The week that was in pictures 11th Dec 2016

Week started with the annual Foxwood Christmas market

Week started with the annual Foxwood Christmas market

90% of Hob Stones residents had moved int their new homes on Windsor Garth. Some road repairs had been completed although work on the amenity area was outstanding

90% of Hob Stones residents have now moved into their new homes on Windsor Garth. Some road repairs had been completed although work on the amenity area was outstanding earlier in the week.

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Issues reported included a damaged junction box on Tudor Road, weed growth on Gale Lane, a full bin on Bellhouse Way and outstanding road repairs on Windsor Garth

Residents seeking to conserve the Lowfields playing field were rebuffed by the Council leadership at a meeting on Wednesday. However the battle goes on. Other parts of the City are awaking to the possible loss of other playing fields. A meeting on 19th December will hear pleas for the playing field at the former Manor school site to be brought back into public use while a Parish Council is seeking to make the fields at Osbaldwick school an asset of community value.

Residents seeking to conserve the Lowfields playing field were rebuffed by the Council leadership at a meeting on Wednesday. However the battle goes on. Other parts of the City are awaking to the possible loss of other playing fields. A meeting on 19th December will hear pleas for the playing field at the former Manor school site to be brought back into public use while a Parish Council is seeking to make the fields at Osbaldwick school an “asset of community value”.

aw-and-rotary-defib

Cllr Andrew Waller met volunteers from the Rotary Club who were collecting donations to help purchase a defibrillator

... while Andrew also reported what we hope will be the last of the problems with leaf-fall around the area.

… while Andrew also reported what we hope will be the last of the problems with leaf-fall around the area.

-- replacing leaves will no doubt be problems with ice, although these carvings proved to be a big draw in the city centre yesterday

— replacing leaves will no doubt be problems with ice, although these carvings proved to be a big draw in the city centre yesterday

packed-york

The City was packed on Saturday with all car parks full. Unfortunately the Council refused to unlock areas like the Reynards garage site which could have been used to help disabled drivers find a space.

..and into the evening with Handals Messiah attracting a record attendance at the Minster.

..and into the evening with Handel’s Messiah attracting a record attendance at the Minster.

Lowfields residents form action group to oppose playing field development

save-lowfields-playing-fields-tiltA new residents action group has written to Executive Councillors asking them to oppose development on a school playing field at a meeting tomorrow.

Residents had been told by the Council that only the built footprint of the old Lowfields school site, would be developed but that promise now seems likely to be broken.

A petition has been sent to the Council.

Residents are threatening to refer the matter to the Ombudsman as officials have not reported the results of a door to door survey of opinion, taken in the autumn, to tomorrows meeting. The survey had revealed strong opposition to the development of the playing field.

Questions have also been raised about to the role of the NHS and Police Commissioner in the plan which involves the relocation of a local GP surgery and the re-siting of Acomb Police station.

Community Stadium

Community Stadium Nov 2014York Knights Rugby League Club is to get a £45,000 subsidy from the Council next year. The payment will allow them to continue playing their games at Bootham Crescent.  The recommendation is being made to a Council meeting next week and follows reports that the rugby club has been taken over by new owners.

It appears that the builders of the new Community Stadium may be unable – because of the delays caused by a Judicial Review of the plans – to sustain the tenders that they originally submitted.

Officials warn that the cost of the project could, therefore, increase.

Although the new stadium could be open in the summer of 2018, if the Judicial Review is successful then a new planning application would be needed.

This could add between 6 months and 12 months to the timetable.timetable-dec-2016

Doubts continue over the future of the Yearsley swimming pool which – in the event of the new sports centre at Monks Cross getting the go ahead – could find itself in an increasingly competitive environment.

A report is expect early next year following discussions between the Council, Nestle and the Yearsley Pool Action Group.  Many residents would prefer to retain the Yearsley facility while jettisoning the expensive new pool at Monks Cross, which is inessential and adds substantially to the Community Stadium project costs.

The Council claims in the report that agreement has now been reached on the use of some facilities at the Community Stadium by the NHS, York Against Cancer and York Libraries,

The report pointedly does not provide an revised financial appraisal of the project or an updated business plan.

