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LibDems consult on parking improvements in Windsor Garth area

Beverley Court

Local Liberal Democrats are conducting a door to door survey in the Windsor Garth area following escalating problems with car parking.

The problems have been exacerbated by recent developments and the Liberal Democrats now want to see alternative parking spaces provided if the proposed demolition of garages on Newbury Avenue gets the go ahead.

Plans for the garage site development are expect to be published late next month with a  referral to the planning committee expected before the end of the summer.

Local residents anticipate that a section 106 notice will be served requiring the developers to fund alternative parking space.

The Council stopped re-letting empty garages as long ago as 2012 – a step which has made the lack of off street car parking space an acute problem.

Some of the possible sites for new parking lay-by area shown on the map below. 

Empty garages costing York Council £25,500 a year in lost rent

489 registered on waiting list for garages in west York

Figures released by the York Council confirm that there is a high level of demand for Council garages in west York.

There are waiting lists at most blocks with the most popular being at (little) Green Lane where 24 residents are seeking a garage. Ironically this is a garage area which the Council have badly neglected. It suffers from an uneven forecourt, overgrown boundaries and occasional fly tipping.

One applicant for a garage in Dijon Avenue has been waiting since 2009! 

Waiting list

Waiting list

Despite this the Council records that there are 67 garages currently vacant.

One garage in The Wandle has been unused since 2005!

empty-garages-jan-2017

Part of the problem has been a moratorium on the letting of garages in blocks which may be redeveloped.

This has affected 15 garages in Chaloners Road, which have been empty since 2014, while 21 garages in Newbury Avenue have suffered a similar fate with most empty since 2012. The development plans for Newbury Avenue are still in a state of flux so the Council is losing £500 a month in rent from that block alone.

Proposed new charges for garages have also been announced by the Council (see below)

garage-rents

We think that the Council should be much more proactive in trying to let empty garages. In many areas “on street” parking space is very limited and some residents resort to parking on verges. In turn this causes damage which is both unsightly and expensive to remedy.

The Council web site should be updated regularly with a list of garages that are empty, while Councillors should ensure that a list of garages, which are available, is displayed on local noticeboards

NB. The figures provided cover the Westfield, Acomb, Dringhouses and Holgate Wards. There are a similar number of Council garages on the east of the City

 

 

 

Last week in west York in pictures – 1st October 2016

The week started with another successful Acomb market. The event was attended by both Councillors Andrew Waller and Sheena Jackson. It was the last of the scheduled markets but we understand that the independent traders group Acomb Alive - whihc is chaired by Cllr Sue Hunter, have agreed to hold at least two more. They will take place on the fourth Saturday in both October and November. Plans are also in hand for a grand Christmas fair in December. The appeal for Christmas lights funding passed £600 this week.

The week started with another successful Acomb market. The event was attended by both Councillors Sheena Jackson and Andrew Waller . It was the last of the scheduled markets but we understand that the independent traders group Acomb Alive – which is chaired by Cllr Sue Hunter – have agreed to hold at least two more. They will take place on the fourth Saturday in both October and November. Plans are also in hand for a grand Christmas Fair in December. The appeal for Christmas lights funding passed £600 this we

Police upped their profile in the ward with a team visiting the Chapelfields area last week. Crime has been a growing concern according to the results of our door to door survey with the lack of identifiable local officers undertaking foot patrols are recurring comment

Police upped their profile in the ward with a team visiting the Chapelfields area last week. Crime has been a growing concern according to the results of our door to door survey with the lack of identifiable local officers undertaking foot patrols a recurring comment

Andrew Waller watched as new high powered water pumps were installed at the Foss Barrier. The new pumps should avoid any repetition of the flooding which occurred last Boxwing day.

Andrew Waller watched as new high powered water pumps were installed at the Foss Barrier. The new pumps should avoid any repetition of the flooding which occurred last Boxing Day.

