Lowfields on list of possible new mental health hospital sites

After over 4 years of neglect by the York Council, the derelict former Lowfields school site has emerged as one of the options for the location of a new mental health hospital.
Lowfields school site is now overgrown

Lowfields school site is now overgrown

The hospital will replace the obsolescent Bootham Park facility which was forced to close last year following a damming inspectors report.

In total 12 possible locations are being considered by the NHS.

The hospital will cover a wide catchment area so – with limited public transport services available – it is surprising that sites away from the City centre are apparently being considered.

The expectation had been that the new hospital would be built next to the existing facility in Bootham – although the traditional facility at The Retreat might have provided an alternative location.

Consultation meetings have been scheduled by the NHS with the nearest being at The Folk Hall, Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick, on Tuesday 31 May (two events 2.00 – 5.00pm and 5.15 – 7.15 pm).

The NHS trust say,

We are in the early stages of planning for the new facility, which is due to open in 2019, and are inviting people to attend one of four events which are being held in the area.

The workshop style sessions will focus on three main areas – the size and number of beds needed, potential sites for the new hospital and best practice in building design.

Residents had been expecting the latest version of the Local Plan (set to be revealed on 15th June) to confirm that the school site (the footprint of the buildings) would be allocated for the construction of accommodation mainly aimed at older people. The site is ideal for retired people as it is located within walking distance of a full range of facilities in Acomb Village.

Residents were also hoping that any plans to build on the school playing field would finally be quashed. In surveys conducted by local Councillors the majority of residents said that they wanted the field to be retained as open space.

Benefit advice sessions move to Acomb Explore Library

The York Council has announced that residents will be able to receive benefits advice and support at Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre from Monday 6 June.
Cllr Sue Hunter, Cllr Sheena Jackson and Cllr Andrew Waller outside the Acomb Explore Library

Cllr Sue Hunter, Cllr Sheena Jackson and Cllr Andrew Waller outside the Acomb Explore Library

The benefits advice service is moving from the Gateway Centre to Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre on Monday 6 June as part of work to make it easier for residents to access benefits advice.

The Council in 2010 announced plans to make the library a local information and advice hub but the idea was shelved by the Labour controlled Council when it closed the Acomb Housing Office in 2012.

Still it goes to show that good ideas will always rise to the surface.

Residents will be able to drop-in at the weekly sessions between 9am and 3pm (closed between 12.30pm and 1pm) where a trained adviser will be on hand to support residents.

In addition to the weekly sessions, all Explore Library Learning Centre staff will be trained to help residents access welfare benefits information in the coming months. This change means residents will be able to access support and signposting to the best available services from trained staff whilst also continuing to access the internet for free in Explores across the city.

In a media release the Council also says that “the changes come ahead of the upcoming launch of a new online Customer Relationship Management system and personal council accounts for residents ‘My Account’, a smart and responsive online service which will enable residents to access council services anytime anywhere. The system will also provide webchat meaning residents across the city will have access to more advice and support online on a range of areas, including benefits”.

The much promised electronic “My Account” system has been “launched” on 4 separate occasions over the last two years. We think that the Council would be wise to finish refining and testing the new system before becoming too bullish about it in public statements.
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Trees blight Foxwood properties

Overgrown trees prompt security fears

Overgrown trees prompt security fears

Several trees in the Burgess Walk area of Foxwood have grown so large that they are contributing to a security problem. The trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) which were imposed when the estate was built over 30 years ago. At that time the trees – which had formed part of the boundary of a farmers field – were modest in size. Their conservation was viewed as one way of avoiding the bleak and windswept look that many new developments have until new planting establishes itself.

However the trees have continued to grow and now block out both sunlight and the illumination offered by street lamps. The access footpath is therefore unnaturally dark prompting security fears. Parts of the trees regularly drop off – adding to the list of residents concerns.

Some trees are overgrowing the highway and pose a threat for high sided vehicles

Some trees are overgrowing the highway and pose a threat for high sided vehicles

The matter has been discussed by the Foxwood Residents Association who have asked officials to consider  taking action to have the TPOs lifted. This would permit the trees to be lopped or even felled and replaced by a species more appropriate for small sub-urban gardens.

There is a broader issue.

The Council is largely reactive in dealing with problems caused by overgrown trees and bushes. We believe that local wards should have a delegated budget which they can use to manage the stock of trees and bushes in an area. The budget could be used to remove or cut back vegetation which is blocking paths and amenity areas.