That was the week that was in west York in pictures 3rd Dec 2016

White line man was at work on Tudor Road. Unfortunately he didn't make it to School Street where the "no entry" signs badly need repainting

White line man was at work on Tudor Road. Unfortunately he didn’t make it to School Street where the “no entry” signs badly need repainting

The new Christmas lights in Acomb prompted an innovative display on the bar walls. Both complimented the traditional feel in the Shambles

The new Christmas lights in Acomb prompted an innovative display on the bar walls. Both complimented the traditional feel in the Shambles

Dumping was reported in Kempton Close

Dumping was reported in Kempton Close

and in Askham Lane

and in Askham Lane

as was graffiti on a junction box in Kir Crescent

…as was graffiti on a junction box in Kir Crescent

Occupants started to move into the "completed" Hob Stones development on Windsor Garth. We told the developer that there was still a lot of remedial work to do in the area on paths, roads and grassed areas.

Occupants started to move into the “completed” Hob Stones development on Windsor Garth. We told the developer that there was still a lot of remedial work to do on paths, roads and grassed areas.

Residents learned of the Environment Agencies plans to build a 2.5 metre high flood wall along part of Hob Moor. The aim was to prevent flooding form Holgate Beck

Residents learned of the Environment Agencies plans to build a 2.8 metre high flood wall along part of Hob Moor. The aim would be to prevent flooding from Holgate Beck

Many residents were angered by a Council announcement that they intended to build on the Lowfields playing fields - braking a promise given when the school was closed 8 years ago. A petition is being collected and representations to the government are planned.

Many residents were angered by a Council announcement that they intended to build on the Lowfields playing fields – beaking a promise given when the school was closed 8 years ago. A petition is being collected and representations to the government are planned.

That was the week that was 26th Nov 2016

The week began with a tea dance at Acomb library

The week began with a tea dance at Acomb library

Cllr Sue Hunter (centre) visited Venturefest at teh racecourse. The annual exhibition provides a showcase for local businesses

Cllr Sue Hunter (centre) visited Venturefest at the racecourse. The annual exhibition provides a showcase for local businesses

The Polioce sustained increased patrolinhg levels in Chapelfields. Fewer compalinstr about anti social behaviour across west York have been received this week

The Police sustained increased patrolling levels in Chapelfields. Fewer complaints about anti social behaviour across west York have been received this week

Councillors were out and about reporting issues for attention. These included leaf fall in Rylatt Place

Councillors were out and about reporting issues for attention. These included leaf fall in Rylatt Place

and day burnign street lights

Day burning street light reported by Andrew Waller

Graffiti in Acomb Green

Graffiti in Acomb Green

dumping and vandalism in the Beacosnfield Street back lane

and dumping and vandalism in the Beaconsfield Street back lane

Fly tipping on Gale Lane

Fly tipping

Car parking problems on School Street were reported. A survey is being undertaken to see whether residents want a ResPark scheme to be introduced in the area.

Car parking problems on School Street were reported. A survey is being undertaken to see whether residents want a ResPark scheme to be introduced in the area.

A new bollard was provided at the junction of Tudor Road and Kingsway West. Intended to improve road safety its precise effect is a puzzle to many

A new bollard was provided at the junction of Tudor Road and Kingsway West. Intended to improve road safety its precise effect is a puzzle to many

acomb-market-and-lights

The week ended with today’s Acomb Market and Christmas lights switch on (4:00pm). Over £6000 was raised by voluntary donations to fund the lights

Fewer drunks on York City centre streets?

According to community safety officials problems with drink related crime in the city centre reduced last year.

York drunkA new report says, “alcohol-related occurrences have decreased by 3% (50 incidents) in 2015 .

ASB nuisance reports decreased by 11% (172 incidents). These reports include: begging and vagrancy, buskers, street urination, public order behaviour such as fighting or drunkenness and verbal abuse. Theft related incidents were also down”.

However, “Violence-related reports increased by 18 incidents in 2015”. Violent crime covers a wide spectrum from minor assaults, harassment and abuse that result in no physical harm to the victim through to incidents of wounding and murder

Most of the problems occur in Coney Street, Micklegate, Blake Street, Blossom Street and Clifford Street.

The highest levels of reported occurrences are during the summer months of July and August, together with December. Calls for police service are at their highest on weekends; Saturday and Sunday. This was consistent across 2014 and 2015.  Activity is highest between 1pm-6pm and midnight-4am.

In response to a small survey of City centre visitors by the Police, 52% felt that York was not family friendly on a Saturday afternoon, 50% felt that partner agencies were working well together to make York safe on Saturdays and 94% felt that seeing a police presence in the city made them feel safer.

The Police blame visitors from the North East and South Yorkshire for many of the issues.

More patrols are now operating on Fridays and Saturdays.  In addition, the Council are in the process of recruiting two full-time Licensing Enforcement Officers who will work evenings and weekends and whose duties will include visits to licensed premises to ensure they are complying with the Licensing Act 2003 and any additional licence conditions.

