New bus shelter (left) Temporary bus stop still in use (right)
Good to see that the replacement bus shelter in Ascot Way has finally arrived. It was supposed to be available from the autumn when the adjacent building works were completed. Looks very tidy.
The actual bus stop has not yet been moved back to its original location and is still located round the corner.
Disappointing to see that the Ashford Place street sign has not been realigned. It continues to point to part of Windsor Garth. It was reported for attention over 2 months ago. Similarly potholes on Ashford Place itself – also reported some time ago – have still not been marked up for attention.
Foxwood Community Centre wildflower garden
Better news in Foxwood where volunteers have planted up wildflowers as part of a campaign to help pollinators (bees etc.). Good display now outside the community centre and in part of the Foxwood park.
Join us this May half term as we able to offer 4 park sessions for local children to enjoy. Fun, engaging, multi activity sessions based in the local Parks and green spaces.
Designed to help keep you fit and active during the school holidays, with each participant receiving a free drink and snack at each session. These sessions have been made possible through Ward Committee funding who we would like to thank for their continued support.
Booking is essential with limited availability. Please see each individual link below to book on an event.
Event 1 – Westfield Primary Community School
When: Wednesday 2nd June Time: 10:00 – 11:30
Where: Westfield Primary Community School, Askham Ln, YO24 3HP
About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink
Cost: Free of charge To Book please click here Note: Advance booking is essential.
Event 2 – Woodthorpe Green Play Area
When: Wednesday 2nd June Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm
Where: Woodthorpe Green Play Area, Summerfield Rd, YO24 2RU.
About: Free fun for 5 years and upwards. Includes a free snack and drink
The easing of lockdown restrictions offers the Council an opportunity to try to restore public service standards at least to the level seen in previous, pre-pandemic, years.
Some services are under particular pressure with potholes taking far too long to fill in.
Potholes in Ashford Place, reported several months ago, have still not been filled
Similarly estate management standards have fallen. At this time of year a regular checks needs to be made to ensure that roads and paths are not blocked and that access road surfaces are kept clear of moss and detritus.
Access roads need to be kept free of obstructions
One of the reasons for the decline may be the failure of the Council to fill three of its Housing Management posts. These are the posts that manage individual Council housing estates. They are very much the public face of the Council in their local neighbourhoods.
At least one of the posts has been vacant since last year.
Yet it does not appear among the 57 job vacancies currently being advertised by the Council, none of which are in the housing department. City of York Council Jobs (click)
Simon Daubeney clean up at Foxwood shops
Lack of budget cannot be an excuse for inaction . The housing account makes a surplus of several million pounds each year.
Elsewhere, local Councillor Simon Daubeney undertook a welcome clean up at the Foxwood shops on Saturday.
He will have found and reported the overturned salt bin.
The area has been subject recently to increased levels of vandalism.
The residents association have suspended maintenance of the planters following damage to the plants.
A Great British Spring Clean litter pick is scheduled to take place on Saturday 12th June.
It is disappointing to see that some potholes – many deep enough to pose a hazard for cyclists – are not being filled in quickly by the Council.
Residents were told that an additional pothole filling team would reduce the time taken to deal with this issue, but apparently this isn’t the case.
We hope that the Council is on top of seasonal issues with path side nettles and thorn bushes. These are a hazard for pedestrians. They need to be treated before they obstruct public footpaths
We understand that the uneven road surface on Askham Lane, near its junction with the A1237 roundabout, will be resurfaced overnight on the 2nd and 3rd of June.
The Council is set to allocate a plot on its Lowfields development for new residential facilities for people with learning difficulties.
The Councils “forward plan” summaries a proposal which would see “specialist accommodation built for 6 adults with a learning disability who have dementia and 6 other adults.
In addition to the 12 units, there will be up to 6 cluster flats for the first steps into independent living. The building of these units will enable a pathway through specialist supported accommodation for adults with a learning disability.
There will be staff on site 24/7.
The proposed site for this specialist accommodation is the Public Service Plot at Lowfield Green”.
The Councils Executive will be asked, at a meeting which is being held on on 24th June, to agree the specialist accommodation, the procurement of a housing provider to build the accommodation and a support provider to deliver the care and support element.
The public service building is located near to the Dijon Avenue entrance to the site
The public building was originally advertised as the location for a health centre and police station. After planning permission was granted, the Council jettisoned both of those proposed uses.
This is the original plan for the site published by the Council in 2017
The action group operating in the area is currently concerned about the dust and noise emanating from the site.
They are also anxious that the promised 3 year delivery timetable for the whole project will be extended with disruption continuing for several more years.
At least the plan to provide more specialist housing will remove one of the unknowns from the development plan.
