No show on Lendal Post office scheme

The group of residents wanting to set up a “Neighbourhood Forum” and draw up a “Neighbourhood Plan” covering Acomb and Westfield have withdrawn their proposal.

The about turn came less than 48 hours before the proposal was due to be determined by the York Council.

Consultation on the proposal had taken over 3 months to conclude and had cost several thousands of pounds in advertising and staff costs. These costs will have to be borne by taxpayers.

In addition, resident’s groups and individuals spent a lot of abortive time responding to the proposal.

It became clear several weeks ago that the proposal – which was labelled as “too big” to meet government guidelines – had little local support from residents.

It is possible that alternative proposals, covering perhaps the historic Acomb Front Street area, may emerge. Another possibility is for a plan for an area including the Acomb Ward and adjacent open spaces within the A1237 boundary.

Either way, the Council may in future wish to ask for a deposit to cover the cost of any work, that it has undertaken on a proposal, if it is withdrawn before it reaches the decision stage!

Lendal Post Office

Earlier in the week, the Council considered a proposal from the Guildhall Labour Party that the, now redundant, Lendal Post Office building be registered as an asset of community value. This would have allowed residents to have first option to buy the building (before it went onto the open market).

Council officials explained that the building did not meet the legal test for listing. Nevertheless, the proposal was pursued to a decision meeting.

None of the supporters of the listing turned up at the meeting and so the proposal then fell.

Another example of using scarce taxpayers’ resources unnecessarily.

The money would be better spent on improving street level public services.