Work has started on gutting the old NatWest bank building on Front Street although it remains unclear what its future use might be

Work has started on gutting the old NatWest bank building on Front Street although it remains unclear what its future use might be

We're still on the look out for blocked drainage gullies. These in Kingsway West have been reported.

We’re still on the look out for blocked drainage gullies. These in Windsor Garth have been reported.

The warm weather means that weeds and hedges are still growing. We've reported some - like these on Kingsway West - for attention. The third application of weed killer to foopaths has just taken place. Officials expect results to be visible by the middle of October.

The warm weather means that weeds and hedges are still growing. We’ve reported some – like these on Kingsway West – for attention. The third application of weed killer to footpaths has just taken place. Officials expect results to be visible by the middle of October.

Andrew Waller helped to clear rubble from around trees on Hob Moor. There were concerns that the tree could be permanently damaged

Andrew Waller helped to clear rubble from around trees on Hob Moor. There were concerns that the trees could be permanently damaged

Plans for a new house behind Front Street were lodged with the Council. Concerns have already been raised by residents about the condition and street lighting on the back lane which would form the only access for the property.

Plans for a new house behind Front Street were lodged with the Council. Concerns have already been raised by residents about the condition of the surface and street lighting on the back lane, which would form the only access for the property.

The grass has been cut at the Foxwood Community Centre. Residents meet every Saturday to undertake garden maintenance tasks near the centre

The grass has been cut at the Foxwood Community Centre. Residents meet every Saturday to undertake garden maintenance tasks near the centre

The Council approved on Thursday plans to erect 8 bungalows on the Newbury Avenue garage site. Residents have pledged to oppose the proposal when it reaches the planning committee if alterantive car parking spaces are not provided via a Section 106 agreement

The Council approved on Thursday plans to erect 8 bungalows on the Newbury Avenue garage site. Residents have pledged to oppose the proposal, when it reaches the planning committee, if alternative car parking spaces are not provided via a Section 106 agreement

 

Last week in west York in pictures

IMG_7373

Following a crash on Gale Lane we asked for debris to be swept from the carriageway

Litter and weeds on garage access road in Westfield Place 1500hrs 22nd Sept 2016

Litter remains a top concern of residents in the Askham Lane area. We asked for the access road in Westfield Place to be swept

Litter bin spillage

This litter bin was reported for attention

Sheena at Circus

Cllr Sheena Jackson continued her survey of young peoples leisure needs in the area. This week she was outside the circus on Thanet Road. The circus had been criticised for fly posting adverting literature around the area. They were asked to remove the posters within 5 days of leaving the area (which they seem to have done)

Weeds in guttesr Stirrup Close 19th Sept 2016

Earlier in the week the Foxwood Residents Association had a walk round the local estate with Council and Housing Association officials. One big problem was weed growth with street like Wenham Road amongst those apparently missed off the treatment rota. The third application of weed killer has just started with officials promising that an improvement will be noticeable by mid October. We think that the Council will need a change of policy for 2017 following several years now of ineffective treatment.

Weed groth Wenham

More weeds

Andrew bus shelter

….and Cllr Andrew Waller takes direct action to remove weed growth from the gutters of a local bus shelter!

Hole in park

Cllr Sheena Jackson has reported several holes that have been dug in the Foxwood Park surface. They have apparently been dug by an animal and represent a potential hazard for walkers as the dark nights draw in. The holes are being filled in.

Page 1 nEWBURY aVE OPTIONS sEPT 2016

The Council announced new plans for the erection of 8 bungalows on the Newbury Avenue garage site on Wednesday. Local Councillors are pressing for more off street parking spaces to be provided if the garages are demolished

Road works on Windsor Garth 21st Sept 2016

Good news just down the road as contractors start work on repairing roads damaged by vehicles accessing the “Hob Stones” development site on Windsor Garth

Acomb Market large

and the week ends to day with the return of the Acomb Market for the last of its currently scheduled run on Front Street. A record number of stalls are available today (Saturday). Acomb Alive are expected to make an announcement shortly about the future of the market.

