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The meeting last night was attended by 5 residents. They heard that the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – who have received a large Lottery Grant to pursue an “Edible York” style project – hope to use part of the park to grow food.

The scheme varies from conventional allotments as the produce is effectively given away.

It appears that they want to use the playground – within the low level railings – for the project (as this will deter any stray dogs).

A further “on site” meeting will take place on Saturday 21st January at 1:00pm (see flyer right)

However, this could mean an end to the ambitions to provide play facilities on the park. Such facilities have been on “hold” pending the removal of the Public Right of Way across the park which currently makes securing the area at night impossible.

Liberal Democrat campaigner Andrew Waller is leading the fight to get the Council to divert the public footpath and use monies, provided by the developer of the adjacent bungalow site, to install lockable gates for the park.

Andrew Waller at entrance to Cornlands Park

The Friends of York Walls will be offering a Fishergate Postern Tour on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th January, from 11am to 3pm.

Visit the Fishergate Postern Tower, located near the junction of Piccadilly and Fishergate, for a free talk and an inspection tour lead by The Friends of York Walls.

Enjoy a brief history and tour of the tower before hearing about the plans for its development, and the work of The Friends of York Walls.

Information from 01904 337308

Pre-booking is not required

North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following roads between 11 and 17 January 2012.
•A61, Green Lane, Brearton
•Crowberry Drive, Harrogate
•Woodfield Road, Harrogate
•B6163, Thistle Hill Road, Calcutt
•A61, Green Lane, Brearton
•A59, Beamsley Hill, Harrogate
•Jennyfields Drive, Harrogate
•Skipton Road, Harrogate
•King Edwards Drive, Harrogate
•A61 Leeds Road, Harrogate
•A59, High Street, Starbeck
•Silver Street, Barton
•Leeming Lane, Catterick Village
•A6108, Darlington Rd, Richmond
•A66, Gilling West
•A684, Aysgarth
•A6108, Middleham
•Gatherley Road, Brompton

The mobile safety cameras will be in operation at the above sites at various times during the dates stated. Cameras will not be in use on the above routes all day, every day. The above locations were accurate when this news release was produced.

We understand that the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are holding a meeting tonight to discuss whether food might be grown on part of the Cornlands Park. There hasn’t been much publicity – nor any consultation – on this project so far.

It is unlikely to be a success unless the security and Public Right of Way issues are resolved first.
Plans to divert the public footpath which crosses the park have been under discussion for nearly 2 years without any resolution. The intention had been to secure the park after dark as a counter to the anti social behaviour which sometimes takes place there.

There may be some scope for some sort of allotments on the site but the first priority should be to secure the boundary.

NB. Residents signed an electronic petition on the Councils web site recently asking for action to control access to the park at night.

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We have received details of the toy bus programme. The venues include Sanderson House in Chapelfields, the Foxwood Community Centre in Cranfield Place and the Acomb Hotel in Kingsway West.

How we reported the plans on 15th December

Following the revelation before Christmas on this web site that the Council were set to abandon the Guildhall, opposition to the move is growing. Now Conservative Councillors are reported as joining the Liberal Democrats in questioning the wisdom of abandoning 800 years of tradition.

Labour now claims that it will not sell the building. However it claims large ongoing maintenance costs as the main reason for the move….yet it fails to explain how such costs could be covered if it seeks to lease out the building.

They also claim that full Council meetings will still take place at the Guildhall suggesting that the Council chamber does not form part of any proposed deal.

Once again no public consultation has taken place.

It all looks like more muddle and confusion from an inexperienced team who are grasping at straws as they try to keep their budget plans afloat.

In he background is an unseemly squabble over who gets the biggest office at the new Council HQ on Toft Green.

An undignified start to the York800 celebrations.

January is traditionally the month when the detail of the Councils proposals for the new financial years budget are scrutinised by back bench Councillors. A series of reports is presented to specialist scrutiny committees and they have the chance to examine the implications of the options being considered.
Not so this year, with secrecy still surrounding Labours plans.

