Tax credit changes will hammer families in York say Lib Dems

Cllr Sue Hunter8,000 families in York will lose out under Conservative plans to cut tax credits.

Figures produced by the House of Commons Library show over three million low-income working families currently in receipt of tax credits will see their entitlement reduced, as part of the Government’s proposals.

Despite claims from the Conservatives that those affected will benefit from plans to increase the minimum wage, the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has said Tory figures don’t stack up. IFS analysis shows a £750 average annual loss for families in York will only be offset by £200 as a result of the new minimum wage.

Liberal Democrats have opposed the move and said it undermines the work of the Coalition Government, to make sure it always pays more to be in work than on benefits.

Cllr Sue Hunter (pictured), Liberal Democrat Councillor for Westfield, said:

“The changes to tax credits will hammer families inYork. The move completely undermines any claim the Tories have of being on the side of working families.

“What makes this even worse is that 12,200 children in our area will now be forced to live in poorer households, reducing their life chances and making it harder for their parents to make ends meet.

“Study after study have shown that the Conservative’s claim to be supporting low income families through a minimum wage increase nowhere near make up for these cuts. It’s time for them to come clean and be honest with those doing the right thing and going out to work.

“I am pleased that Lib Dems are opposing this measure. We worked hard in the Coalition to ensure that work would always pay more than choosing to remain on benefits. It is a disgrace the Conservatives are now undermining this.”

The Lib Dems are currently opposing the plans in the House of Lords: http://www.libdems.org.uk/lib-dems-table-fatal-motion-tax-credits

Day of action in west York leads to a number of arrests

The York West Safer Neighbourhood Team conducted a day of action yesterday, Thursday 15 October 2015.
white-collar-crime-1The enforcement activity took place in the Acomb area of York and the team were supported by York Neighbourhood support team, Road Policing team, Firearms support unit, York Anti-social Behaviour Hub officers and York City Council Neighbourhood Enforcement officers.

A warrant was carried out under the misuse of drugs act at a property on Dringfield Close at around 8am. A 25 year old woman and a 27 year old man were arrested at the property and both have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

A search of a vehicle stopped on Barkston Grove led to the arrest of a 25 year old man from York on suspicion of supplying a class B drug. He has been released on bail.

Subsequent searches at a property in Westfield Place, Acomb, York, led to the arrest of a 23 and 2 4 year old man, both form York, for drugs offences. Both have been released on bail.

A 36 year old man from York was arrested on suspicion of the theft of a cycle on Tadcaster Road.  The cycle has since been returned to its owner and the man has been bailed.

As well as the enforcement activity, officers actively supported the Hate Crime awareness week by attending Acomb library with information and advice about Hate Crime.

In addition, officers attended York College for a dot peen property making event where various items of property were marked and recorded including 45 Cycles.

PC Andy Chapman said:

“North Yorkshire Police is committed to eradicating drug dealing in the city of York.

“The actions of those who choose to sell drugs will not be tolerated and my message to them is – you will be caught.

“The local policing team will continue to undertake days of action as part of our aim to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across the city.”

If anyone has any information about people dealing drugs or anyone wishing to report suspicious activity please contact the Police on 101.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

York sex assault investigation – appeal to trace man in CCTV images

Detectives have issued CCTV images of a man they need to speak to in connection with a sexual assault on a woman at an address in York City Centre.

York sex assault investigation – appeal to trace man in CCTV images

The incident, which is being treated as isolated with no wider concerns for the local community, occurred at around 5am on Friday 2 October 2015.

The victim is being supported by specially trained officers while police enquiries are ongoing to trace the man. Officers are urging him to come forward as he could have important information to assist the investigation. They are also appealing for anyone who recognises the man from the CCTV images to get in touch without delay.

He is described as a white, aged around 20 or 21, of skinny build and has chin-length black hair. The man has a few tattoos, one of which is a distinctive “umbrella with rain drops” on his right bicep area. He also has a tattoo of some writing across his stomach area.

If you can help, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for York Serious Crime Team. Or email SCTYork@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

York sex assault investigation – appeal to trace man in CCTV images 2

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Please quote incident number 12150176353 when providing information about this investigation.

Litter, footpaths, dog fouling, dumping & weeds top residents concerns

Thanks to those living in the Front Street and Hob Moor areas who have been returning the LibDem Focus “grumble” sheets.

