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Public meeting to discuss future of Windsor House site

Plans for Centre of Excellence for Disabled Children

Windsor House which would be demolished under the plans

Residents are being invited to give their views at a Westfield ward meeting being held on 15th January 2018. The meeting is being held at Hob Moor school with the Windsor House item being discussed from 7:30pm

No details are given of access arrangements. There are concerns that any intensification of the use of the Windsor House site on Ascot Way, would exacerbate traffic congestion and parking problems in the area.

A decision on whether to proceed with the centre idea is due to be taken at a Council executive meeting being held on 25th January 2018

A special website gives more details of the disability centre plans.

Disability Centre of Excellence Monthly Updates

What we have done

  • Final feasibility design, layout and site options have been presented by Gilling Dod Architects to a group of key staff, managers, parent / carers and partner agencies.
  • A potential land option for the Centre of Excellence has been agreed by Council Executive in December. This is the site of Windsor House Older Person Accommodation, which is planned to close. This land is adjacent to the Hob Moor Oaks Special School playing fields. Discussions are taking place with Hob Moor Federation of Schools about co locating part of the new provision and its outdoor amenities and space on some of the surplus playing field land.
  • A report is being prepared for the Council Executive meeting on 25th January 2018. This report will ask Elected Members to commit the capital needed to build a Centre of Excellence for Disabled Children and their families and seek agreement for the preferred site layout
  • The report also contains information about how staffing roles and structures will develop in the future in order to deliver a new way of working within a Centre of Excellence.

What we plan to do next

  • We will communicate the decision following the meeting on 25th January to parent /carers, staff and partner agencies.
  • If there is agreement to progress the project to an implementation phase, we will continue to adopt a co production approach of involving parent /carer, staff, children and young people and partner agencies in each stage of the future development.
  • Finally, hope you all have a great Christmas and new year. Thank you all for your time, energy, enthusiasm, ideas and input that has helped shape and develop this project to the stage we are at now.

 How you can be involved

Please send ideas, questions, feedback to feasibility@york.gov.uk

For more information please contact william.shaw@york.gov.uk

Keep checking web pages for the latest information and areas that we are working on that we want feedback on

Better news for Lincoln Court

Lincoln Court

Elderly residents of sheltered accommodation units at Lincoln Court can expect the building to be modernised next year,.

Top of the priority list is new windows although a  general uplift is also needed.

The building was discussed yesterday at the Councils Executive committee meeting which decided to close the adjacent Windsor House elderly persons home.

The two buildings share a heating system.

Residents of Lincoln Court had been left in suspense while Council officials consulted about closure plans but it now seems that the future of the sheltered accommodation is secure.

A report on the future of the Windsor House site is expected early next year. One is suggestion is that a “centre of excellence” for disabled people should be built there.

The Council will first have to address chronic traffic congestion and parking problems in the Kingsway West/Ascot Way/Windsor Garth area.

 

Future of Windsor House site being discussed

Proposal for Centre of Excellence for Disabled Children

Windsor House

A report is being discussed next week which is expected to result in confirmation of plans to close the Windsor House elderly persons home on Ascot Way. The proposal was first discussed in September and now Council officials are reporting back on the discussions that they have had with residents, their relations and staff.

5 residents have recently moved out leaving 17 to find new homes. The Council says that there is currently a good supply of alternative accommodation options available including Glen Lodge.

The care home has 33 staff in total, the majority of who work part time.

The main criticism of the closure relates to timing. Promised modern elderly care facilities on the west of the City will not be available for 2 or 3 years.

Lincoln Court

Hedges blocked view and light from Lincoln Court flats in the summer

Considerable concerns have been expressed by residents of the adjacent Lincoln Court sheltered development.

These self-contained flats which include some communal space, are not included in the closure plans. However, the building has been allowed to deteriorate recently. Window frames are rotten, while an ongoing criticism has been about poor management of parking facilities.  Some boundary hedges weren’t cut in the summer, effectively isolated the elderly residents from the rest of the community.

