FOUR additional deaths have been announced by the York Hospital Trust today. That brings the total since 1st September up to 189, Two fatalities occurred yesterday and two on Sunday.
The latest ONS figures, showing the number of deaths of York residents from Coronavirus during the week ending 1st January, have been published.
They show 10 fatalities with nine occurring at a hospital and one at home. That is the highest single week number since May.
In total, the death toll for York residents has now reached 227 of which 56 have lost their lives since 1st September.
NB. These figures vary from those published by the York Hospital Trust as the latter covers a larger area.
According to the Care Quality Commission an additional death occurred in a York care home on 5th January. That brings the total York care home death toll to 91. Most fatalities occurred in the Spring.
Test results
ONE HUNDRED and FIFTY FOUR (154) additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total to 9239.
Rate /100k population is now 637.37. Will increase to 670.44 before beginning to trend down
The York infection rate is now above the national, regional and county averages.
Click to access
Vaccinations
As of 11th January 1,959,151 people in England had been vaccinated.
York Minsterclosed to public. Deans park remains open
York Minster has issued the following statement
We are now closed for public services, private prayer and sightseeing. We will also continue to livestream Sunday services at 11am and 4pm via our YouTube channel, so you can join the services from home.
York Minster has closed to the public from today (Tuesday 12 January) until further notice in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The cathedral closed to sightseeing visitors on 31 December when York moved into tier three, but has now also closed for public services and private prayer.
Clergy will continue to offer prayer inside the cathedral on a daily basis and services will be livestreamed on Sundays so people can join worship from their homes.
The Dean of York, The Right Revd Dr Jonathan Frost, said: “We feel this is the right decision in the current climate to keep our staff, volunteers, visitors and congregations safe.
“We will review the decision on a regular basis. In the meantime, our clergy will continue to keep the regular pattern of daily prayer within the cathedral and we will continue to offer worship online so people can join us from the comfort of their own homes.”
Members of the public can send a prayer to be said in the cathedral by a member of the clergy by emailing prayer@yorkminster.org.
Dean’s Park, the green space to the north of the cathedral, will remain open on a daily basis from 10am to 4pm.
Financial Help
A new Council report reveals the scale of financial concerns in the York community as a result of COVID-19.
The report says that £1.2 million had been used to alleviate hardship by the end of September.
Hardship fund expenditure
Most went on reducing Council Tax liability. Around 9,000 residents have benefited.
Another £416,729 is being used to support a winter grant scheme. Part of this is being used to fund free school meals during holidays. The grant scheme is open to applications for anyone with savings of less than £2000.
Around 250 applications a week are being received.
The council received £298k in government funding from DHPs for 2020/21 in order to help with housing costs. So far 43% of this budget has been spent.
The numbers in work, but benefiting from on universal credit, almost doubled from 2762 to 5761 between March 2020 and September 2020.
There was a similar rise from claimants not in work.
A lot of work is going into expanding digital access to services. Those who do not currently have “on line” access are at a significant disadvantage during periods of lockdown.
Council tenant arrears stood at £975,943 in April 2020 (similar to the previous year end figure).
Arrears had increased to £1.23 million by the end of December.
The Council partly blames the DWP for the rise, citing bureaucratic hurdles to universal credit changes and staff shortages.
The Council sees the further development of community hubs as part of the long term solution to poverty in the City
THREE additional deaths announced by York Hospital Trust today. Two occurred on Tuesday and one yesterday. Brings the total number of fatalities since 1st September at the York and Scarborough hospitals to 157.
Local COVID related hospital deaths since September
TWO HUNDRED AND TWO (202) new positive test results announced today.
That is a record high.
The 209 infections reported on 29th December is also the highest single day figure ever recorded in the City.
The previous highest was 159 recorded on 13th October.
The Tuesday figure may have been influenced by delayed results from a Christmas backlog, but this does not entirely explain the surge in cases.
