Bellwood estate residents backing “improve our neighbourhood” petition

A petition aimed at improving the appearance of sub-urban estates has got a boost from tenants living in the Bellwood Drive estate.

Dumping

Dumping

Obstructed paths

Obstructed paths

Litter drift

Litter drift

Neglected playground

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.

Improve our neighbourhood petition

York Councils “new” litter policy

The Council is to introduce what they describe as a “new” policy on litter. Details click here

Litter and rubbish in little Green Lane garage area

Litter and rubbish in little Green Lane garage area

In reality most of the policy is little different from that which was implemented over a decade ago.

Mechanisation has increased the areas that can be swept – particularly in the City centre – but in sub-urban areas litter has been a growing problem since bins were removed a couple of years ago.

The “policy” makes no mention of dog fouling – again a problem that has been on the increase since the Dog Wardens were cut. More joint use litter/poop scoop bins are, however, promised.

Other essential street level posts have been cut leaving York’s front line dangerously undermanned.

The effective, and much missed, Street Environment Officers have now gone to be replaced by an,  improbably named, “Smarter York Officer”.

Once again the emphasis is on forcing residents to undertake work previously done by the Council.

Cornlands Road snicket covered in detritus and litter

Cornlands Road snicket covered in detritus and litter

“Spring cleans” are promised but not in areas like the Cornlands estate where standards are now very poor.

The “cabinet” member taking decisions (the irredeemably inept “leftie” Levene) apparently hasn’t asked for any statistics to be included in the plan.

Residents will want to be sure that their taxes are being spent wisely.

They expect to see performance measures, clear targets and a real on the ground improvement plan.

Sadly   that is not part of the agenda for York’s Labour Council.

Cornlands Estates – residents rally behind “tidy up” campaign

The campaign to have the Thoresby, St Stephens, Cornlands and Tennent Road estate given a “make over” has gained substantial support from residents.

The main areas for improvement so far identified include:

Gulleys need clearing

Gulleys need clearing

Gates and fences need repairing

Gates and fences need repairing

Garage areas need cleaning and resurfacing

Garage areas need cleaning and resurfacing

Snickets need resurfacing

Snickets need resurfacing

Pathways blocked

Pathways blocked

Vandalism at parks

Vandalism at parks

Dumping on snickets

Dumping on snickets

Damaged verges

Damaged verges

1. Repairs to verges and protective posts (or selective bitmacing)

2. Verge trimming

3. More car parking.

4. Weed removal.

5. Repairs to gates and fencing.

6. Snicket and other resurfacing

7. Gulley cleaning

8. A major spring clean of communal areas, garages, snickets, forecourts including painting street furniture, replacing notices etc etc.

9. Trees/hedges cutting back from paths and boundaries.

Housing is the one area where there haven’t been any cuts.

Over £13 million is held by the Council in reserves(!)

Yet this decline happens?

More off road car parking needed

More off road car parking needed

Foxwood residents act on dog fouling problems

Foxwood Residents Association members turned out in force yesterday 1 March to blitz the dog fouling problem.

Former Council leader Andrew Waller (yellow jacket) joined residents in their anti dog fouling campaign

Former Council leader Andrew Waller (yellow jacket) joined residents in their anti dog fouling campaign

Residents walked the area bounded by Tedder Road to the north and Acomb Wood Drive to the south spraying any dog dirt with fluorescent biodegradable paint.

This action draws people’s attention to the issue and avoids them treading in the mess.

It also identifies particular areas where there is a significant problem and where further action, including photographing offenders and reporting them, may occur.

Further action will be taken in the autumn to see whether there has been a reduction in the problem.

The York Council is being pressed to reintroduce the Dog Warden service which was scrapped a couple of years ago.

“Get street level services right” say York budget campaigners

When the York Council meets on Thursday to set its budget, Liberal Democrats will be demanding that it “gets back to basics”.

The Council needs to switch its resources to ensure that the public services, used by residents each day, are up to standard.

It will mean postponing some of the Council Labour Leaderships “vanity projects”

These are some of the issues that we have reported this week.

Illuminated bollard missing

Illuminated bollard missing

Damaged verge

Damaged verge

Damaged verges

Damaged verges

Blocked drains in Chapelfields

Blocked drains in Chapelfields

Litter bins missing

Litter bins missing

Gutters not swept for months

Gutters not swept for months

Dog fouling – York Council policy questioned

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

It looks like the decision made by the Council to scrap the dog warden (animal welfare) service has backfired.

Complaints about dog fouling have been increasing but it seems that many do go unreported.

The number of fines issued has steadily decreased.

Now there is likely to be a move to reintroduce the dog warden service when the York Council debates its budget plans for the forthcoming year on 27th February.

LibDems taking action in Lowfields area

Damaged verges. W're asking he Council to s[end some of its £13 million housing profit on verge cross overs and/or lay bys

Damaged verges. We’re asking the Council to spend some of its £13 million housing profit on verge cross overs and/or lay bys

Litter drift on Lowfields amenity area reported. The fence-line of the Acomb Car park has accumulated large amounts of litter over the last 3 months.

Litter drift on Lowfields amenity area reported. The fence-line of the Acomb Car park has accumulated large amounts of litter over the last 3 months.

The Council should ensure that garage areas are kept clear of rubbish and weeds. Too many of them never get any maintenance attention despite high rent levels.

The Council should ensure that garage areas are kept clear of rubbish and weeds. Too many of them never get any maintenance attention despite high rent levels.

The Council is being asked to intervene following fears expressed by some residents about the safety of large trees in the area. Large branches fell off during recent high winds.

The Council is being asked to intervene following fears expressed by some residents about the safety of large trees in the area. Large branches fell off during recent high winds.