It could also be used to ensure that an annual tree planting programme is sustained.

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Elsewhere the trial wildflower bed established on Huntsmans Walk (below) as now been moved to a more rural location. The island has been turfed.

Huntsmans Walk grassed area restored

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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165 Askham Lane York YO24 3JA

First floor side extension

Reference 16/01175/FUL  

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51 St Stephens Road York YO24 3EH

Erection of single storey extension extending 4.2 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.25 metres and a total height of 3.2 metres

Reference  16/01120/LHE

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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

What’s on in York: Walk to Jog

Various Venues : Tue 24 May & Wed 8 Jun :

6.30pm – : £10

May _24Walk 2JogDue to the hugely popular programmes already delivered we have two new ‘Walk 2 Jog’ Courses now available for bookings, including the next step of a 5k to 10k course.

We are running the sequel to Walk to Jog again this year of a 5k to 10k course of 9 weeks. This longer distance course offers ideal progression for anyone wanting to increase their jogging distance.

  • Every Tuesday beginning 24th May at 6.30pm from Rowntree Park.

The course costs £9 for all 9 weeks. Again, that is just £1 per session.

The next Walk 2 Jog is a progressive 10 week programme that will take you from a power walk on week one to a 5km Jog on week ten. The course is designed for all abilities and we welcome all regardless of past experience.

Following the success of current Walk to Jog session in Acomb, we will be running another session. The course details are as follows,

  • Every Wednesday beginning 8th June at 6.30pm from Energise (Acomb), Meeting next to the cycle parking.

The course costs £10 for all ten weeks. That is just £1 per session. Those that complete the course will receive a free t-shirt.

If you would like to participate please contact Hannah via email hannah.higginson@york.gov.uk and include which course you would like to attend.

Action taken on local issues

We’ve been out and about dealing with issues in the Westfield area over the weekend. Generally local services are better then they were 12 months ago with streets tidier, verges trim and most gutters cleaner.

We’ve reported the following issues using the “FixMyStreet” app.

About 2 inches of detritus in one of the gutters in St Stephens Sq. Seems to have been missed by the sweepers (there was a similar problem in Hammerton Close)

About 2 inches of detritus in one of the gutters in St Stephens Sq. Seems to have been missed by the sweepers (there was a similar problem in Hammerton Close)

Detritus on the Tedder Road park footpath

Detritus on the Tedder Road park footpath

Weeds in Tithe Close. We've found several areas where weedkiller has either not been applied or has provided to be ineffective

Weeds in Tithe Close. We’ve found several areas where weed-killer has either not been applied or it has proved to be ineffective

In response to a Freedom of Information request the Council has confirmed the service standards it will be applying this summer.

The standard grass cutting frequency for adopted highways areas is now 10 per year (reduced from 14 a couple of years ago). This can – depending on the weather – result in the grass growing quite high.

Adopted streets include grassed amenity areas such as Kingsthorpe and Otterwood Lane.

The response to the request also revealed that some areas of land owned by the Council – including the area behind the library on Front Street – receive no routine maintenance at all.

The Council currently does not provide details of its service level agreements on its web site.

Customer Contracts – where the Council tells residents what level of service quality to expect –  also fell into disuse several years ago

 

CCTV faults down in York

A few years ago there was widespread concern that CCTV cameras were not being monitored 24/7 in the City.

CCTV cartoonThe latest figures, released by the Council in response to an FOI request, suggest that coverage and reliability is much improved.

There have been no gaps in the rota for manning the monitoring screens this year.

There have been 27 faults reported on individual cameras so far in 2016. The site with the most faults has been that located at the Castle car park.

There are nearly 100 CCTV cameras operational in York. Some are deployed to monitor traffic conditions but the main function of many is to deter crime and assist police in tracking offenders.

An ‘Incident Log’ is a live record maintained by CCTV Operators of any incidents that they have actively been involved in and taken action on. The overwhelming majority of these incidents are related to potential crimes or police-related activity.  

During the last 12 months period, there have been 5766 relevant incidents.

Looking at the two cameras located in the Westfield Ward (Bramham Road & Front Street/York Road), 136 incidents were monitored

The incidents involved:

  • ASB (Anti-Social Behaviour)
  • Disqualified Driver
  • OPL (Drunk Drivers)
  • Shop Theft
  • Missing Persons
  • Robbery
  • Assault
  • Drunk and Disorderly
Both Front Street and Bramham Road remain as anti social behaviour blackspots.