Street cleansing problems highlighted at meeting
Carbon emission sources in York revealed
It appears that a meeting held 2 days ago was given a table showing estimated carbon emission levels for various activities in York.
The table has only today been published to residents by the York Council.
As it turns out the latest figures available are from 2016. The world has changed a lot in the last 3 years.
The table reveals that the biggest source of CO2 emissions in the City is domestic heating. This will hearten those who have supported the adoption of “Passivhaus” high insulation standards in homes.
There is an opportunity for the Council to make a real difference here as improved home insulation also disproportionately benefits poorer residents by reducing energy bills. We look forward to seeing a project plan with identified milestones.
A Press article today highlighted diesel trains as an emissions threat. In reality, they account for less than 1% of all local emissions.
CO2 emissions, per capita, substantially reduced in York during the 11 years that were monitored.
Over 30 employers and training providers at fourth annual Acomb Jobs Fair
Around 250 visitors are expected to visit Acomb Jobs Fair next month, where they will have the chance to meet over 30 employers and training providers from local areas.
Held at Acomb Parish Church Hall, 18A Front St, YO24 3BZ, on Wednesday 6 November between 10am and 2pm, the free event brings together employers, employment support agencies, education and training providers to offer local people job opportunities, information and advice
The fair is aimed at those looking for employment, considering a change of job or career and those who would like to develop new skills and gain new qualifications, ahead of York Business Week 11-15 November.
The event is funded by 4Community Growth and organised by City of York Council and York Learning in partnership with Job Centre Plus.
Newsletter published by Foxwood Residents
Fall-out from Balloon Fiesta noise complaints
The Council has admitted that it received a lot of complaints about noise levels experienced during the Balloon Fiesta which took place on the Knavesmire at the end of September.
The noise complaints didn’t relate to the balloons themselves (which mostly failed to get off the ground because of weather conditions).
The event was organised by Events and Attractions Limited, a York based company.
Officials of the Council firmly put the blame for lack of control on the premises license holder for the Knavesmire. This they identify as “Make it York”.
Make it York is the secretive QUANGO set up by the Council several years ago to run tourism and promotional events in the City.
Make it York were apparently told that a statutory noise nuisance was witnessed by Council officials over weekend of the 27th and 28th September.
According to an email seen by a local Councillor,
“Make it York were asked to provide details of how they were going to prevent any further recurrences of noise nuisance from events at the Knavesmire and they have, as a result, submitted an application for a minor variation to the existing premises licence. This application requests that an additional condition is added to the existing premises licence and will require Make it York to submit a noise management plan for approval by City of York Council within two months of the licence being varied. Once approved the noise management plan would be implemented immediately for any events held on the Knavesmire and operated under the premises licence”.
“It is anticipated that any submitted noise management plan will identify all potential noise sources associated with events taking place on the and provide details on strategies which will be implemented to minimise the disturbance caused to residents from those sources, especially those activities where amplified music is involved. It is also anticipated that any submitted noise management plan will also detail methods for monitoring and controlling the noise and how Make it York will respond to any noise complaint received in the future.
As a result of the above it is the view of officers in Public Protection that such a condition should, if implemented correctly and adhered to, result in any noise from events taking place on the Knavesmire, and operated under the premises licence, being reduced to a satisfactory level such that it shouldn’t cause any further noise nuisance”.
The issue comes to a head at a difficult time for tourism support organisations in the region. “Welcome to Yorkshire” had to sack their Chief Executive following allegations of extravagance. The organisation subsequently had to be bailed out by taxpayers with a new Chairman promising more transparency in the future.
“Make it York” is likely to be subject to similar calls.
It receives a substantial taxpayer subsidy, but its meetings are held behind closed doors.
The only sliver of accountability comes through brief and infrequent updates to a Council committee. The Council nominates two representatives to the Make it York 12 person Board (currently Cllrs Mason and Taylor)
According to the organisation’s web site, “The current turnover of Make It York is around £4.8 million per annum, generated commercially from a range of revenue sources. Other than any dividends payable to the Shareholder, any surplus is invested back into the city.
