Showmans Yard), the Great Knoll Foxwood Lane (residential), west of Moor Lane (residential) and Dunnington (Traveller site).

The number of survey forms returned now makes the following residents survey results reliable to +/- 3%.

The population of York should increase by 25% over the next 15 years Agree 8% Disagree 71% Unde 22%

“(Draft) Green Belt land should continue to be protected from development ” Agree 94% Disagree 3% Unde 3%

“More homes should be built at previously developed sites like Terry’s and British Sugar” Agree 89% Disagree 6% Unde 5%

“I am opposed to plans to provide a “showmans” site on Wetherby Road ” Agree 84% Disagree 12% Unde 4%

Greenfield sites in Dringhouses should be protected from development Agree 99% Disagree 1% Unde 0%

“I am opposed to charging for parking at out of City centre retail parks ” Agree 78% Disagree 11% Unde 11%

“I am concerned about the development of large scale wind farms near the City ” Agree 62% Disagree 18% Unde 20%

“I don’t want to see Lendal bridge closed to private cars at the present time ” Agree 69% Disagree 13% Unde 18%

Crime trends in York and North Yorkshire. click to enlarge

North Yorkshire Police are celebrating North Yorkshire being the safest county in the country fallowing the publication of the latest crime figures.

Crime in York is down although levels remain above both the average for the rest of the force area and by comparison with similar City’s elsewhere in the country.

Residents can find local information and statistics on the following web site: http://www.police.uk/

In western York Anti Social Behaviour continues to be the most reported crime.

Crime levels in West York March 2013 click to enlarge

Free compost giveaway on Sunday

In partnership with Yorwaste Ltd free compost is being made available again.

Bring your own bag, container and shover (it is not pre-bagged) and help yourself to some free soil improver for your garden or allotment.

When: On the first Sunday of every month from March until October: 2 June, 7 July, 4 August, 1 September, 6 October

Time: 9:30am until 2:30pm or while stocks last

Where: Harewood Whin waste site, Tinker Lane, Wetherby Road, Rufforth, York, Yo23 3RR

Two concerts will showcase the” amazing musical talent of young people from across the city” at the annual York Music Hub Festival.

This musical celebration is open to the public and this year the festival’s concerts will take place at the Grand Opera House, on Saturday 22 June at 2pm and at 7.30pm. They will feature groups from City of York schools, York Arts Academy and the Wider Opportunities scheme where whole classes learn musical instruments together.

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Bailiffs have been active on behalf of the York Council recently.

In the main the Council has used the companies to collect Housing rent (771 cases), Council Tax (4769) and Non Domestic (Business) Rates (544)

Significant sums were collected by the bailiffs

• £21,646.21 (Housing rent),

• £183,455.11 (Council Tax),

• £125,456.34 (Non Domestic Rates)

The news comes after it was revealed, by the Department for Communities and Local Government, that York is owed £5.3 million (equivalent to £63 per household) in unpaid Council Tax.

York comes well down the league table of outstanding debts although it is bettered by Harrogate (£32 per household outstanding) and Hambleton (£32). The worst in Yorkshire is Sheffield where £146 per household is owed.

NB. Around 20 tenants are evicted each year for rent arrears.

• 2009-10 – 3 Anti Social Behaviour (ASB), 20 Rent Arrears and 1 for both ASB and Rent Arrears

• 2010-11 – 9 ASB, 15 Rent Arrears and 1 for both ASB and Rent Arrears

• 2011-12 – 3 ASB, 22 Rent Arrears and 1 for both ASB and Rent Arrears

In response to a Freedom of Information request the council have said that the value of the current repair backlog for City of York schools and nurseries (not including academies) stands at £37,991,504.43.

Another Council decision has been taken behind closed doors. This time the Council has reviewed arrangements for “volunteering”.

Read the report here.