Threat to York Council housing

It looks like Tory Councillors are following up their threat to demolish many Council house in York.

Council house buildingThe idea was first raised in February in a report that was rushed through the Council with little debate and no consultation.

Now an item has been placed in the Council’s forward plan which lists upcoming decisions.

It includes another opaque statement which is bound to cause concern amongst tenants. A report will recommend that the Council undertakes “a full housing stock options appraisal and at the same time develop tenant and staff panels and establish an ad-hoc cross party member scrutiny panel to consider the long term sustainability of the service and assess the different organisational governance models to support the final decision making process”.

So 15 years after tenants in York decisively rejected a move, which would have seen their homes transferred to a housing association, it looks like the idea is being revived.

For a while the neo privatisation of Council housing was a key Labour party policy. It saw several authorities in the  1990’s transfer their housing stock to housing associations. Some were relatively successful but they were outnumbered by many which completely lost contact with their tenants. Lack of accountability became -and still is – a major issue in some Cities.  So called “Arms Length Management Organisations” have fared little better.

In York tenants decisively voted to remain with the Council.

While we have not been impressed with several aspects of the management of Council housing in the City over the last 5 years, we believe that a shake up in the people involved will lead to improvements.

Some communal areas are neglected by housing managers in York

Some communal areas are neglected by housing managers in York

Problems can be traced to a lack of attention to detail particularly in communal area maintenance and estate improvements.

Housing standards are generally good. Even the system built homes – the target of Tory criticism in February – continue to provide accommodation which is regarded as satisfactory by most occupants.

The housing account has built up a £20 million surplus although it continues to carry a £120 million historic debt burden.  Council house sale levels – even after recent increases to discount rates – remain modest.

However, the Council may have to contribute towards the costs involved in the present governments scheme to discount the sale of resident’s association properties.

Successive councils have failed to use funding streams such as the new homes bonus to pay for additional Council homes. They have failed to supplement stocks by buying on the open market when prices are favourable.

The Council has in recent years also failed to support local Residents Associations and is now even  consulting on reducing their influence on the use of the annual estate improvement budget.

Weaker tenant representation will make it easier for politicians to impose drastic change without proper discussion.

A meeting to discuss the – currently secret – plans will take place on 13th October.

The distribution of Council houses in York by ward is:

Ward

No Council houses
Acomb

398

Bishopthorpe

66

Clifton

891

Copmanthorpe

41

Dringhouses

414

Fishergate

143

Fulford

120

Guildhall

723

Heworth

1258

Holgate

447

Hull Rd

698

Micklegate

568

Osbaldwick

78

Rawcliffe

19

Rural West

95

Westfield

1717

Wheldrake

44

TOTAL

7720

We also understand that a meeting on 29th September is likely to look again at the discredited plan to develop the garage site to the rear of Newbury Avenue.

Drugs and housing – mixed messages

Two Councillors were using the media to tell the York Council what it should be doing last week. One was right, the other wrong.

Drugs

One commentator hit the nail of the head. She said that the scale of drug abuse problems in the city should be more generally understood.

She was right to do so.  drug-misuse_blackpool

While local police officers often conduct high profile drugs raids, the level of reports – for what some regard as a victim less crime – almost certainly disguises the real level of abuse.

Crime stats reveal that only 202 drug related crime reports were made in the City during the year ending in July. This was 2.8% of the total crimes reported.

This compares to 3510 reports of “anti social behaviour” during the same period.

Anecdotal evidence paints a different picture.

York’s public toilets are frequently misused by drug users who leave their paraphernalia lying around. This poses a threat to other users and to cleaning staff.

So more candour about drug related issues is needed.

Newbury Avenue

A snide contribution from a Heworth Ward Councillor claimed that the development of flats on the Newbury Avenue garage site should go ahead immediately.

