Possible explanation for delays?

Liberal Democrats are calling for action to be taken after a City of York Council report confirmed that recycling is falling and its landfill tax charges will increase by 12.5% this year.

The report, which will be discussed at next week’s Community Safety and Scrutiny Committee, shows that the Labour run Council has fallen down both local and national recycling rankings over the last 12 months. The amount of landfill tax the Council will pay this year is scheduled to be £2.9million while the authority is due to miss its targets for household waste recycling. Currently the Council is only recycling 45.9%, down from 46.4% last year and well short of its 47.6% target. York has now fallen to 260th in the country for recycling rates.

There are concerns that Labour’s plans to introduce charging for green (garden waste) bins and reduce opening hours at Towthorpe Recycling Centre will make the situation even worse.
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On Saturday 9 March, the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Keith Hyman, will confer the honour of Freedom of Entry to the City of York on 34 Field Hospital, who are based at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall.

The parade will form in Duncombe Place ready for the arrival of the Lord Mayor and civic party at 11am.

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Nominations are being welcomed by City of York Council for the city’s annual Adult Learners Awards to celebrate the achievements of people who are taking their studies to a higher level.

The Awards are open to anyone undertaking further education or training of any type, whether for qualifications, work or leisure. Shortlisted candidates, together with their tutor and the person who nominated them, will be invited to a prestigious Adult Learners Award ceremony in York on Thursday 23 May.

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The “dig in” team have issued the following statement

“We’ll be starting a weekly club at Sanderson House next Tuesday 4pm – 6pm. The club will be a mixture of gardening, crafts and cooking and will be open to all.

Come along to help with the transformation of the garden and be a part of this exciting project taking root in Chapelfields.

We have a special treat organised on Saturday 16th March, a trip to Brunswick Organic Nursery, free transport provided.

We are recruiting for a trainee, this is a fantastic opportunity that will be of great benefit to the lucky person who gets the role, please spread the word.
Check out the posters for details”.

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Community Energy Direct is a non-profit co-operative working to help people stay warm while spending less.

The Energy Smart Club model is supported by York and other local councils and could help you save money by switching energy suppliers.

Their dedicated website click here at has more information, and with your gas and electricity statements to hand you can click through to sign up online.

There is no obligation, signing up simply means your household can be assessed to see if a better energy deal is available, and offered a choice of lower-cost providers within a few weeks.

Call 0845 4502581 for more information.

The Marjorie Waite Court care home has been criticised in a report published by the Care Quality Commission. The report can be read by clicking here

Volunteers sought for “Revealing York Minster”, opening Saturday 25 May 2013

There will be an important date added to York Minster’s historical timeline on Saturday 25 May 2013, when a brand new visitor experience, Revealing York Minster, opens to the public.

Revealing York Minster is a network of new interactive galleries, housed in the Undercroft and Treasury below the historic cathedral, which tells the colourful story of York Minster, from the lives of the Roman garrison to the work of the staff, clergy and volunteers in the 21stcentury.

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• 22nd Mar 2013 – 25th Mar 2013
• Come along and find a bargain at the Giant Booksale.
• Every day
• Location: Explore York Library Learning Centre
• Cost: Entry Free

Visit Explore York between Friday 22 March and Monday 25 March and take a look round the Giant Book Sale.

All types of stock available: Paperbacks, Hardbacks, Fiction, Non Fiction, Audiobooks, Playaways, DVDs, CDs, Lots of local history stock

Acomb Alive!, the voluntary Group who are taking responsibility for regenerating the Front Street area, have announced their plans for the next few months.

Following on from the successful Pancake Race on 12th February there will be a number of Activity Days in Front Street to attract people into the area to see what is going on, this has followed a successful bid to the Westfield First Community Fund. The next one will be on 30th March and there will be activities for people, the launch of the Easter Egg Treasure Hunt, and lots for children to do.

Acomb pancake race

Acomb Alive! have now met with the council to discuss how empty shops can be brought into use, improvements in the area, and efforts to have the business rates reduced by lobbying the Valuation Office.

The street market planned for Easter has been postponed. It is hoped that an event will take place later in the year when a Street Market, with activities like crafts and Vintage stalls, will draw people to Front Street.

A project has been started which could bring empty shops into life. So if you know of any local artists or bands who want spaces then let Acomb Alive! know.