With respect to its corporate structure, Make It York is a private limited company limited by shares and has an independent Board of Directors.
Its sole Shareholder is City of York Council”
Councillor revives threat to number 12 bus service
“Use it or lose it” message for bus service users from transport chief
Just days after the number 12 bus service was reprieved, residents are being urged to make full use of it after falling passenger numbers left the long-term future of one section of its route in jeopardy.
Service 12 runs between Foxwood, the city centre and Monks Cross, but the section of the route between Alness Drive and Foxwood Lane has suffered a decline in patronage, This summer, bus operator First York announced its intention to withdraw the service that it provides along that section of the route on the basis that it is no longer commercially viable.
However, City of York Council stepped in to provide the funding required to continue operating the service in its entirety, but only up until 31 January, 2020. This will allow time for a tendering process to be carried out in a bid to find the most cost-effective, long-term solution. A decision about the future of the service will be made once that process is complete.
Councillor Andy D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport, said: “It’s positive that the council has agreed to provide the funding needed to ensure that bus service 12 can continue to operate between Alness Drive and Foxwood Lane in the short-term but, as we work to identify a longer-term solution, it’s really important that local people make full use of the service.”
We think that the threat is ill timed. Details of the reprieved service weren’t generally circulated until over a week after the decision was taken.
Bus stop timetables similarly weren’t undated.
We think that Council should get its own house in order before preaching to passengers, many of whom are vulnerable.
Residents anger over Council plan to remove security railings
Local residents in Lowfields are objecting to plans to remove the railings which protect their garden boundaries.
The plan by the Council to replace the railings was first revleaed on tyhis site at the weekend.
According to their Facebook site, the Lowfields Residents Action Group is leading a campaign to get the Council to consult neighbours on their plans.
Their main concerns are about the appearance of a new fence, its impact on the natural environment, damage to existing landscaping and the money which would be wasted if the existing railings – which are in good condition – were junked.
Separately the Council has announced today that it will commence construction work on the site in two weeks time.
It is writing to residents telling them about a consultation meeting which is taking place next week and which will involve the Wates building contractors
The Residents Group has responded saying, “We think this is pretty short notice for a consultation event.
The letter includes an evasive reference to “Yorspace” who we understand are still struggling to find funding for their communal living site.
It also pointedly doesn’t admit that the Council have failed to find a developer for their proposed elderly persons care home.
Nothing more either, on the public buildings (Health Centre and Police station) which seem less and less likely now to happen.
This means that there is no chance of building work on the whole site being finished within 2 years”.
Progress on unearthing traffic islands
We reported earlier in the summer that several traffic island had become overgrown. This was partly due to an accumulation of silt. It appears that the islands were not being hand-swept.
The Council is now beginning to catch up with a programme aimed at clearing the islands of detritus. Those on Foxwood Lane, for example, are now looking tidy.
A more structured approach to street cleansing is needed though as some islands, including those on the A1237, are not being routinely cleansed
Elsewhere the Foxwood Residents Association is set to discuss street cleansing standards in their neighbourhood at their monthly meeting which is being held tomorrow. Residents have questioned whether the sweeping frequencies, promised by the Council on its web site, are actually being undertaken.
Bothered by unwanted sales telephone calls?
Anti scam campaign by North Yorkshire Police. This seems like a good idea
Nearly 50% of all frauds reported to North Yorkshire Police, the initial contact between the fraudster and victim is via the telephone.
You would not dream of going of leaving your house or car without making sure it was secure, so in this day and age why would you have a telephone that does not have call screening or call blocking functions?
Put a stop to these calls and become #ScamAware with a free trueCall call blocker from Friends Against Scams
Apply today at: www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk/CallBlocker
…..another garage area tidied up
The Council have removed weeds and overhanging branches from the little Green Lane garage area. We had asked for the work to be done earlier in the summer when the area was becoming overgrown.
We hope that in future the area will be routinely kept clear of weeds, detritus and obstacles.