York must do better in the way that it treats its tenants at Lincoln Court. They need to be given

assurances about the future of their flats as well as a date when modernisation works will commence.

The future of the Windsor Garth site

The Council has unveiled what seems to be a caring and imagination use for the Ascot Way site when the existing buildings have been demolished.

The report describes a possible state of the art facility for disabled children

 

“Should Windsor House close, the site could be redeveloped as the location for the Centre of Excellence for Disabled Children and their Families, for housing or sold.”

Just as society doesn’t always treat the elderly as well as it should, the same could be said of people with disabilities. The principle of the proposed facility would therefore be welcome.

However, there are two significant issues to be addressed before any further development is considered in this neighbourhood.

Traffic congestion and lack of off street parking are now major problems.

They have worsened since 66 additional homes were built on the Hob Stones site and were exacerbated by the Council decision not to let the garages in Newbury Avenue pending the redevelopment of that site. The two issues are linked with inadequate “on street” parking space making access difficult even for the bus service.

There have been calls to introduce a “one way” system or even reopen the second access from Kingsway West.

Whatever the solution may be, one must be found before any development takes place which could further increase vehicle movements in the area.

Council set to sell Castlegate property for £431,250

Castlegate

The former youth advice centre premises at 29 Castlegate are set to be sold to the York Conservation Trust for over £431,000.

The building was the centre of a controversy three years ago when the Council seemed to be set on moving the youth advice service to unsuitable premises at West Offices in order to force a sale.

That issue now seems to have been resolved leaving the building – which is adjacent to Fairfax House  – empty.

The York Civic Trust intend to expand their Fairfax House operations into the building

A council report says that the open market valuation of the property is £575,000 but the discount can be justified by the new use for the building which will stimulate tourism and education visits to the City and its nearby attractions.

The new owners face bills of around £40,000 for repairs and redecoration of the property over the next 5 years.

It is expected that around £2.8 million will be invested in Fairfax House  and the adjacent building. The work will include providing full disabled access facilities.

This seems to be a  satisfactory solution to an issue which was surrounded in secrecy when considered by the last Council administration.

 

 

The week that was in pictures 11th Dec 2016

Week started with the annual Foxwood Christmas market

Week started with the annual Foxwood Christmas market

90% of Hob Stones residents had moved int their new homes on Windsor Garth. Some road repairs had been completed although work on the amenity area was outstanding

90% of Hob Stones residents have now moved into their new homes on Windsor Garth. Some road repairs had been completed although work on the amenity area was outstanding earlier in the week.

I

Issues reported included a damaged junction box on Tudor Road, weed growth on Gale Lane, a full bin on Bellhouse Way and outstanding road repairs on Windsor Garth

Residents seeking to conserve the Lowfields playing field were rebuffed by the Council leadership at a meeting on Wednesday. However the battle goes on. Other parts of the City are awaking to the possible loss of other playing fields. A meeting on 19th December will hear pleas for the playing field at the former Manor school site to be brought back into public use while a Parish Council is seeking to make the fields at Osbaldwick school an asset of community value.

Residents seeking to conserve the Lowfields playing field were rebuffed by the Council leadership at a meeting on Wednesday. However the battle goes on. Other parts of the City are awaking to the possible loss of other playing fields. A meeting on 19th December will hear pleas for the playing field at the former Manor school site to be brought back into public use while a Parish Council is seeking to make the fields at Osbaldwick school an “asset of community value”.

aw-and-rotary-defib

Cllr Andrew Waller met volunteers from the Rotary Club who were collecting donations to help purchase a defibrillator

... while Andrew also reported what we hope will be the last of the problems with leaf-fall around the area.

… while Andrew also reported what we hope will be the last of the problems with leaf-fall around the area.

-- replacing leaves will no doubt be problems with ice, although these carvings proved to be a big draw in the city centre yesterday

— replacing leaves will no doubt be problems with ice, although these carvings proved to be a big draw in the city centre yesterday

packed-york

The City was packed on Saturday with all car parks full. Unfortunately the Council refused to unlock areas like the Reynards garage site which could have been used to help disabled drivers find a space.

