What’s on in York: Get Online Week 2017
Get Online Week 2017 : “Try One Thing” Digital Drop In
Huntington Library :
Mon 2 Oct :
10.00am – 12.00pm :
Free
Drop-in to get help with any of your digital queries.
For more information click here.
Get Online Week 2017 : Discover Music, Film & TV Online
Clifton Explore Library :
Mon 2 Oct :
2.30pm – 3.30pm :
Free
A guide to the best ways of streaming online films, TV and music.
For more information click here.
Muse Hack
York Explore Library :
Mon 2 Oct – Mon 27 Nov :
5.30pm – 7.30pm :
Free
Explore, create, tinker and design. Get stuck into all manner of digital maker tools and tech and learn some coding along the way.
For more information click here.
Get Online Week 2017 : An Introduction to iPad Safety
Tang Hall Explore Library
Tues 3 Oct
10.00am – 11.00am
Free
A guide to iPad safety and security.
For more information click here.
Get Online Week 2017 : An Introduction to Android Safety
Tang Hall Explore Library :
Tue 3 Oct :
11.00am – 12.00pm :
Free
A guide to Android safety and security.
For more information click here.
Get Online Week 2017 : Discover Cloud Storage
New Earswick Library :
Tue 3 Oct :
2.00pm – 3.00pm
A guide to the using the best Cloud Storage services.
For more information click here.
Get Online Week 2017 : “Try One Thing” Digital Drop In
New Earswick Library :
Tue 3 Oct :
3.15pm – 4.15pm :
Free
Pop along to ask your burning digital questions. Our experts will be on hand to provide tailored support and inspire you to “try one thing” online.
For more information click here
Get Online Week 2017 : Discover Google Services
Acomb Explore Library
Wed 4 Oct
1.00pm – 2.00pm
Free
A guide to Google’s many online services.
For more information click here.
Get Online Week 2017 : Minecraft for Parents & Carers
York Explore Library
Thu 5 Oct
12.30pm – 1.30pm
Free
A guide to enjoying Minecraft with children you care for.
For more information click here.
Get Online Week 2017 : Discover Cloud Storage
Haxby Library at Oaken Grove Community Centre
Fri 6 Oct
10.00am – 11.00am
Free
A guide to the using the best Cloud Storage services.
For more information click here.
Bingo proves to be a big success at Foxwood Community Centre
Bingo night at Foxwood Community centre
Cllrs Waller, Jackson and Fenton at the bingo
The last of the current season of Bingo nights at the Foxwood Community centre was a big hit last night
The event was a sell out prompting calls for a new season to be scheduled next year.
Next up at the centre is Line Dancing (see below)
Speed check results for St Stephens Road
Speed checks have been carried out on St Stephens Road following complaints from local residents.
The road has a 20 mph speed limit.
The checks revealed a mean (average) speed of 23/21 mph.
The “85%ile” speeds were 27/26.
(The “85%ile” removes the highest 7.5% and lowest 7.5% of speeds recorded and is generally thought to be the speed limit that a typical driver will respect).
Although the speeds are above the current limit they are fairly typical of sub-urban roads. As we have seen elsewhere, the 20 mph limit has had little impact on driver behaviour.
The mean speeds of course may disguise a small number of drivers who may be exceeding the speed limit by a large margin, but the police do not have the resources to routinely deploy to address this possibility.
The authorities say that the street may be suitable for use of “Community Speed Watch”. This is a system operated by local residents, but it would require suitable volunteers to come forward.
Advanced warning of Askham Lane/The Green road closure to allow for resurfacing work
Much needed repairs on the link from Askham Lane to The Green are scheduled to take place on 16th/17th October
Askham Lane/The Green roadworks planned
Meanwhile, not for the first time, we have reported excessive litter near the Foxwood shops bus shelter (below).
Foxwood Lane bus shelter 28th September 2017
Traffic lights set to be upgraded at Carr Lane and Thanet Road
Ageing traffic lights at the junction of York Road with Carr Lane and the Thanet Road crossing near Foxwood Lane are set to be upgraded next month. Work will start on both sites on Monday 2 October.
The lights at the junction of York Road and Carr lane will be fully refurbished. The crossing will also be widened to better meet current safety standards.
The Thanet Road crossing near Foxwood Lane will see the separate pedestrian / cyclist crossing replaced with a shared Toucan crossing. The footpath and cycleway near to the crossing will also be relayed.
Local safety scheme work will also take place alongside this including installing a raised traffic table which will be added to the crossing along with speed cushions in the area to help reduce the speed of vehicles using the road.
Work at the York Road crossing will take place between 7.30am – 5.30pm, Monday – Friday and 9 am – 3pm on Saturdays. Evening work will take place on Monday 9 October and Thursday 12 October from 6pm – 11pm. Three-way traffic management will be in place at the junction during the works. Full access will be retained to all properties during construction.
Work at the Thanet Road crossing will take place between 7.30am – 5.30pm, Monday – Friday and 8am – 3pm Saturdays. Traffic management will be in place at the junction of Thanet Road / Foxwood Lane during the works. A controlled crossing will be provided during construction to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road safely.
Thanet Road will be closed between Foxwood Lane and St James Place on 22 October for the installation of the raised traffic table. Additional road closures will be in place on 6 and 7 November to install the speed cushions.
As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption. Residents are assured that everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum, however buses that normally use this street will be diverted and motorists should expect some delays and plan their journey accordingly.
The five year traffic signal asset renewal programme was given the green light by the councillor responsible for transport and planning in November 2015 at a public meeting.
The total replacement programme will cost £2.620m over six years and will be funded through the capital programme budget and the existing Local Transport Plan budget.
For information about bus diversions during the works visit: www.itravelyork.info/
“Good Gym” finish off Foxwood community centre garden work
The “Good Gym” team returned to Foxwood yesterday and tidied up the side of the community centre. Previously the team had worked in the Foxwood Park.
Both areas are now much improved thanks to this voluntary work
Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward
Below is the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.
Full details can be found by clicking the words highlighted in blue
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10 Rylatt Place York YO26 5DD
Single storey side and rear extension
Reference 17/02231/FUL
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211 Hamilton Drive West York YO24 4PL
Single storey side extension and detached shed (resubmission)
Ref. No: 17/02181/FUL
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1 Tudor Road York YO24 3AY
Two storey side extension, 1.8m high sliding entrance gate and boundary fencing
Ref. No: 17/02109/FUL
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251 Thanet Road York YO24 2PE (Dringhouses Ward – next to Lidl car park)
Outline application for erection of 2no. dwelling
Ref. No: 17/01934/OUT
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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site. http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/
The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received
Delays in building Oakhaven care home replacement.
The Council are saying that the opening of the replacement for the Oakhaven care home on York Road will be delayed until the end of 2019 “at the earliest”.
The existing home was closed in 2015 and most recently was used as a homeless hostel.
Bed availability trends
A Council report reveals that there will still be a shortfall in residential care places for the elderly of 654 by 2020. This is slightly down on the inherited shortfall of 701.
“Extra Care” facilities – like those planned for Oakhaven – should reduce the excess of demand over supply from 330 to 9 by 2020.
The number of care beds available has remained fairly level over recent years while the number of delayed discharges from hospital (so called “bed blocking”) remains high as the winter approaches.
The report blames the Councils “partner” for the delays at Oakhaven.
“The delivery of this scheme is running later than originally planned as this procurement was launched later than anticipated due to lengthier examination of the procurement and legal options associated with the plan.
Further delays have occurred as Ashley House develop their design.
At present, we would expect completion of the building, subject to grant of planning permission, in Q3 2019 at the earliest”.
On the Lowfields Plans the report says,
“Plans for the development of a care home, health hub, homes (including bungalows and apartments for the over 55s) and public open space at Lowfield Green, in their final draft form, were the subject of further public engagement in July.
Engagement has shown support for the proposed development.
Lowfields school site is overgrown
However, there is strong objection to the development from the Save Lowfields Playing Field Action Group.
We will be ready to submit the planning application for this proposed development in September 2017.
Later in the autumn Executive will be asked to decide if we are to build the new homes ourselves or sell the land so that another developer can do so”.
NB. Opposition to the development at Lowfields centres around the houses planned for the playing field. The elderly persons accommodation proposals enjoy broad support as they are to be built on the “footprint” of the old school buildings.
“Meet on the bridge” plan as Councillors seek residents views on Green Lane trees
A few weeks ago Westfield Councillors asked residents to fill out a short survey. The survey asked about attitudes to the height and width of the trees which grow in the verges in (little) Green Lane.
While there was a mixed response, the vast majority of residents asked for at least some maintenance work to undertaken on the trees.
There were complaints that the trees blocked both natural and street lighting or interfered with communications wires.
Some residents pointed to excessive leaf fall in the autumn. Some felt that this was responsible for blockages on the street drainage systems.
To make progress on the matter local Councillors have organised a public “on site” meeting.
It will take place on the bridge near the school entrance at 5:45pm on Tuesday 26th September. The results will be 
discussed at the meeting which is taking place later the same day at which a tree expert will be present.
The Council will be undertaking some work on trees on the west of the City during the autumn and the Ward committee has a small budget available which could be used to supplement this programme