LibDem local appointments

LibDem tieThe York Liberal Democrat Council Group has revealed their policy spokespeople following the start of the council’s 2014/15 civic year.

The Lib Dems, who are the joint largest opposition group on Labour run York Council, unanimously re-elected current leader Cllr Keith Aspden and deputy Cllr Ann Reid at their recent AGM, but have made a number of changes elsewhere.

New roles will see Group Leader Cllr Keith Aspden focus on community engagement, Cllr Keith Orrell lead the campaign to Save York’s Green Belt, Cllr Lynn Jeffries take on health and adult social care, and Cllr Ian Cuthbertson lead on Culture, Tourism and Leisure. (more…)

Lib Dems welcome Monk Stray U-Turn

Monk Stray

Monk Stray

 

 

Liberal Democrat Councillor Nigel Ayre has welcomed the news that Labour run York Council has withdrawn its attempts to install a permanent 8 metre gate onto Monk Stray from Stockton Lane.

 

The surprise annocument came this afternoon just hours before the council’s Planning Committee was due to debate the application. It was believed that the gate was being put in to allow large vehicles to access the site during next month’s Tour De France, when Monk Stray will be turned into a ‘Spectator Hub’.

 

However, over 70 local residents had objected to the application citing concerns that the gate would change the character of the historic public space, lead to the loss of grass land, increase traffic problems on Stockton Lane and would lead to regular large scale events on the Stray. Concerns were also raised by Cllr Ayre that removing historic hedgerow would break regulations.  

 

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Heworth Without, commented:

 

“I am pleased that officers have listened to local concerns and taken the sensible decision to withdraw this planning application. With significant local opposition and many unanswered questions it was the logical thing to do.

 

“However, this is another embarrassing episode for the Labour Cabinet Member and her plans for Monk Stray. It has been one blunder after another. First Labour’s attempts to get a licence to hold events every year on the Stray was defeated, then the Caravan Club pulled out of hosting camping on the site for the Tour De France, and now the plans to install a gate before the Tour have been withdrawn.

 

“The mistake that Labour has made at every step is to propose half-baked plans before consulting with local residents. Monk Stray is a much valued open space that belongs to the people of York. Labour seem to have completely forgotten this.”

 

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Full details of the withdrawn application can be found here: http://modgov.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=814&MId=8121

 

 

Mansion House opens its doors for consultation

Mansion House Christmas

City of York Council will hold a consultation weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June in the historic Mansion House offering visitors the chance to have their say on the proposed Mansion House restoration project.

The weekend will unveil details of the ‘Opening Doors’ project which is designed to develop a unique and dynamic visitor experience. This project looks to improve the display of the gold and silver collection, reduce the carbon footprint of the building and restore the 18th century kitchens.

This event will provide residents and visitors with an opportunity to contribute to the developing proposals and the architects, will be on hand to discuss the proposed designs. 
(more…)

York’s Apprenticeship Challenge has one week to go

apprentice

There is just one week left for businesses to support the York Apprenticeship Challenge which aims to get 100 pledges to recruit an apprentice in 100 days.

The campaign, led by City of York Council and training providers, already achieved its target in just 71 days but is looking for more Apprenticeship vacancies to be created across the city.
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Council back down on plan for Huntington Road parking restrictions

Residents have forced the Council to withdraw part of  its plans to introduce parking restrictions adjacent to 191 – 215 Huntington Road.

Huntington Road zebra crossing

The restrictions were intended to improve visibility for users of the nearby zebra crossing.

However residents have pointed out that the local shop and Post Office are shortly to be relocated further down the road and therefore that the pedestrian crossing should also be moved.

Details can be found by clicking here

 

York Support Group For Military Veterans

horse charge

City of York Council is working with several partners in York to provide a Military Veterans and Service Leavers Peer Support Group.

The sessions, which are held every Wednesday from 5.30pm until 7.00pm in Sycamore House, is a peer network of ex-military personnel who can provide information, advice and support to any member of the armed forces going through re-settlement, any ex-forces personnel or armed forces dependents.
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York bridge maintenance shame

Ouse Bridge York June 2014

Ouse Bridge York June 2014

The Labour Leadership of the York Council has come under attack from visitors and residents alike for neglecting the appearance of the City.

In the City centre, tourists have pointed to Ouse Bridge where weeds are now overgrowing the parapet.

The bridge stonework has deteriorated while failure to control algae and moss growth could lead to major repair costs in a few months time.

No historical evidence of horticulture on Ouse Bridge

No historical evidence of horticulture on Ouse Bridge

The bridge is one of the most used by pedestrians in the City with many visitors photographing the river and banks from it.

Nor is the situation better in the sub-urban areas with some side streets in Acomb covered in foot high weeds.

The Council revealed recently in a response to a Freedom of Information enquiry that it gives a contractor £70,000 a year to control weed growth on local highways and footpaths

NB. The Council recently spent £490,000 repaving Kings Square

 

Weeds in Beaconsfield Street in Acomb June 2014

Weeds in Beaconsfield Street in Acomb June 2014

 

 

Spy camera car in Front Street?

Minster FM is claiming that the parking enforcement camera van has now expanded its coverage area to include shopping streets.

Amongst them is Front Street in Acomb together with Acomb Road itself.

Traders in the sub-urban area have been having a difficult time over recent years and any suggestion that customers could pick up a £70 fine for parking would be an unwelcome development.

Free parking is one of the few advantages that small traders in Acomb have over the retail giants.

The camera car was introduced to stop poor (sometimes dangerous) parking outside primary schools in the City. Although not popular with everyone, we recognise that the initiative was a genuine attempt by the Council to address a real problem.

Local schools being monitored include Westfield and Woodthorpe

Extending the use of spy cameras to routinely issue tickets in less critical streets would be a step too far.

spy car

We are fortunate that York’s parking wardens (civil enforcement officers) do exercise discretion before issuing fixed penalty tickets. That approach needs to continue.

It appears that the Labour Council have learned little from the Lendal bridge fiasco. There, the crude use of cameras to enforce restrictions that were misunderstood by many, damaged the City’s reputation.

Labour’s inclusion, in their budget for the current year, of an additional £150,000 from spy camera generated fines confirms that they intend to continue the war against their own citizens.

NB. Respondents to our survey in west York have come out by 2:1 against the extended use of spy cameras in the  City.