The rate /100k population stands at 266.8. It is set to rise to at least 370.8 within the next three days.
The neighbourhood figures do not yet include the large post Christmas spike in infections. They are likely, therefore, to get worse over the next few days.
End of shuttle service for disabled
Following feedback from service users the temporary Blue Badge shuttle service from Monk Bar car park is set to end on 31 December.
The service will be replaced with improved city centre access arrangements and more parking locations.
Feedback on the shuttle service and single drop off from Monk Bar was that it was not popular and viewed as inadequate by some blue badge holders. To make it easier for those who used the shuttle service to visit the city centre, vehicle access and Blue Badge parking is being reinstated from Monk Bar to Deangate, and College Green..
Free blue badge parking will be available in locations including:
• in ten dedicated spaces at Monk Bar Car Park • in 4 additional dedicated bays at Bootham Row Car Park (Off Bootham next the BBC Radio York building) • as well as on double yellow lines on Monk Bar to Deangate and College Green (up to and past the Cross Keys pub)
The original changes were brought in quickly at the start of the pandemic to allow for social distancing and the opening of pavement cafes. This helped York’s city centre to recover more strongly than most other cities in the UK, including giving many pubs and cafes the outdoor space which allows them to keep trading.
The latest plans follow extensive engagement with disabled residents and advocacy groups. It revealed broad support for the increased safety of the footstreets but dissatisfaction with the arrangements put in place to replace the lost Blue Badge parking. The proposed changes included:
• Vehicle access and Blue Badge parking would return from Monk Bar to Deangate, and College Green. • The taxi shuttle service for which feedback was poor will finish at the end of December. • Ten Blue Badge spaces would be retained at Monk Bar Car Park, and four created at Bootham Row to add to the additional free on-street spaces at Dundas Street, Carmelite Street, St Saviourgate, Duncombe Place and the existing spaces on Piccadilly, Tower Street, Castle Car Park and all other council car parks. • A single information point for disabled people to plan journeys. • Explore ways to allow disabled people who use cycles as a mobility aid to use them with care on the footstreets. Following the announcement that York will be in Tier 3 from 00.01 on 31 December footstreets will be open to traffic from 5pm as bars, pubs and cafes will only be able to open for takeaway service due to the restrictions.
Councillor Andy D’Agorne, deputy leader and executive member for transport, said:
We recognise that there is a balance to be struck between re-opening the city by extending footstreets whilst also ensuring disabled residents are able to access the city centre.
“Following further engagement we have looked to adapt these changes to better reflect the needs of everyone. We think this strikes the balance realising the benefits of footstreets for businesses and most of their customers whilst mitigating the negative impact for blue badge holders.
“When we no longer need to protect the people in our city centre from coronavirus, we will have to protect the large crowds which will return from the very different threat of terrorism. It is right that we look now at the long-term footstreets arrangements as part of that protection working with businesses and all types of users to find the most appropriate solutions.”
Council simplifies Tier 3 support grants for businesses
We will make Tier 3 grant support as simple and smooth as possible for York’s businesses – and urged qualifying companies who have not yet made a claim to make sure they are not missing out.
All businesses that have applied for and are receiving grants in Tier 2 do not need to reapply for Tier 3 grants. The council will automatically process the grants under existing schemes.
The council will automatically register and pay the appropriate grants to any business which has successfully applied for: • The Local Restrictions Grants brought in to support business through Tier 2 • The Additional Restrictions Grant introduced to support businesses which were severely impacted, but not forced to close during November’s lockdown. Tier 3 grants include: • Businesses forced to close by law, including most hospitality, indoor entertainment and accommodation, can access Local Restrictions Grants (Closed) of up to £3000, depending on their rateable value, per month. • Businesses not forced to close but with trade reduced by over 75% due to the pandemic can receive between £500 and £3000 for every two weeks we remain in Tier 3.
These grants will be paid automatically – businesses do not need to contact the council.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, executive member for performance and finance, said:
Throughout the pandemic we’ve made sure that York’s businesses are getting their grants as quickly as possible.
“As we move into Tier 3, we want to remove any additional stress so if we can pay grants based on existing information, we will.
“So if you have applied for grants in the last 8 weeks, you shouldn’t have to reapply now.”
Councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for the economy and strategic planning, said:
Making sure grants get to businesses as quickly and simply as possible has been central to our pandemic response. This protects jobs, the supply chain and the city’s wider economy.
“If you haven’t applied for a grant recently, please check what you may be eligible for and apply straight away www.york.gov.uk/COVID19BusinessGrants. Council staff are once again ready to put in a huge effort to get this money into businesses bank accounts as quickly as possible
“While we have shaped the Additional Restricted Grants to help catch some of the businesses that have missed out on government support, we’re continuing to call on the Government to deliver more.
“As always, I would urge businesses who have fallen through the cracks, to please contact us as soon as possible at economicgrowth@york.gov.uk and thanks to all the businesses who have already got in touch with the team who are looking at ways to provide help,
“There is also a lot more local support for businesses beyond these grants. Please get in touch with Make it York, York BID or the Federation of Small Businesses as soon as possible to find out more.”
To get notification when grant applications open, and up to date info on other business support, sign up for our regular bulletins here https://www.york.gov.uk/form/EmailUpdates
Let’s look after each other
After the city woke up this morning in very high restrictions the council is reiterating that support is available for residents and businesses and asking people to look after each other.
From this morning York is under very high restrictions which mean:
We cannot mix with other households indoors
We can only meet people outdoors in open public spaces in groups of up to six (that means we can no longer meet in private gardens)
Reduce your number of journeys, avoid travel outside the area unless needed
Work from home if possible
All hospitality is closed, except for takeaways and deliveries
Recently York has seen a sharp increase in the number of Coronavirus cases which is placing pressure on health services. The validated rate at 24 December stands at 240.2 cases per 100,000, above the regional average of 175.6. Cases are continuing to rise with the provisional rate for York standing at 312.4 per 100,000 at 28 December.
If you’re struggling to manage, or you don’t have any support, but need it because of COVID-19, our helpline is here to help you through this difficult time. Contact the Council by email: covid19help@york.gov.uk or telephone: 01904 551550.
During this period of very high restrictions residents are being asked to keep it safe, keep it local and support local businesses.
Keith Aspden, Leader of the Council, said:
These restrictions mean further changes to the way we live our lives and, undoubtedly, this will be difficult for many.
“The spirit of our wonderful city has been demonstrated throughout this pandemic and I know we will all do what we can to look after each other.
“Please check in on friends, family and neighbours in a Covid-secure way and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
“Please also remember to support our local businesses, who have done so much for our local communities throughout the year. Shops remain open and some bars and restaurants will be offering takeaway and delivery services.”
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, said:
We have reached the end of an incredibly challenging year for the city. Whilst we are all glad to see the back of 2020, please be safe and see in the new year at home.
“We need to all take extra care as the virus is increasing across the city. These next few months will be difficult but with the vaccine rollout there is hope but we aren’t there yet. Remember that 1 in 3 people do not have symptoms of the virus but may still be infectious. So take steps to protect yourself and remember hands, face, space.
“Looking after our physical and mental health will be vital. Please continue to exercise outdoors but do so safely, following the new rules and keeping a safe distance from those we don’t live with.”
By working together we can save lives, please:
Meet others outside and in small numbers (the rule of six applies)
Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds or more with soap and water
Wear a face covering when in busy public spaces
Give people space – 2m is best
Self-isolate when asked to by test and trace or if you have symptoms
Get a symptom-free test if you are eligible (book online)
Still no environmental or economic impact assessment
Knapton Forest land
The Council has published a report on its plans to establish a new 50,000 tree forest on land near Knapton.
