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That was the year that was 2014

Jan 2014— Demolition work starts at the former Beckfield Lane tip site. It was to become a housing development. A huge increase in car parking charges is announced

That was the year that was 2014

Feb 2014— Another increase in Council Tax was implemented with a government freeze subsidy snubbed for the second year running. York was to get another lap dancing club. Lack of openness in the Councils approach to public sector appointments was criticised. The Council continued to refuse to publish bus reliability information. £300,000 asking price for a flat in Rougier Street above a bus shelter (it was never built). Waterworld ran into financial difficulties (it was to close later in the year)

March 2014— The (free) Minster parking badge was to be scrapped. A spy camera van would be used to enforce parking restrictions. The Council spent £238,000 on poles for 20 mph signs. £1.6 million was to be spent remodelling Newgate market

April 2014— Lendal Bridge/Coppergate fine income tops £2 million. An adjudicator rules that the fines are unlawful. Labour are forced to switch off the ANPR cameras. The Council releases details of more Green Belt land that they wanted to develop but abandon traveller site proposals

May 2014— Councillors start to desert York Council Labour Group. Controversy looms over Tour de France campsite and “Grand Departy”  arrangements.

June 2014— Electric buses arrived in York, four years after initial trials. Labour blocked a Public Inquiry into the Lendal Bridge fiasco.  York Social Services decline into financial chaos.

July 2014— Marygate car park got a barrier at a cost of £100,000. Recycling rates are down in York. The Lowfields Care village project falters. The Grand Departy concert is a disaster costing taxpayers £187,000. A two year delay in the Community Stadium project was confirmed.

August 2014— There are continuing delays in bringing the new Poppleton park and ride site into operation. Local Westfield Councillor Lynn Jeffries passes away.

September 2014— York Council labelled a “Rotten Borough” by Private Eye. New gypsy and showman’s sites revealed. The Council is spending £30,000 a year maintaining the empty Oliver House EPH (it is still  empty despite an offer of over £3million for the building).

October 2014— “Big City or Our City” Council abandon Local Plan. Yearsley swimming pool threatened. Council leaders force charity workers resignation and 2 more Labour Councillors quit party. LibDem Andrew Waller wins Westfield by election with huge majority.

November 2014— The new balanced Council decides to save the Castlegate youth centre from closure. An extra garden waste collection agreed.  Future of Guildhall still in doubt (later Labour agree to spend £9.2 million turning it into a media centre). James Alexander resigns as Council Leader.

December 2014— Fears for subsidised bus services grow. Yearsley pool reprieved. Boyes will open a new store in Front Street. Now a Tory Councillor quits his group on the Council after anti Green Belt comments.

Westfield Focus in 2014

214 page 1 colour Askham Lane  Focus Feb 14 A3 314 page 1 Foxwood Focus Feb 14 A3 514  Page 1 colour Hob Moor Focus May 14 A3 614 colour Page 1  Cornlands Focus June 14 A3 814 colour Page 1 Front Street Focus August 14 A3 914 colour Pages 1 Foxwood Focus Sept 14 A3 1214 colour Hob Moor Focus Pages 1 Dec 14 A3 Pages 1 1114 colour Foxwood Focus Nov 14 A3

 

The way we were

 

 

 

“Lets start talking” -Lib Dems call for return of committee system

Yorkshire loses chance of more powers in the wake of the elected Mayor impasse.

The government announced some delegated powers for the York and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) yesterday but did not go as far as has been offered to Manchester. The government (rightly) says that the decision takers in Leeds – a gang of Labour Council Leaders – are not directly democratically accountable.

Given the appalling mess that some single party dominated Councils (Doncaster, Rotherham etc) have got into, the elected Mayor model is little better, substituting an elected dictator for what should be wide ranging debate and democracy..

The solution is to have a small directly elected Executive for the WYCA. To avoid dominance by one party (unless electors wanted that) seats should be allocated in proportion to the votes cast for each party.

Electors should have a say on which individual candidates they prefer (to avoid the party list monopoly -which is the major failure of the European election system). Costs could be contained by gradually reducing – by around 10% – the number of Councillors elected to other authorities. There should be a power of recall.

There is an opportunity to have a genuinely open system with social media having already shown how increasing numbers of residents can participate in debates about issues.

Mean while locally, the Liberal Democrat Group on City of York Council are calling for a radical overhaul of the way the council takes decisions with a return to a committee system.

Under the council’s current ‘leader and cabinet’ model, decision-making power is concentrated in the hands of just six cabinet members. Under a committee system, the cabinet would be scrapped and policy would instead be made by various cross-party committees with all political groups represented.

A Lib Dem motion on the issue will be debated at next Thursday’s full council meeting. The motion argues that the current system is “not-fit-for-purpose” and a more “open and collaborative” approach is needed.