..and into the evening with Handals Messiah attracting a record attendance at the Minster.

..and into the evening with Handel’s Messiah attracting a record attendance at the Minster.

The shipping containers are coming – shock as “Containergate” shopping plan gets Council leadership backing

New proposal for Castle car park development

Sea containers to be parked on Piccadilly?

Shipping containers to be parked on Piccadilly

The York Council’s Executive has tonight approved plans to site shipping containers on Piccadilly.  They will form a shopping and business centre on the former Reynard’s garage site and could be there for 3 years.

Guildhall ward Labour and Green Councillors supported the proposal!

The project is subject to planning approval.

Normally residents would expect the Planning committee to throw out such an insensitive plan. They did insist that landscaping be improved around the  same site when permission was granted to demolish the garage building a year or so ago.

However, the committee’s recent decision to approve a poor quality visitor centre building, at a nearby Clifford’s Tower site, means that they cannot be relied on to protect this part of the City.

The Executive’s decision means that the short term plans to use the Piccadilly site as a car park for blue badge (disabled) drivers is unlikely to be progressed.

santa-in-container-in-york

New Castle car park development plan

New plans for the development of the Castle car park have been announced. They have been inspired by the emerging shipping container architectural movement as well as the English Heritage public convenience school of design

cliffords-tpwer-and-new-building

Prominent York residents and organisations have had their say on the plans.

  • English Heritage – The vertical columns ideally complement the similar design feature on our visitor centre. The Maersk elevations offer a complex counterpoint to the Norman buttresses on the Castle. All in all, something we would be proud of.
  • R Cooke (Author, Changing the Face of the City) – An impressive example of neo-Immingham brutalism.  Helicopter pads should remove need for direction signs. May require some refinement and relocation to Rotterdam
  • York Georgian Society – The containers are only acceptable if they have previously been used to transport molasses or slaves.
  • Walter Brierley (architect, deceased) – Just a minute I need to rotate a few times
  • Rachel Rascal (MP) – Hang on I’ll have to check. How big is the bandwagon of the opponents of the plan? How many wheels does the supporters bandwagon have? ……..  Oh dear this is a bit difficult.
  • C Steward (Con) – Ruddy liberals. mention mutual social enterprise and they’ll all over it.
  • N Ayre (Lib) – It is wonderfully intrusive. A little higher and it would block out that ghastly Cathedral building.

Celebrating Ability event showcases local disability sports at Energise

Celebrating Ability is set to welcome disabled sports enthusiasts to a two day event offering an exciting range of sports, activities, games and fun sessions.

Uncertain future for popular Energise leisure centre

Uncertain future for popular Energise leisure centre

The event showcases sport and physical activity for disabled people. It is hosted by City of York Council to encourage more residents into sport and highlight the all year round opportunities available within the city’s strong disability sport sector.

Numerous activities are available for all ages and abilities, including football, table tennis, gym sessions, cricket, tennis, swimming, wheelchair basketball and powerchair football. The council has partnered with over a dozen local clubs and organisations to deliver these taster sessions.

York City Knights Foundation and Community Spirit, have recently launched inclusive clubs, who will be there for the first time to offer rugby and archery respectively and all organisations will be happy to talk about opportunities to continue the sport in York.

On Tuesday 30 August the event will be held at Energise from 10am to 3pm, with a charge of £3.90 per participant.BaloonVolleyball

Activities on Wednesday 31 August take place at York St John University Sports Hall from 9.30am to 2.30pm. Morning sessions are aimed at those who are Deaf or hearing impaired (BSL interpreters are available) and afternoon activities are for those who are Visually impaired.

Challenges will be set for both days for those who want a chance to win a Celebrating Ability medal. Advance booking is not required except for climbing at Energise.