The scheme had been criticised as “impulsive” with taxpayers believing that economic and environmental assessments of the effects of losing such a large area of good quality farming land – located near to potential consumers – should have been completed first.
No such evaluations, or a cost benefit analysis, have been published in the latest papers.
The project – which does have some merits – will disappoint many Liberal Democrat voters who were promised that accessible public open space would be provided to offset the loss of green fields, to new developments, in the Westfield area.
Other open spaces and footpaths have recently also been sealed off by landowners, making informal leisure options even less accessible for many thousands of residents.
The report reveals that “£1.65 million was used in the land purchase in West York and a further £400,000 was approved for the purchase of adjacent land subject to negotiations with the current landowner (ongoing). Council also allocated £25,000 revenue funding (2020- 2021) rising to £50,000 in 2021/22 and 2022/23 to support woodland creation and this budget sits within the CSCP budget”
The Council says that it is still trying to access “external funding” to offset the costs of the project.
We will see.
No update is provided on the promise to purchase more potential woodland in “an area near to the inner ring road”.
There are many other sites in the City – already in public ownership – where more trees could be planted.
Existing tree stocks have been neglected in recent years with many “highway trees” now needing either crown reduction or crown lifting work. The Councils budget allocation for tree maintenance work has been inadequate for many years.
NB. The report lets slip that the completion of the land purchase was announced in a “LibDem media release in October”. At that time, the restrictions on revealing the site location – imposed by the Councils Executive at a formal session – had not been formally lifted. It is without precedent for a major Council decision to be formally announced by a political party in advance of the Council itself issuing a progress statement. Those concerned will no doubt be hoping that no one reports this indiscretion to the Standards Committee!
THREE (3) additional deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today. One occurred on 3rd, one on the 6th and one yesterday. Over 100 patients have now died as a result of coronavirus at the York and Scarborough hospitals since the start of the second wave of infections in September.
There have been 22 new positive test results announced today. This brings the total to 5796
The case rate /100k population figure has now reduced to 60.3. That is the lowest rate recorded since 25th September.
No York neighbourhoods are now above the national or regional infection rates.
The most recent validated figures confirm a moderate reduction in case rates in York. Numbers in North Yorkshire are stable and those at regional level continue to fall. There has been a small increase at national level.
University test results
Universities report to Outbreak Management Board 9th Dec 2020
As of Monday 7th December, St Johns wasreporting that they have “0 members of our University community self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test”.
York Universitysay, “As of the morning of Tuesday 8th December, we are aware of 9 individuals within our University community who are currently self-isolating because they have had a positive Covid-19 test”.
City centre visitors mostly from York
A report to a meeting taking place tomorrow looks at how the profile of visitors to the City has changed since the pandemic took hold.
The report also looks at spending habits and reveals – to no one’s great surprise – that on line shopping has boomed.
Outbreak Management Board
Tomorrow’s City of York Outbreak Management Advisory Board will be webcast live from 5:30 pm. The agenda is as follows (click individual items for background information)
Basically, as far as the general, population is concerned, it will be “oldest first” to get the vaccine starting with care home residents, then the over 80’s
Hope is that first supplies will be available before Christmas. Facilities like the Moor Lane flu centre could be utilised
University and mass testing plans
We understand that mass testing facilities will be available at the local Universities from 30th November. The management there intend to offer tests to every student who intends to travel home from 3rd December. The “lateral flow” system will be used which provides almost immediate results (30 mins). The Universities will stagger leaving days and times in the expectation that many students will be picked up by family or friends.
The Universities are still talking about welcoming back students to the City in January.
NHS will be tested twice a week using the same system.
Targeted testing may be directed to check family members wishing to visit care home residents. Other priorities would include the social care workforce, schools, workplaces with an outbreak and later to allow events to take place.
