“Make it York” publish financial performance figures

“Make it York“, the wholly Council owned QUANGO responsible for economic development activities in the City, has finally published its financial performance figures for the period up to and including November.

The figures include income from the St Nicholas Fair and Illuminating York but the cost of staging the two events are not revealed.

While the figures suggest that the company is on course to make a small surplus during the current financial year, the covering notes include a warning that the recent floods may impact on the final out-turns.

The figures are being discussed at a meeting which is taking place tomorrow (Monday) at West Offices (5:30pm). The meeting is open to members of the public.

It is expected that managers from Make it York will update the stakeholder committee on the actions that they took to help businesses that were being flooded on the evening of 26th December.

Residents will also want to know why plans to provide children’s rides at the St Nicholas Fair were abandoned?

click to access
click to access

Met Office – Red warning of rain in York area for rest of Saturday. Football and race meetings cancelled

rain umbrella full size getty

“Heavy and persistent rain will continue to affect western parts of both West and North Yorkshire through the course of Boxing Day. The heaviest rain is expected to occur this morning, before easing for a time this afternoon. A further spell of heavy rain is then likely this evening before a clearance takes place from the northwest.

Please take action to remain safe and protect property: widespread flooding will lead to high levels of disruption to travel, deep, fast-flowing watercourses and an associated possible danger to life.

A band of rain has become slow-moving across the region. 30 to 60 mm of rain has already fallen widely, with a further 30 to 50 mm expected in some places. Some upland areas may see around 120 mm over the entire event, including the rain that has already fallen. This is expected to lead to widespread river flooding, whilst the shorter-period accumulations will result in high impacts from surface water flooding”. Met Office

STOP PRESS
  • Wetherby race meeting cancelled
  • York City v Northampton postponed

 

York Barbican concession events announced

When the Barbican auditorium management was privatised 5 years ago, the Council retained the right to nominate 2 days a year when locally based groups could have free use of the venue.

Barbican

The Council has just named its choice of user for two upcoming concession days.

Five applications to use the venue were received by the Council. The two events selected to go ahead were:

  • 2016 for “A Night to Remember” – a community show aiming to raise awareness of dementia
  • 2017 for “Rock Challenge” – a performing arts initiative delivering a positive lifestyle message to young people between 11-18 in school or college

BehindClosedDoors 2015Groups will be given a further opportunity to pitch for use of the venue next Autumn

Residents invited to join Wheelchair Basketball Legacy Games on Sunday

 

York’s first Wheelchair Basketball Legacy Games is opening its doors to residents who would like to try the exciting sport of Wheelchair Basketball.
The event takes place at York College on Sunday 20 December from 10am to 4pm and is accessible to all.

wheelchair basketball

Local Wheelchair Basketball club, the York Sharks are welcoming players of all ages and abilities by holding two tournaments on the day, one for league players and the other for those who wish to have a go or develop their skills.

The day will showcase the sport, which plays to the same rules as Basketball by players seated in wheelchairs. Anyone who wishes to take up the activity will be able to find out more about the club and their regular practice sessions at Joseph Rowntree School.

Lee Fawcett, an ex Great Britain and Paralympic player will be attending to help inspire participants. He will be playing in a demonstration game from 12.20pm to 1.20pm, where Tees Valley Titans (division one) will take on Leeds Spiders (premier league).
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Acomb residents create a community arts exhibition

Residents are enjoying viewing an exciting new community arts exhibition at Lidgett Grove Methodist Church, which brings to life the past and present of its surrounding area.

Lidgett Grove art wall

The extensive display is the result of an 18-week community arts project, organised by the council’s York Learning team.

It was supported by Explore York Libraries and Archives and is part of the Heritage Lottery Funded ‘York: Gateway to History’ project.

The project was developed with tutor Donna Taylor and involved 14 local residents who were either church attendees or young mums regularly attending the Lidgett Grove community cafe. York Learning team provided the project members with a free crèche. As a group they discussed how to take the project forward and decided to research their local area in detail and create an exhibition to share their findings with others.
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Children’s events programme to be expanded in York but when?

 

A report which considers how additional funding for the Shine programme of activities is to be spent will be considered by the Deputy Leader of City of York Council at a decision session on 3 December
Click to download

Click to download

Extra funding of £50,000 was agreed at the July council meeting to fund the Shine programme, which offers a range of activities including sports, arts, outdoors, libraries and play activities in York.

This year Shine has offered 474 activities linked to the school holidays.

These have included

  • inclusive music projects,
  • a young carer’s summer programme and
  • York City Foundation football sessions in parks.

Council support is given to organisations providing activities, ensuring that they have the necessary policies and practices in place to deliver high quality activities.

The funding is predominantly used to fund activities for those children and young people who would not otherwise be able to access mainstream provision. This may be through a grants system or by commissioning providers to address an identified gap in provision.

The report outlines the planned programme of activity and assesses the strengths and future challenges of the Shine programme. As part of this it asks for a review of the wider offer for children and young people in the city, which will help shape the programme for future years.

Many will, however, be disappointed that – with only 4 months of the present financial year to run – more additional events aimed at young people have not been identified.

The Deputy Leader’s Decision Session takes place on Thursday 3 December at West Offices from 4.30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch later online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

To find out more about the report, or to attend, click here

What’s on: Father Christmas’ Toy Museum

30 Nov, 1, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 17 – 24 Dec
11am – 4pm (2.30pm on 24 December)

Father ChThis Christmas holiday, Father Christmas will be opening his very special festive Toy Museum at York Castle Museum!

Experience some Christmas magic as the toys come to life to tell tales of Christmas traditions and re-discover some of the most popular Christmas toys of past and present.

Father Christmas will be making special appearances throughout the day to finish making his list of presents to deliver on Christmas Eve. Each child will receive a chocolate treat for the Christmas tree.

For more information visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk