Action taken on unauthorised estate agent lamppost signs & other issues

We’ve reported unauthorised house agent signs on lampposts in the Green Lane area. We don’t think that local etate agents who pay Business Rates to the York Council – will be too happy with this trick.

Unauthorised lamppost adevrtising

Unauthorised lamppost advertising

Elsewhere we’ve reported blocked gullies and uneven footpaths in Tudor Road

Blocked gully in Tudor Road

Blocked gully in Tudor Road

Uneven footpaths in Tudor Road

Uneven footpaths in Tudor Road

Cllr Andrew Waller has reported several problems with dumping and damaged gullies this week

Broken gully cover Middleton Road

Broken gully cover Middleton Road

Dumping in snicket

Dumping in snicket

Meanwhile Cllr Sheena Jackson has followed up complaints about excessive weed growth in some areas

Weeds on Spindal Close snicket

Weeds on Spindle Close snicket

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

Below are 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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66 Slessor Road York YO24 3JG

Non material amendment to permitted application 13/02384/FUL to increase size of rear extension and add rooflights

Ref. No: 16/01696/NONMAT 

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4 Ridgeway York YO26 5BZ

Two storey front extension and single storey rear extension and replacement of existing garage with new single storey pitched roof building

Ref. No: 16/01684/FUL 

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Christines Nail And Beauty 21 Front Street York YO24 3BW

Installation of door to side extension and removal of door to rear extension

Ref. No: 16/01563/LBC 

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Our Ladys R C Primary School Windsor Garth York YO24 4QW

Variation of condition 2 of permitted application 14/01037/FULM to allow minor revisions to site layout (retrospective)

Ref. No: 16/01536/FULM 

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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

York Police have recognition problem

Only 14% know the name of their neighbourhood Police or Community Support Officer

A survey of residents in the Westfield ward has revealed that only 14% were able to name either their local police or community support officer.

The recognition level is well down on similar survey results from 5 years ago.

There have been a number of changes in the intervening period with fewer local police surgeries being advertised, a reduce d police presence at some resident’s association meetings and declining interest in neighbourhood watch schemes in some areas.

The Police in York have been urged to make more use of the free publicity available on web sites. At the moment there are no events advertised on the Police site and nothing on the Westfield Ward page on the York Council’s own web site.

To their credit the police have been out and about knocking on doors as part of their anti-burglary campaign and security marking of property has been continuing.

In the Westfield Ward crime trends have been following a national pattern which has seen significant increases over the past year.

 The latest figures published on the Police web site ( https://www.police.uk/north-yorkshire/york-west/crime/ ) are for May. During the month there was a spike in reports of problems in the area near the Cornlands Road park.

Most of the reported crimes concerned anti-social behaviour, vandalism and (mostly domestic) violence

In 63% of cases reported during the last year no further action was taken by the Police.

Crime graph May 2016 Crime map May 2016

Finding Dory in York – summer swim sessions

As the summer holidays begin City of York Council is encouraging York’s children to ‘just keep moving’ this summer, with the nationwide interactive family swim sessions and a brand new 10 Minute Shake Up campaign – all inspired by the new Disney·Pixar blockbfind doryuster, Finding Dory.

The campaign from Disney, Change4Life and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) sees the launch of themed family swim sessions at hundreds of pools across the UK as well as new 10 Minute Shake Up activities, in a bid to make exercise fun and help children get the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity they need each day.

The Finding Dory inspired swim sessions, which are co-created with the ASA and run from 22 July until 4 September, will provide an hour of in-water storytelling for the whole family, teaching children key swimming skills as they are taken on a journey with Dory and friends, led by trained instructors.

The Change4Life 10 Minute Shake Ups with Disney are back for a third summer to encourage children to get the 60 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity they need each day with fun 10 minute bursts of activity. For 2016, there are even more interactive Shake Ups than last year, including those inspired by the new Disney·Pixar film, Finding Dory, which set a box office record for an animated film when it opened in the United States in June.

To coincide with the launch of the campaign, Disney, Change4Life and the ASA commissioned a survey of more than 1,000 children aged 5 to 11 and their parents on their attitudes towards physical activity. The survey revealed that three quarters of children aged 5 to 11 (73%) want to do more physical activity, and 56% of children miss taking part in school PE lessons over the summer. Finding ways for their children to be active is a challenge faced by families, with 61% of parents saying they struggle for ideas during the school holidays.

The research showed that more than half of children (55%) said that swimming is one of their favourite ways to keep physically active during the summer holidays.139% of 5 to 11 year olds also said that they would want to go swimming more often if they could go with family members.1

Physical activity helps children build social skills, boost self-confidence, improve bone and heart health and maintain a healthy weight, yet just 21% of boys and 16% of girls currently meet the national recommended level of activity of 60 minutes each day.

Councillor Carol Runciman, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health said: “This is a fantastic initiative to encourage children and families to get active. Increased physical activity can lead to better academic achievement, with improved attention span, behaviour and self-confidence. I would encourage people across the city to sign up”.

City of York Council’s Director of Public Health, Sharon Stoltz said: “In children physical activity is essential for mental and emotional health as well as physical health and a reduced risk of developing chronic conditions in the future.  The 10 Minute Shake Up is a great way to get the city’s children moving this summer!”

Search Change4Life online for Disney and Finding Dory inspired 10 Minute Shake Ups and don’t forget to book your swim session today at www.disney.co.uk/justkeepmoving.