Separately, York has “expressed an interest” to government in undertaking mass testing. This may be managed by focusing at one location but may be supplemented by local centres or even mobile facilities. The testing could continue for 6 months depending on when a vaccine was rolled out.
There is a suggestion that having a positive test (passport) may become a condition for having greater freedoms.
Deaths and test results
No further hospital deaths announced today.
“Only” 32 (THIRTY TWO) new positive test results announced today. This is the lowest for over 2 months and may be the first evidence that the “lockdown” is having a positive effect. The cumulative number of cases is now 5291.
Slow reduction in case numbers in the City continues
There was also a small reduction in cases reported at county and regional level.
There are still 5 neighbourhoods above the national case rate average. They are Heslington, Fulford Road, Wigginton, Huntington and (following a recent spike) Poppleton
Six neighbourhoods are now showing single digit case numbers.
Outbreak Management Board meeting
The agenda and some background papers for todays meeting have now been published. The meeting can be viewed “on line”
City of York Council has been allocated £658,350 to support more active travel across York and the many residents who are choosing to walk and cycle more throughout the city’s COVID recovery.
No new bridge for cyclists crossing the river Ouse on the A1237 (not enough money) but the Council says it can widen the existing cycle path (!)
The Government’s Active Travel Fund is designed to support walking and cycling as a long-term method for commuting. To receive any allocation from the fund, the council must carry out wide reaching engagement on a variety of proposed schemes to inform designs for people-centred transport infrastructure and more active travel opportunities for residents.
There is likely to be some scepticism about the Council choice of schemes (see below). It’s plan for a cycle path from Wheldrake (pop 2000) to the City centre for example doesn’t appear to have been based on any sort of cost benefit analysis.
Other villages such as Dunnington (pop 3300) are closer, so cycling is likely to be a much more attractive option for commuters living in that area.
The Council has computer modelling facilities available which would allow it to prioritise, what are very scarce, resources on initiatives which will give the maximum “bang per buck”. We’ve had too many impulsive decisions in the recent past ..and too many vanity projects. Decisions need to be made with clear base line figures, milestones, quantifiable targets and proper outturn appraisals.
No plans have been announced to improve the lamentable state of the existing cycle network. Parts of the York Selby cycle path – which is not too far away from Wheldrake – is currently unusable because of surface damage
Cycle lanes are planned for Acomb Road in Holgate
According to the Council, “the consultation, which will launch later this year, will provide residents the opportunity to shape future plans and ensure that they are designed to meet the needs of local communities. By using the consultation to develop high quality cycle routes, we can encourage more people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday travel in the city”.
This funding is the second phase of funding, following on from an initial £193,000 received in summer this year.
The Council claims that, “This second phase of funding will allow the city to build upon action taken so far this year through temporary changes to road layout and improving cycle safety, and enable the council to design and implement more permanent and wider reaching schemes to support residents with active travel opportunities across the city”.
The measures proposed to be consulted upon and delivered include:
Measures on Shipton Road (north of Clifton Green), linking with ongoing improvements to cycling infrastructure on Bootham;
Cycle lanes along Acomb Road;
Some city centre measures, for example a pedestrian/ cyclists crossing of Tower Street near St George’s Field;
Improvements to the cycle lane on the A1237 bridges over the Ouse and East Coast Main Line;
Cycle improvements between Wheldrake and Heslington.
Consultation will be carried out in the coming months and feedback collected from this will be reported at an Executive Member for Transport Decision Session in early 2021.
This work will be carried out in coordination with the implementation of the council’s Economic Recovery Strategy. The strategy focuses on prioritising active travel, working with bus and rail operators to ensure people can continue to use public transport with confidence and creating a more people-focussed city centre.
The council’s iTravel team will be supporting engagement across local communities and schools to better understand barriers to active travel and how this funding can improve this across the city.
City of York Council has announced a year-long e-scooter trial and selected Europe’s leading operator TIER to run the game-changing technology on its streets.
