A crowdfunding appeal aimed at raising money for a sculpture of the recently deceased Minster Cat (Gerald) has raised £750 during its first 24 hours.
It is understood that the new sculpture could become part of York’s famous “cat trail”.
Donations can be made by clicking this link https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/gerald-the-york-minster-cat/comments#start
The York Cat Gallery owner recently jogged round the cat trail and has shared this video
Good to see that the litter bin on Tadcaster Road, which we reported last week as being full, was quickly emptied by the Council.
Shame that we are now seeing an increase in other examples of environmental crime
Empty cans blight the cycle underpass at London Bridge despite two litter bins being provided. Graffiti also a continuing problem.
London Bridge
Seat dumped in Acomb Wood. Been a lot of problems with litter there. The wood is maintained by volunteers, is a heaven for wildlife and a popular walk for locals.
Acomb Wood
Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.
Full details can be found by clicking the application reference
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61A Gale Lane York YO24 3AD
Conditions 3, 14, 15 & 16 of 20/00494/FULM
Ref. No: AOD/20/00231
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9 Branton Place York YO26 5BQ
Erection of single storey extension extending 6.00 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.40 metres and a total height of 3.40 metres
Ref. No: 20/01647/LHE
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119 Foxwood Lane York YO24 3LQ
Single and two storey side extension, porch to front, single storey rear extension
Ref. No: 20/01617/FUL
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6 The Green Acomb York YO26 5LR
Replacement roof to single storey rear projection, raising of roof to garage to create annex
Ref. No: 20/01553/FUL
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29 Bradley Drive York YO24 3NX
Two storey rear extension
Ref. No: 20/01565/FUL
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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site. http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/
The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received
A Council report suggests that most taxis and hire cars in York will become battery powered over the next couple of years. The major change would see new taxi plate applicants advised to secure a electric vehicle although hybrid options would be acceptable.
The report also suggests that the existing number of taxi plates (183) should be retained for the City and that there would be no change to taxi ranks. 24% of vehicles are regarded as wheelchair accessible. There is no restriction on the number of private hire vehicles in the City.
There are 151 people on the waiting list for taxi plates in the City.
The plan to move to low emission vehicles is seen as a way of reducing emissions around the City. The report acknowledges that such vehicle are more expensive to purchase.
A concession is suggested for large wheelchair accessible vehicles.
The average age of the taxi/private hire fleet is currently 7 years. The Council is now proposing that 7 years should be the maximum permitted age of a taxi or hire car.
The report says, “there are many cars in the fleet that do not meet the latest Euro standards and there is still a large number of vehicles operating in the city which are Euro 5, Euro 4 and even some Euro 3 vehicles – including hackneys. It is well documented that Euro 5 diesels are a problem in respect of their emissions of harmful particulate matter”.
The report goes on to say new hackney carriage vehicles licences will only be issued to the following type of vehicles:
From 1st January 2021 new private hire licences will only be issued to the following type of vehicles:
The Council is offering financial support to eligible CYC licensed hackney carriage and private hire drivers/vehicle licence proprietors to upgrade their vehicles to low emission variants.
There may be a concern that the proposals are ill timed.
Taxis – along with other types of public transport – have suffered reduced use because of the pandemic and lockdown.
Air quality levels are currently good in all parts of the City.
While passengers will welcome the move towards improved standards, some will argue that the current health situation suggests implementation of the new rules be delayed. New compliant vehicles can cost around £50,000. That is a big outlay against the background of a declining market.
Many will also argue that hire cars, registered outside York but operating in the City, should be subject to the same rules.
Its good to see that the potholes on the Morrell Court access road have been patched. Earlier in the year the Council claimed that they were not deep enough to justify maintenance work.
No doubt the Kangaroo that jumped out of one last week managed to persuaded them otherwise!
Disappointing to see litter bins filled to overflowing on the Tadcaster Road entrance to the City. Also some graffiti. We’ve reported both.
Its also disappointing to see that the cycle path near the golf course still hasn’t received any maintenance.
Given that the Council has been rushing around trying to introduce new cycling facilities it seems strange that those which already exist are so badly neglected. Not the way to get people out of their cars and onto their bikes.
Huge amounts of money are on offer to Councils to get issues like this sorted.
The York Council will consider a report on how air quality in the City varied during 2019.
It reveals that, even before lock-down, NO2 emission levels had continued to fall in the City. The report cites a number of reasons for the improvement including a move to electric buses, anti idling measures and general improvements in vehicle technology.
Perhaps surprisingly, the report fails to analyse what has been happening recent weeks. Despite a return to near pre lock-down levels of traffic on many roads in the City, air quality has remained good.
Rather disingenuously the report author tries to draw a connection between COVID-19 deaths and poor air quality. No figures or independent research is offered to support the thesis.
As of lunchtime today pollution levels in the City were low.
Deaths and test results
There have been no further COVID 19 related deaths in the City
There have been NINE additional positive test results announced today bring the total to 1070
Neighbourhoods with the largest number of cases during the last 7 days are Tang Hall, Heworth North and Haxby.
Transparency
Sky video makes a very good case for widening the amount of data published at community level. They make the, very valid, point that “positivity” is a key measure (the percentage of positive test results) rather than the absolute number.
The authorities are reluctant to provide this information on a daily basis at local authority level nor do they provide information on the number of COVID occupied hospital beds or the characteristics of the cases we are seeing.
Local MPs should be leading the campaign for more openness. Instead they seem to be posturing on the sidelines
Grants for businesses
The Government’s Small Business Grants (SBG) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grants (RHLG) closed for applications on 28 August 2020.
The York Council is now reviewing its performance in helping business. A report has been published today.
It says that over £70 million in business rates relief has been processed.
£46 million has also paid to 3531 businesses in the small business and retail, hospitality & leisure sectors.
£1.1 million was granted to “micro businesses” from Council funds. A further £2.2 million came for government. However requests for aid exceeded the funds that were available.
A report to be discussed next week reveals how many people have been prosecuted in York for various environmental crimes.
46 people were prosecuted for urinating in public with fines and costs averaging over £400.
At the other end of the scale, only 3 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued for dog fouling offences.
Three people were fined for littering and 20 for fly tipping
14 warnings for fly posting were given together with 12 Fixed Penalty Notices.
There were no notices issued under the “Public Space Protection Orders”. These are the orders that seek to prevent anti social behaviour in specific neighbourhoods.
Deaths and test results.
There have been no further hospital deaths in the City. In fact there has only been one fatality announced today across the whole of England with that being in Bradford. That would be the lowest daily death toll since the start of the pandemic
There have been SEVEN additional positive test results announced today bringing the cumulative total to 1051
The distribution of recent cases in York neighbourhoods according to government figures is;
| Neighbourhood | Cases latest 7 days |
| Tang Hall | 7 |
| Heworth North & Stockton on Forest | 4 |
| Holgate West | 4 |
| Westfield, Chapelfields & Foxwood | 4 |
| Haxby | 3 |
| Clifton Without & Skelton | 3 |
| Clifton North | 3 |
| Osbaldwick | 3 |
Today has marked the start of restrictions which prohibit gatherings of more than 6 people. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some children and young people are having difficulty in paring their social circles down to below the required maximum!
