Bailiffs have been active on behalf of the York Council recently.

In the main the Council has used the companies to collect Housing rent (771 cases), Council Tax (4769) and Non Domestic (Business) Rates (544)

Significant sums were collected by the bailiffs

• £21,646.21 (Housing rent),

• £183,455.11 (Council Tax),

• £125,456.34 (Non Domestic Rates)

The news comes after it was revealed, by the Department for Communities and Local Government, that York is owed £5.3 million (equivalent to £63 per household) in unpaid Council Tax.

York comes well down the league table of outstanding debts although it is bettered by Harrogate (£32 per household outstanding) and Hambleton (£32). The worst in Yorkshire is Sheffield where £146 per household is owed.

NB. Around 20 tenants are evicted each year for rent arrears.

• 2009-10 – 3 Anti Social Behaviour (ASB), 20 Rent Arrears and 1 for both ASB and Rent Arrears

• 2010-11 – 9 ASB, 15 Rent Arrears and 1 for both ASB and Rent Arrears

• 2011-12 – 3 ASB, 22 Rent Arrears and 1 for both ASB and Rent Arrears

In response to a Freedom of Information request the council have said that the value of the current repair backlog for City of York schools and nurseries (not including academies) stands at £37,991,504.43.

Another Council decision has been taken behind closed doors. This time the Council has reviewed arrangements for “volunteering”.

Read the report here.

The Press are today reporting on a decision by some York Council officials not to publish a key Local Plan report.

The information was contained in a study undertaken by consultants ARUP.

It was designed to undermine the forecasts of population growth in the City provided by other organisations such as the Office of National Statistics. Those reports confirmed that the City needs to build around 600 additional homes each year to satisfy demand and to accommodate those who work in York’s successful economy.

The Arup report was referenced extensively by the Labour Leadership as they tried to justify their high growth strategy which would lead to the City increasing in size by 25% over the next 15 years.

In turn this meant space for 22,000 additional homes would be required. Most would be occupied by migrants.

Officials have now apparently claimed that the ARUP report, which informed the decision meeting on 22nd April, was a “draft”. It is apparently now being rewritten.

A list of all relevant background documents has been published click here

A sanitised version of the ARUP report will apparently be published on the Council’s web site on 5th June.

As the rules governing Council meetings confirm, the Council has no option but to release the contents of any report which influenced a Cabinet decision.

Earlier papers can be found on the Council’s web site here and here

It is the Council preventing access to the updated figures that is causing controversy

Although the Council has cut back on the number of amenity skips it provides, several residents associations continue to run programmes aimed at making it easier for tenants to get rid of unwanted items.

The skips are only in place for a few minutes and residents must ensure that they put any rubbish into the skips and not leave it on the path or highway.

1 Bramham Rd 08:30am till 09:30am (Outside Community House)
2 Ganton Place 10:30am till 11:30am
3 Dringfield Close 12:30am till 13:30pm
4 Bouthwaite Drive 08:30am till 09:30pm
5 Bramham Rd 08:30 till 09:30 (Grange Lane Junction)

£70,000 is to be invested over the next two years for new alley gating schemes to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across the city and help residents feel safe and secure in their homes.

Alley gates are placed on alleyways to the rear of houses to deter burglars from gaining access to homes.

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Local company Optare are to provide the electric buses for York announced by the Coalition Government on Monday.

LibDem Minister Norman Baker (right) at the launch of the 34 seat Optare electric bus

The buses are understood to be a larger version of those used in “Poundbury” in Dorset – the inspiration for the new Derwenthorpe village in York.

The 11 metre Versa EVs have a seating capacity of 34, which with standees results in a total carrying capacity of over 50.

De Courcey Travel are using the Versa EVs on the well patronised 400 vehicle Coventry South Park and Ride scheme with journeys into the city centre at 12 minute intervals at peak times.

The buses have a range of up to 100 miles. Fast charging points can recharge the batteries in around 2 hours.

The buses cost over £200,000 each. The government pays up to 50% of the cost of each.

Below is the latest planning application received by the York Council. Full details can be found by clicking by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” web site. http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Westfield Ref No: 13/01270/FUL Location: 63 Acomb Wood Drive York YO24 3XN Proposal: Single storey rear extension Applicant: Mr Evan Moss Contact Mr G Holland Consultation Expiry Date 18 June 2013 Case Officer: Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

The Foxwood Residents Association have launched a campaign aimed at getting owners to clean up after their pets.

See their web site for more details https://www.facebook.com/FoxwoodResidentsAssociation

Meanwhile a firm based in Wales have announced a more innovative approach to the problem! http://www.streetkleen.co.uk/new-streetkleen-bio.html