The first e-scooters will be deployed at the University of York in a few weeks, offering residents a new, green and Covid-safe mode of transport for getting around the city. Discussions are taking place as to whether York Hospital will also be able to host the scheme
The Department for Transport-approved scheme, will initially see up to 100 e-scooters deployed, with more e-scooters and TIER e-bikes to come. Renting an e-scooter in York will cost riders £1 to unlock the vehicle and 15p per minute travelled.
After a highly competitive tender process involving over 15 other applicants, City of York Council selected TIER as sole operator because of the company’s pioneering approach to safety, ability to ensure orderly parking and its unrivalled sustainability credentials.
TIER scooters come with industry-leading safety features including an integrated helmet, the largest front wheel in the market, a wider foot plate, dual suspension, a double kick-stand and dual drum brakes for stable riding on uneven surfaces and conditions.
TIER, founded in 2018 and already in 70 cities across Europe, was the first e-scooter operator in the world to become climate-neutral and is rolling out swappable batteries across its fleet, removing the need to collect and transport the vehicles to a warehouse for charging. York will benefit from this leading model. The company is also demonstrating its financial sustainability, becoming profitable in only its second year.
City of York Council is asking disabled people across York to let them know how city centre changes made in response to coronavirus have affected accessibility.
In June 2020 the council executive agreed to emergency measures to expand the number of pedestrianised ‘footstreets’, which now run for an extra three hours until 8pm, to allow more space for social distancing and for cafes and restaurants to take advantage of pavement trading.
“The actions are designed to support the council’s Economic Recovery – Transport and Place One Year Strategy, adopted by the Executive on 24 June 2020. This aims to build resident, visitor and stakeholder confidence that York is a safe, healthy and attractive place for everyone”.
Replacement blue badge parking has been added at different locations around the edges of the city centre, with more added this week*. A free taxi service – set to continue until at least 20 September – has been available between Monk Bar car park and St Andrewgate.
Most of the spaces reserved for the disabled at Monk Bar car park have not been used
The council want to hear from all disabled people in York, whether they use a blue badge or not, and any other residents who feel the footstreets extension has affected their ability to access the city centre.
The council wants to hear from disabled people, blue badge holders, carers and anyone else who feels the footstreets changes have affected the ease with which they can access the city centre.
The results of the engagement will: 1. Provide ways to improve the existing alternative access arrangements 2. Give the council’s Executive a full understanding of the impact of the footstreets extension and provide options to increase accessibility to the city centre if the extension continues.
With public gatherings difficult during the current restrictions, the council is using a survey approach – available online and hard copy – as well as talking to disabled groups across the city to reach their members.
The council is also scheduling an online workshop in Mid-September to explore the challenges.
You can join the conversation in a number of ways. You can fill in a survey by Monday 28 September at www.york.gov.uk/OBCAccess, A hard copy of the survey along with a freepost return address will also be included in the September edition of the council’s Our City publication, distributed to York households from 7 September. If you are interested in taking part in an online workshop to explore the challenges around accessibility and footstreets and ideas please email OurBigConversation@york.gov.uk .
York could follow other cities like Milton Keynes and Cambridge by introducing a new 12-month trial to offer e-scooters and e-bikes at York Hospital and the University of York.
If approved by City of York Council, the preferred supplier will work alongisde York Hospital and the University of York to bring forward the trial later this month – ensuring safety, security and engagement with key groups are core to the trial being implemented.
The trial is part of efforts to support a ‘green’ restart of local travel and help mitigate the impact of reduced public transport capacity.
Funded and run in partnership with the Department of Transport (DfT), the trial could be rolled out in the city at York Hospital and the University of York.
There may be some scepticism about this project. Cycle hire schemes have not been successful in the past with some of the bikes ending up in the river.
We do have some doubts about the safety of electric scooters given the poor standards of road maintenance in parts of the City.
Still it may be worth a trial as long as taxpayers money is not put at risk.
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