Unfortunately, the report makes no mention of the increased anti-social behaviour problems evident in some sub-urban areas over the last 12 months

That was the week that was in West York – 5th Nov 2016

Quick work by the authorities in removing offensive graffiti for sub station doors in the Bramham Road area

Quick work by the authorities in removing offensive graffiti from sub station doors in the Bramham Road area

One or two of the gated rear access alleys on Chapelfields need cleaning. Cllr Sheena Jackson is fillowing this issue up

One or two of the gated rear access alleys on Chapelfields need cleaning. Cllr Sheena Jackson is following this issue up

It was confirmed on Tuesday that the Acomb market will become a permanent feature of life in the Acomb area. After the December markets, they will revert to the fourth Saturday in each month, The York Council has waived the rental fee paid by the organisers.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that the Acomb market will become a permanent feature of life in the area. After the December markets, they will revert to the fourth Saturday in each month, The York Council has waived the rental fee paid by the organisers.

Acomb Jobs fair on Wednesday attracted about 200 people. Here Cllr Sue Hunter talks about opportunities in the area

Acomb Jobs Fair on Wednesday attracted about 200 people. Here Cllr Sue Hunter talks about opportunities in the area

Cllr Sue Hunter with one f the newly planted containers in Front St

Cllr Sue Hunter with one of the newly planted containers in Front St

We've reported several more issues with fly tipping including this in Danesfort Ave

We’ve reported several more issues with fly tipping including this in Danesfort Ave

Take you litter home with you.! Chesney's Field suffering from litter

Take your litter home with you! Chesney’s Field suffering from litter blight

Vandalised benches in Chesneys Field were being repaired buy the Council on Friday. The maximum sentance for criminal damage is 6 months in prison.

Vandalised benches in Chesneys Field were being repaired by the Council on Friday. The maximum sentence for those committing  criminal damage is 6 months in prison.

Julia Mulligan has invited residents to give their views on controlling crime in the area. Given the problems with vandalism we hope everyone will respond. http://tinyurl.com/PCCsur

Julia Mulligan has invited residents to give their views on controlling crime in the area. Given the recent problems with vandalism, we hope everyone will respond. http://tinyurl.com/PCCsur

The York Council announced it would spend £200,000 deciding whether it would jettison its Council Housing responsibilities.

The York Council announced it would spend £200,000 deciding whether it should jettison its Council Housing responsibilities.

Graffiti still blights approach to City

Graffiti still blights the approaches to the City

...& the planning committee decided to approve the new visitor centre at Clifford's Tower. A decision which promoted derision in some quaters

…& the planning committee decided to approve the new visitor centre at Clifford’s Tower. A decision which promoted derision in some quarters

Business rate valuations mostly up in Acomb

Community centre faces 50% hike in Rates

Sanderson House faces rates hike

Sanderson House faces rates hike

Further detail has emerged of the new Business Rates that will be payable in Acomb and elsewhere in the City.

Generally, valuations have increased by around 10% although there are very wide variations.

This means that most shopkeepers in the area will pay more than they currently do when the valuations are introduced next year.

Examples of valuations – which can be found on the government web site by clicking here – are shown in the table below.

Business rates in Acomb

The figures quoted do not indicate the actual amount which is paid. A multiplier – which changes each year – is applied get the actual amount to be paid.

Still there are some shockers on the list not least the huge hikes in rates for the Community Centres in Chapelfields (+50%) and Foxwood (+17%). Charities do get relief on their rate payments but the changes are difficult to understand against a background where some businesses, like Ladbrokes bookmakers, will enjoy reductions of around 7%.

Elsewhere Liberal Democrat Councillor Sue Hunter has backed the idea of a new investment scheme for Front Street and called on the council “to give Acomb the support it deserves”.

A recommendation for a “wider renewal and reinvigoration scheme” was agreed by York’s Executive Member for Transport & Planning at a meeting yesterday in response to petitions presented by Lib Dem councillors in Acomb and Foxwood.

Over the summer, Cllr Sue Hunter organised a petition signed by over 800 residents calling for action to fix pavements in Front Street to help those who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and support the local shopping area. Meanwhile, Cllr Sheena Jackson organised a petition calling for improvements to the pavements around Foxwood Shops.

In response to the petitions, it was agreed that standard repairs will continue and that further work is carried out to appraise the possibilities for a wider renewal and reinvigoration scheme for both locations and a report prepared for the Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement. (more…)