Celebrating Ability is also hosting a short training event at York St John University on Wednesday 31 August, 2.30pm to 5pm (£10) for support workers, parents, carers, healthcare professionals, volunteers, teachers and community groups and organisations. The inclusive training session will develop knowledge, competence and confidence in delivering sports-based activities to disabled people of all ages and help develop the quality of sports opportunities in the city.
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Current York Council consultations

Licensing variations

DrunksA consultation on a proposed review of City of York Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy has opened.

At the Licensing Committee meeting on 25 April, it was agreed to pursue North Yorkshire Police’s request to amend the local authority’s current policy. Published in 2014, it includes a ‘Special Policy’ which relates to applications for the variation of a premises licence or club premises certificates.

The police believe these variations to licensed hours or style of operation can have as much impact locally as granting a new license. To give these variations greater weight and to reflect that they can significantly change the nature of the original license conditions, the force has requested that the policy’s ‘Effects of the Special Policy’ section is changed.

This section of the policy currently reads:
5. “Application for the variation of a premises licence or club premises certificate due to a change of style of operation:

Any application for the variation of style of operation which is subject to relevant representations will be considered on its own merits having regard to the promotion of the licensing objectives

6. Application for the variation of a premises licence or club premises certificate resulting in an extension of the premises and increased capacity:

There will be a presumption to refuse such applications, where relevant representation are received and where the increase in capacity would undermine the licensing objectives unless the applicant can rebut the presumption that the granting of such a variation would undermine the licensing objectives.

7. Application to vary the hours of operation attached to a premises licence or club premises certificate:

All applications that seek to extend the licensed hours will be considered on an individual basis. No different policy will apply in this area as opposed to the rest of the city.”

The a new form of words proposed is:

5.  “The following variations are considered to be material:

• change in style of operation

• physical extension of the premises that increases capacity

• extension of hour of operation

and therefore, there will be a presumption to refuse such applications, where relevant representations are received [deleted and] unless the applicant can rebut the presumption that the granting of such a variation would undermine the licensing objectives.”

Views can be sent by email to: licensing.unit@york.gov.uk or posted to Licensing Section, City of York Council, Eco Depot, Hazel Court, York YO10 3DS.

Other current Council consultations
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York residents are region’s most active

santa1 fitness

York is in the top spot for the proportion of active people in Yorkshire and Humber and is among the UK’s top ten per cent of local authorities, according to Sport England’s latest figures.

Over 41% of York adults do one or more 30+ minute sessions of sport a week: the highest in the Yorkshire and Humber region and up nearly five per cent since the survey began in 2007.

Over 28% of York residents also perform extremely well when it comes to achieving three 30-minute sessions of sport or active leisure per week. This was the second highest result in the area and up from 26.9% in the last survey.

York now ranks in the top ten per cent, or 31st out of 325 Local Authorities where residents achieve 3 half hours of physical activity a week. The results have been released by Sport England following their Active People Survey 9, which monitors levels of physical activity undertaken across the country over the last two years.
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Yellow lines being painted on Kings Square

Kings Square

Kings Square

From this week, City of York Council will be introducing parking restrictions on King’s Square.

Businesses and retailers in the area have been sent details of the changes, which aim to reduce the levels of inappropriate and sometimes dangerous parking occurring in the square.

The Executive Member for Transport approved proposals to review traffic management in the footstreets, including King’s Square, at a Decision Session on 12 November.

More information about this is available here.

This work will include a review of access for Green and Blue badge holders. The timeline for considering the issue and formulating clear recommendations will go back to the Executive Member for Transport in the coming months.

However, due to the level of vehicle activity and parking which is currently occurring, the council has listened to businesses, retailers and residents’ concerns and is taking more immediate action now.

Works are set to take place from tonight (weather permitting) which will see the authority introduce double yellow lines in King’s Square. The legal traffic order is in place and the painting of lines will bring restrictions into immediate effect.

This will not prejudice the review of traffic access in the footstreets, but will mean that parking is not allowed at any time except for disabled badge holders who will be able to park for three hours, providing they do not cause an obstruction. Loading/unloading will still be able to take place before and after the pedestrian hours of 10.30am and 5pm.

For more information about the parking changes please contact highway.regulation@york.gov.uk