The current administration has already shown itself to lack any confidence in its strategy and policies. Hence the almost continual attempt to deflect attention by announcing studies, consultations, focus groups, media photo calls etc.

A final set of proposals is apparently to be presented to the ruling “Cabinet” on 14 February before a recommendation is made to Council on 23 February 2012.

While Taxpayer could not expect a formal announcement of Labours plans for next year until early February, it now looks like there will be no real opportunity for opposition parties to put forward alternatives to whatever budget the “Cabinet” comes up with.

What is already clear is that the reckless spending agreed by Labour when it took control of the authority in May is already beginning to haunt them. Appointing additional salaried Councillors to bogus “Cabinet” positions might have kept the troops content. But now we are already seeing the consequences with local improvement schemes amongst the first to be axed.

Labour’s reliance on Trades Union funding has meant 6 months delay in getting to grips with the escalating costs of providing care services in York. Every days delay means even greater cuts will be required in other services.

Consultation has been minimal. The internet based budget model has been in use for several years but it gives only a top level view of options. Gimmicks like the Fairness Commission provide a distraction n but are no substitute for detailed budget development.

A more confident Council would have involved the local community in the process.

As a result the outlook is bleak and an inexperienced Labour team will only have themselves to blame when angry Taxpayers find they are paying more for a lot less.

Damaged railings on Hamilton Drive reported 3rd Jan

Graffiti on insecure cable box Barkston Road/Barkston Grove reported

Grange Lane gulleys blocked with detritus - Reported

Leaf mulch and verge damage on Acomb Green reported 2nd Jan

If you spot any problems with public service stadrds in the area let us know. Use the “report a problem” links (right or above left)

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An extension to the Poppleton Garden Centre on Northfield Lane (next to the A59) is set to be approved at a planning committee meeting taking place on Thursday. Council officials are recommending approval although the proposal would have to be referred to the Secretary of State for endorsement as it lies within the Green belt.

Agents for the owners have put forward special circumstances which they feel justify the development. These include, “use of some of the land to grow plants for the garden centre, reduced areas of hard standing, increase in employment, rationalisation of buildings, public access to the plant nursery for training and apprenticeships, and absence of harm to the greenbelt”.

There would be an increase of 50 additional staff while retail space would increase by 1553 sq m.
Council officers conclude, “the proposed extensions by virtue of the relatively limited expansion of an existing facility in the greenbelt is not considered to have undue impact on the openness of the greenbelt. The proposed extensions are in keeping with the design of the existing glasshouses. The proposed is not considered to result in a significant increase in traffic to the site. The proposed extension to the garden centre by virtue of the goods sold is not considered to result in a significant impact to the retail ability of the city and district centres.
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The same meeting is being recommended to refuse a planning application which would have seen a bungalow at Brackenhill replaced with a 2 storey house. Brackenhill lies at the north end of Askham Lane, to the west of the A1237 outer ring road. Council officials claim that the increase in size of dwelling would be an inappropriate development in the Green Belt

Police in York have released images of two men they would like to trace following the theft of antiques.

They were caught on camera in the antique shop at about 1.20pm on Saturday 12 November 2011. The men are suspected of forcing open a display case before stealing its contents.

The stolen property includes a 12in silver shell tray, five sets of silver sugar tongs, a rectangular Georgian silver tray, a 0.33 carat diamond ring and two diamond ring each with three stones.

PC Hazel Simms, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who either recognises the men featured in the images or has been offered any property matching the description of the stolen items.

“If you can help with this investigation I ask that you contact the police or Crimestoppers as soon as possible.”

Anyone who can help the police with this enquiry is asked to contact Sergeant Martin Metcalfe of York Police on 101. Press option 2 and ask for Martin Metcalfe by name.

Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number 12110191984.