With the biking season fast approaching two new videos have been launched to help keep motorcyclists safe this summer. ck here to view
The videos detailing popular biking routes in North Yorkshire are designed to give riders tips on potential black spots before they head out on the county’s roads. The route guide videos can be accessed by clicking here
York Liberal Democrats have called for a review of the support given to 16-19 year olds in York after recent changes to education funding.
In 2011, the Coalition Government replaced the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) with a new £180 million Bursary system amid concerns that the EMA was too expensive, poorly targeted, and was not being spent by some students on essentials like transport and equipment. The new system offers a guaranteed payment of £1,200 per year for York’s “most vulnerable” young people – more than they would have received under the EMA – plus a further fund discretionary administered by schools and colleges.
(more…)
The next chapter in City of York Council’s York Stories 2012 project is about to open with an exhibition of stories gathered from past and present residents of York
The exhibition will be open:
Saturday 16 March – 12pm to 5pm
Sunday 17 March – 11am to 4pm
Monday 18-27 March – Normal York Explore opening times.
(more…)
Only one local planning application was received by the Council last week. Full details can be found by clicking the reference below or by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” web site. Representations can be made in favour of or in opposition to any application via the Planning on line web site.
Ref No: 13/00337/FUL Location: 56 Green Lane Acomb York YO24 4PS Proposal: Conversion of ground floor from retail (use Class A1) to residential flat (use Class C3) Applicant: Mr Graham Plunton Contact Mr J Funnell Consultation Expiry Date 1 April 2013 Case Officer: Jonathan Kenyon Expected Decision DEL http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage
The row over where Richard III‘s remains should be interred has taken a new twist today with a new campaign group being established.
They want to see York MP Huge Nearly’s bones interred in Leicester Cathedral.
2013 – Sales start in Leicester
A spokesman said that this would be a lot closer to his constituency than he usually managed to get and “co-location with a King might appeal to him”
The call was echoed by Council Leader James “ragtime” Alexander who in a cell phone call said, “Yes that’s a promising idea and the sooner the …. Crackle, crackle, click. Cllr Alexander has no Parliamentary ambitions
.
In a separate development workers on the new York Minster Revealed project are rumoured to have uncovered the bones of a horse.
This has led to speculation that it may be the remains of “Prince” the intended mount of Richard III at the fateful battle of Bosworth in 1485.
Prince was ostracised by Yorkists when he failed to take up an offer of a “kingdom” for a ride on the fateful battle day. He later blamed his agent for extending negotiations unnecessarily.
Prince eventually made his way north up the M1 turnpike before collapsing with exhaustion in Deangate close to the stable where he had been born.
Other commentators have claimed that the recently found bones belong to “Dobbin” who used to pull a tourist coach through Deangate. He is said to have mysteriously disappeared down a large pothole when Labour were last in power in the City.
Now DNA tests are likely to reveal whether the remains of “Prince” have finally been discovered.
A spokesman from Tesco has offered to “deal” with the remains whatever the results of the DNA test prove to be.
Strensall Tannery set for redevelopment?
It looks like redevelopment of the Tannery site at Strensall may shortly get the go ahead.
A plan for the provision of 53 dwellings with associated public open space, access and infrastructure, plus a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Foss is set to be considered at the next meeting of the Planning Committee
NB. The Tannery was built around 1805 The Tannery closed down in 2004 and was supposed to be made into a business park with 350 new jobs. Subsequently it was subject to arson attacks and is arguably one of Yorks’ worst eyesores.
Residents have started a petition aimed at persuading the Council to modify the zebra crossing on Haxby Road.
They claim that there have been several “near misses” on the crossing and want to see a speed table introduced and/or the crossing relocated.
The petition can be found by clicking here
The Council have now published more details of the new charges that it intends to introduce for the warden call service.
As our story yesterday explained, major changes to this lifeline service are planned.
Warden Call provides a 24 hour monitoring and response service to approximately 3,150 customers in York. The Telecare service has over 1,650 customers who have at least one piece of telecare equipment installed.
The report indicates that the charge could more than double from £4-25 to £10 PER WEEK if the Council decides to re-coop the full costs of providing the service. A basic Tier 1 service might be provided at a cheaper rate but this would not cover Telecare options.
An additional £5 would be charged where a couple at the same address both have access to the service.
There would be no change for those 1200 customers who currently do not pay for the service as long as they remain in receipt of Council Tax assistance and/or Housing benefit.
The Council will decide in June the final levels of charges which will apply for the service.
It seems clear though that the increase in charges is aimed at facilitating moving the service into the private sector.
A proposal to that effect will be considered by the Labour Cabinet in April.
The Labour Council have gone much further in privatising the delivery of Council services than had ever been contemplated under the former LibDem Council leadership.
A briefing has been issued explaining the new Housing Benefit rules which will apply to those living in social rented accommodation.
It can be viewed here.
Latest returns from our survey of public opinion show that opposition to Labours proposed City wide 20 mph speed limit has increased to 80%.
Many residents are incredulous that, at a difficult economic time when taxes and public service charges are rising steeply, the Council still intends to spend £600,000 on putting up 20 mph signs on lamp posts.
The Council have now issued a media release claiming support from the “Benenden Healthcare Society Limited” and the Police for their plans.
It is astonishing that Benenden – which hitherto has had a largely benign image in the City – have apparently chosen to enter the party political minefield that is speed limit policy in York.
One explanation might be that their “Media Relations Manager” is none other than Labour Councillor Neil Barnes.
The latter might be better engaged in trying to explain his hypocritical change of heart on the need to lock the Hull Road Park at night – a policy that he supported when in opposition but which has now been abandoned when voting for the Labour cuts budget on 28th February.
The Police view is more worrying.
They seem to ignore the emerging evidence from places like Portsmouth where it is becoming clear that having 20 mph speed limits in an unnecessarily wide area actually leads to an increase in the number of recorded accidents.
The York Police have consistently supported the policy of the last York Council (have the most appropriate speed limit on a road bearing in mind its character and accident record).
They only backed 20 mph speed limits when they were “self enforcing”.
In effect this means that areas with road humps and also many short roads – where speed is not an issue – could have the lower limit. But why go to the expense?
The trial in the Grange Street area of Fishergate is an example of a lower speed limit introduced in an area of short cul de sacs where the average speed was well below 20 mph both before and after the limit was changed!
It is time for the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner to get a grip on the mixed messages that the force now seems to be sending out.
In the meantime residents will need to consider what action they can take to change the attitude of this beleaguered and short sighted Council