The potential change was made possible through the Coalition Government’s 2011 Localism Act. Following this, a number of councils including Sutton and Brighton & Hove have moved to a committee-style system.

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Residents face £35 a year Green Bin Tax

Liberal Democrats have criticised Green Councillors for backing proposals which will see residents charged £35 a year for all garden waste collections.

Cllr Ann Reid and local LibDem candidate Stephen Fenton with green waste

Cllr Ann Reid and local LibDem candidate Stephen Fenton with green waste

As previously reported, Green Party councillors last week supported the ruling Labour Group’s Budget along with former Conservative Cllr Joe Watt. The plans will see a charge introduced for all green bin collections alongside increased car parking rates and cuts to community centres, road repairs and street cleaning.

In 2013, Labour was forced to abandon plans to charge for all green bin collections after 1,700 residents signed a Lib Dem petition and concerns were raised that a blanket charge would see recycling rates tumble.

However, Labour did force through a cut to winter collections and introduced a £35 charge for residents with more than one green bin.

This new charge is the equivalent of a 4% increase in Council Tax for most residents 

The new plans, part of the council’s ‘Re-wiring’ project, will now see a charge for all garden waste collections in 2015/16 with officers recommending a flat £35 fee per bin.

Plans to reduce the frequency of grey bin collections will also be considered as part of the proposals.

Cllr Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environmental Services, commented:

“It is hugely disappointing that Green councillors supported Labour’s Budget. This decision means further cuts to frontline services, increased fees for car parking and a new charge for all green bin collections.

“Under Labour recycling rates have already fallen and Landfill Tax bills increased to £3.7 million. Making residents pay £35 to recycle their garden waste will do further damage.

“Liberal Democrats worked with residents to defeat these plans in 2013, but Green councillors have now paved the way for a new Green Bin Tax in York as well as the option to reduce grey bin collections.

“The Lib Dem budget proposal was the only one which scrapped these plans. It would also have returned winter green bin collections and increased investment to boost recycling rates.

“The Labour-Green union, which last year blocked a review into the Lendal Bridge trial, has now passed a budget which will see cuts to services and reckless borrowing continue on projects such as the £9million Guildhall Media Hub.

“While I am pleased that Castlegate has been given a short-term reprieve and there is some hope for Yearsley Pool, the Labour-Green budget includes damaging cuts to community centres, road repairs and street cleaning as well as this new Green Bin charge.”

Details of the Green Bin proposals are included in the council’s plans for ‘Place Based Services’ – click here to access a copy

More WiFi in York – Foxwood Community Centre and Sanderson House to get links

York is to continue its digital journey following an announcement that a number of Community Hubs will receive free WiFi in spring 2015.

The WiFi installation is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), as part of York’s status as one of 22 SuperConnected Cities and is the latest step in City of York Council’s Digital City campaign.

The free WiFi will be available to residents and visitors while they are in public space. The provision will allow events and seminars to take place and will also help residents communicate with relatives and friends digitally.

WiFi will be installed in the following Community Hubs:

  • 68 Youth Centre
  • Bell Farm Community Centre
  • Burton Stone Community Centre
  • Castlegate 29
  • Clarence Street 30 (Sycamore House)
  • Clementhorpe Community Centre
  • Clements Hall
  • Foxwood Community Centre, Bellhouse Way (due on 25th February)   
  • Melbourne Centre
  • Moor Lane Youth Centre                   
  • Oaken Grove Community Centre
  • Priory Street Community Centre
  • Sanderson Court Community House , Bramham Road    
  • Tang Hall Community Centre
  • Poppleton Road Memorial Hall

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York Council petitions update

The York Council is to consider an update on 10 petitions received from residents at a meeting taking place on 12th January.

They concern:

Burton Stone community centre future unclear

Burton Stone community centre future unclear

  • Speeding on Peter Hill Drive
  • Future of Burton Stone Community Centre (2)
  • Installation of speed humps on South Bank Avenue
  • Objections to development site H30 (Local Plan)
  • Need for 20 mph speed limit on Walmgate/Navigation Road
  • Future on York Deaf Society
  • Future of Youth Advice Centre in Castlegate
  • Winter Green Waste collection
  • Future of Groves Chapel
  • Objections to plans to build on Earswick Green Belt (Local Plan)
  • Request for Residents Only parking in Nunthorpe Grove
  • Road safety in Strensall
  • Future of Yearsley Pool
  • Travellers site fees

For more details click here

Petitioners are able to attend the meeting and speak in support of their petition.

The Council has changed the way that it now deals with residents petitions.

The new system involves reports being made to a public Council scrutiny committee.

It is much more transparent than the old system where petitions handed to Council often disappeared from public view for months and sometimes years.

Meals service for elderly to be restored at Gale Farm Court

Meals at Gale Farm Court will be restarting in January following pressure from residents and new Westfield Councillor Andrew Waller.

Gale Farm Court Affected by meals decision

Gale Farm Court Affected by meals decision

The new service will be supplied via Age UK (formerly Age Concern) with freshly made meals being prepared daily.

The Council announced in September that it was scrapping the lunchtime meal option at its sheltered establishments. The move was heavily criticised for lack of consultation and it later emerged that the cost saving measure had been prompted by criticism of the quality of food provided by the previous contractor.

The Council hoped to save £50,000 by cutting meals services at its elderly persons establishments

Residents had thought that the Council were negotiating with other supplers and were stunned when the decision to scrap the service was made on 3rd September.

Despite appeals the meals stopped on 1st October – leaving residents too little time to appoint another supplier.

The Labour Cabinet member (Cunningham–Cross) refused to reply to Andrew Waller when he wrote, on behalf of residents, to ask for an extension to allow enough time for a new system to be worked out.

Andrew Waller commented

The new meals have been chosen by the residents, and they are pleased that the Council no longer manages the contract.

 Instead they are now in control and can take problems up directly with John O’Brien who is running the meals system.

It is sad that the Council treat residents of Gale Farm Court (and the other three sheltered homes run by the Council) so badly, and I hope that lessons have been learned for the future.

The Council has admitted to me that the situation was badly handled.”

The  incident has parallels with the muddle over the future of the  Castlegate centre for young people. There the Council was forced to reverse a closure decision earlier in the week and admitted that it had failed to consult properly on options.

Fresh call to repay all Lendal Bridge fines

Liberal Democrats are making a fresh call for all Lendal Bridge fines to be repaid following the resignation of council leader James Alexander.

Lendal bridge - always been busy at 5;00pm

Lendal bridge – always been busy at 5;00pm

Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Keith Aspden will move a motion at next month’s Full Council meeting (11th December) calling for all fined motorists to be automatically refunded. He will be seeking support from other councillors to back the move in the coming days.

Cllr Aspden says the refunds need to be part of a wider rethink of council policies following the resignation of the Labour council leader yesterday.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Group Leader in York, commented:
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York to host Apprenticeship Recruitment Event

Young people across the city will be able to view over 250 Apprenticeship vacancies and receive job advice as City of York Council hosts an Apprenticeship Recruitment Event on Tuesday 1 July.

Elizabethan Medieval Clip Art 137

The event, which will take place from 4.30pm-7.30pm at the Hilton Hotel, will showcase exciting Apprenticeship opportunities from both large and small to medium-sized York employers.

The recruitment event comes after the success of the York Apprenticeship Challenge which saw 104 local businesses pledge to create 162 Apprenticeship vacancies in the city.

Young people aged 16-24 and their parents will have the chance to meet with recruiting employers as well as find out about alternative routes to Level 3 qualifications and university.

20 employers and 10 training providers will be advertising over 250 Apprenticeship vacancies covering a range of sectors including; business and finance, construction, creative and cultural, digital marketing and social media, engineering, I.T, health and more. Employers attending the event include City of York Council, NHS, Barratt Homes, Nestle, Garbutt and Elliott Solicitors, GIA Architects, Purenet, McDonalds, York Cocoa House, Meltons Restaurant and many more.

Connexions advisors will be available at 29 Castlegate alongside the event to support young people with their next-level options, including Apprenticeships, plus CV and Job Application workshops.

For more information on the event contact york.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk or visit www.facebook.com/yorkapprenticeships.

Coppergate bus lane camera income expected to produce a profit for Council

Behind closed doors logo

The Council have agreed the final details of its plan to use CCTV to enforce the bus only ban on Coppergate. In a report to another “behind closed doors” meeting

Officials admitted that “overall, the income generated through the issue of penalty charge notices will be greater than the operating costs and the scheme is likely to generate a revenue surplus for the Council”

A background report said, “The scheme will involve the use of ANPR Automatic Number Plate Recognition), camera technology to Coppergate between the hours of 07.00 and 11.00 and 16.00 and 19.00, seven days a week.

Coppergate bus lane enforcement plans Click to enlarge

Coppergate bus lane enforcement plans Click to enlarge

An access and loading restriction is in place between 11.00 and 16.00.

The details of drivers contravening bus lane restriction will be retrieved from the DVLA based on images captured by the ANPR cameras and issued with penalty charge notices as per the approved Traffic Regulation Order charging regime.

The scheme will involve automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) traffic enforcement cameras installed onto the traffic island on Coppergate’s junction with Castlegate. This will enable a monitoring system to detect offenders, secure evidence and allow for civil prosecution to be carried out during the times of operation.

To ensure that only appropriate vehicles receive penalty charge notices, a list of approved vehicles will be generated and maintained within the processing unit. This will allow all vehicles passing the enforcement camera to be cross-referenced and only those genuine cases will be processed further”.

There were no objections to the traffic order when it was advertised earlier in the year.