A few weeks ago we reported that a part of a tree had fallen onto to he York – Selby cycle path. It was blocking part of the path and posed a potential hazard at night.
The Council told us that they couldn’t do anything about it so today we trimmed it back
Likely that this peaceful route will become popular with “self isolators” undertaking some unaccompanied exercise over the next few weeks.
Meetings cancelled include
In addition many Council staff are now working from home
The Council’s step to encourage volunteering is welcome.
But better coordination of the resources available is needed at neighbourhood level.
Those “self isolating” want to know which local shops are offering home delivery.
Residents need confirmation of which pharmacies are offering home delivery and with what capacity (any gaps could be filled by volunteers).
The Foxwood Residents Association is offering free social media and noticeboard publicity to local shops that
a) will deliver to doorsteps
b) accept remote payment – inclusive of delivery – by PayPal, card or bank transfer
c) Will take orders by email, phone or “on line” web site.
Any stores accepting contactless payments, and collection of food from a prearranged “in store” location (by volunteers), will also be acknowledged.
The Council needs to check and publicise regularly the availability of “on line” delivery slot availability at local branches of major supermarkets.
The Council could also coordinate the provision lists of stock shortages, of essential items, at local supermarkets. This would prevent unnecessary journeys
Westfield Community Primary School in York has made the decision to partially close school from Wednesday 18th March.
The closure will affect the Early Years Foundation Stage and will mean that the Nursery and Reception Pupils will not be able to attend school.
The school will remain open for Years 1-6
Westfield school web site click
We want to make sure that support is directed to where it’s most needed, whether delivering food parcels, providing information, or sharing tasks like shopping or picking up medications.
“The physical and emotional health of residents is of the upmost importance and we are introducing a process to register, train and support volunteers.
“Volunteering tasks can also be done remotely for those who are not able to meet people. Examples include speaking to people on the phone or registering enquiries.
“The situation continues to evolve rapidly and therefore we are having to move fast. The Council will be contacting partners across the voluntary sector to discuss how best work together to make the most of available funding and support those most in need.
“Anyone interested in volunteering throughout this period should email volunteering@york.gov.uk and we will send more details direct. Alternatively please call the Customer Centre on 01904 551 550 and register your interest with the volunteer scheme.”
Although we will continue to report routine issues with local public services over the next few weeks, we don’t expect some to have any priority for the use of resources if the CV virus debilitates the Councils workforce.
Clearly the most important services are those that maintain the safety of the local community.
We’d like to see the Council appoint local coordinators so that the vulnerable have someone to turn to. We recognise that valuable resources like the local “hubs” will have to close but they need to be replaced with technology based alternatives. We look forward to hearing more about the Council’s plans
The Friday Hub at the Foxwood Community Centre has already been suspended.
Local residents groups and Councillors are actively supporting residents.
Hopefully those who are responsible for the graffiti that blights the neighbourhood, those who drop litter and those who allow their dogs to foul footpaths will now change their ways.
NB. The Great British Spring Clean – which relied on volunteer litter pickers – has been postponed until the Autumn.
UPDATE: The Social First Credit Union is still accepting applications for new memberships. Call 03030 300010
The Acomb branch of the Community First Credit Union was closed late last year. The property on York Road is now on the market.
The Union says that it still provide a basic service in the City each week. The published opening hours (which may change during the current health crisis) are:
Members can call the Union on 03030300010 when they believe they would like to visit and will confirm if the member of staff will be at these properties.
Formerly known as the South Yorkshire Credit Union, the organisation expanded into York when the York and North Yorkshire Credit Union folded in 2012. At that time there were considerable losses for the local authorities involved.
A few years later, the arrival of the SY Credit Union, at premises in what is the poorest part of the City, was generally welcomed.
The York Council has made no statement about the reduced access arrangements although support services like these are likely to be particularly valued during the present health crisis.
The Great British Spring Clean has been postponed and will return as the Great British September Clean from 11-27 September.
Hard on the heels of the retirement of the Chief Executive, the York Council has revealed how it hopes to recoup the costs of the early retirement exercise.
The post of Director of Finance and Investment will be deleted. This was the post traditionally styled as the City Treasurer. More junior staff will absorb this work.
The present Director has been acting as Chief Executive for over 9 months now and he will continue in that role.
More consultation with stakeholders is promised before any new structure is implemented.
The restructuring will save about £86,000 a year in salary costs
Details of the plans can be found by clicking here
So many pothole reports from both Councillors and residents are being fobbed off by Council officials, that the issue is going to be raised at transport chief Cllr Andy D’Agorne’s meeting on Thursday.
All complainants receive these days is a message saying
“The current status of your report is: closed – the problem has been inspected and no follow up work is required”
In the past – even if a pothole report didn’t meet what were termed “intervention levels” – an explanation of why work would not be carried out was given. That practice seems to have ceased.
As most on line reports include a photograph, there is clearly a risk and one that is likely to continue to deteriorate.
NB. We have reported again leaf detritus which has been in some of the gutter in little Green Lane since the autumn