So far the most complaints have been about:

  1. Litter
  2. Uneven footpaths
  3. Dog fouling
  4. Dumping
  5. Weeds/bushes obstructing paths

So pretty much basic public service standard issues.

This weekend we’ve moving on to look at services in the Cornlands Road and Askham Lane areas.

We’ve already been out and about this week checking on public service standards in the west of the City. Around 255 issues have been reported via “Fix My Street” including
Dogs have badly fouled the tithe Close snicket

Dogs have badly fouled the Tithe Close snicket

Weeds are still a problem on some footpaths

Weeds are still a problem on some footpaths

Grange Lane park play equipment still needs strimming

Grange Lane park play equipment still needs strimming

Swings damaged on Grange Lane aprk

Swings damaged on Grange Lane park

Full litter bin on Askham Lane reported by Cllr Sheena Jackson

Full litter bin on Askham Lane reported by Cllr Sheena Jackson

Nature area on Bachelor Hill being neglected by York Council

Access footpaths and steps badly eroded.

Access footpaths and steps badly eroded.

The decline in the appearance of Bachelor Hill which started in 2012 seems to have accelerated recently.

3 years ago the Council promised a new abundance of wild grasses and flowers when they began transporting material from a development site in Poppleton.

Detritus pilled up at Tennent Road entrance

Detritus pilled up at Tennent Road entrance

For a while a local friends of Bachelor Hill group struggled to keep the area tidy, but now it is strewn with litter and cans.

The access gates at both the Tennent Road and Askham Lane entrances are broken and obstructed by vegetation.

Bottles cans and litter blight what was to have been a nature conservation area

Bottles cans and litter blight what was to have been a nature conservation area

Footpaths and access steps have been eroded.

In 2013 the Council said that wildflowers would start to germinate that spring. They promised to maintain the area and would continue to cut most of the grass.

In winter a pond usually develops on part of the site.

Askham Lane entrance gate broken

Askham Lane entrance gate broken

We don’t think that the Councils policy of benign neglect is working. There are still security issues on parts of the boundary which need to be addressed while the wildflower meadow is a bit of a let down.

They must do better than this

Latest planning applications for the Acomb and Westfield Wards

Acomb Methodist Church to add 72 square metres (10%) to hall on Front Street.

click to access

Acomb Methodist Church Hall click to access

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards.

———-

Acomb

None

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Westfield

Location:       Acomb Methodist Church Front Street York YO24 3BX

Proposal:       Single storey extensions to sides and rear

Ref No: 15/02252/FUL

Applicant:      Acomb Methodist Church  Contact Mr David Chapman        Consultation Expiry Date        11 November 2015 Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level DEL

——–

 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 beating relative poverty? Latest figures are encouraging

Deprivation map 2015

The latest deprivation statistics which can be viewed on the North Yorkshire open data site reveal that no York neighbourhoods are now ranked among the 10% most deprived in the country.

The Kingsway West area – the subject of an innovative anti poverty initiative by the then LibDem led Council – is one of those that has now climbed up the league table.

Deprivation is measured on a number of indices where 10 is the best that can be achieved.  These are: Income  (Kingsway 2), Employment  (2), Barriers to housing and services (2), Crime (2), Education, skills and training (2), Health and disability (1), Living environment (6), Income affecting children (2), Income affecting older people (2).

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire there are nine deprived areas (in the bottom 10% in the country) in Scarborough, one in Harrogate and one in Selby

Middlesbrough, Knowsley, Kingston upon Hull, Liverpool and Manchester are the five local authority districts with the largest proportions of highly deprived neighbourhoods in England. More details can be found by clicking here

Acomb Wood gets grant from Yorwaste

Acomb WoodThe Friends of Acomb Wood, which which is located between Foxwood and Woodthorpe, are £8393 better off this morning thanks to a grant from local waste management company Yorkwaste.

The company operates the nearby Harewood Whin landfill site and distributes grants each year to local environmental projects.

The Friends of Acomb Wood are a voluntary conservation body which has recently provided improved paths through the wood. 

They have produced an on line album detailing their work. It can be accessed via the following link: http://tinyurl.com/AcombWoodPhoto

The friends group welcome new volunteer helpers and can be contacted on York  (01904)  553392 Email: maryhayward@btinternet.com

Yorwaste has also provided grant for a National railway museum ambulance train project