Cars parked on grassed amenity area in Windsor Garth

Cars parked on grassed amenity area in Windsor Garth

She clearly had little knowledge of the scale of problems already evident in the area mainly as a result of the late running development of the Our Lady’s school site.

Acute parking problems and traffic issues have been exacerbated by the development while road surfaces – and in particular the speed tables – have been badly damaged.

Some residents are now resorting to parking on grassed amenity areas (see photo right) while the Council still refuses to release much needed estate improvement funding  to the area “because to doesn’t have a residents association”.

The Council is right to pause any additional building work in the area at least until it sorts out existing issues with public services.

House price monitor in West York

House sales have been brisk in west York over the last quarter. Sales have included:

Properties currently available for purchase include

Main Image Newbury Avenue, York, YO24

Newbury Avenue

Chain free properties available for immediate occupation include:

Main Image Westfield Place, York, YO24

Westfield Place

 

Properties recently discounted include

 West Thorpe, Dringhouses, York

West Thorpe

Properties for rent include

 Ruby Street, York

Ruby Street

 

Political posturing or considered debate? York Councillors opt for extra meetings

Three decisions taken by the new Council have been called in for further consideration.

The topics chosen are an eclectic mix of the important (new house building), the improbable (listing an derelict  “malt house”) and the bizarre (objections to letting a new security contract)

Council house building and Newbury Avenue

Newbury Avenue garages

Predictably the Labour group hope to divert attention away from their failure, over four years, to provide significant numbers of additional affordable homes in the City. They are “calling in” an Executive decision which sets out how more Council houses will be provided in the future. Despite the minority Labour (and Green) Groups now having a voice on the new style Executive, they are still opting to delay work starting on the new building programmes by calling for further reviews.

The “call in” specifically refers to the decision taken to review the demolition of a garage block in Newbury Avenue and replace it with 9 flats. This was the highly unpopular decision forced through by Labour when it had a Council majority. They failed to address concerns about lack of alternative car parking in the estate or the cumulative impact that additional building was having on the limited highways capacity in the area.

An alternative, much better located, site for new homes on Front Street – left derelict for 4 years by the last Council – had been suggested.

In calling in the item, Labour are also delaying a start on other – less controversial – Council housing developments in areas like Ordnance Lane.

There must be a suspicion that what Labour are really trying to do, is deflect attention away from an inquiry into their stewardship of the housing estate. 

It has emerged recently that their flagship “Get York Building” programme collapsed 6 months ago when meetings were abandoned. They are likely to face some testing questions about the cost of “Get York Building” and its complete failure to achieve what its slogan title implied.

While the scale and location of new housing is clearly a matter of City wide significance, the same cannot be said of the other two issues.

Council security services

CCTV-control_room

Three Green Councillors have called in the decisions made by the Executive on 25 June 2015 to “commence a procurement exercise for a comprehensive set of council wide security services, to include on site security services in all council properties, fire alarm response and investigations and the provision of the Council’s CCTV control room operation and ongoing maintenance”.

The Executive decision was simply to commence the procurement process.

It appears that the Greens are opposed to the outsourcing of CCTV monitoring although this is common place elsewhere. 

They raise a series of question about the scope of the contract most of which could have been raised and answered before the Executive decision was taken.

Community Right to Bid under the Localism Act 2011 – Clementhorpe Malt House

Malt house Clementhorpe

The Council Leader – rightly – decided that this building, which has been empty since its use for storage ceased several years ago,  could not reasonably be regarded as a “community asset”.

The building had been unused – and arguably an eyesore – for many years before a deal was brokered to convert it for residential use. The conversion seeks to tastefully incorporate some of the historic features of the building. The demand for malt houses is somewhat limited these days.

The fact of the matter is that, those who now feel that they want the building to be retained and in particular the local ward Councillors, have missed the boat.

They had many years to pursue an alternative use for the building but failed to do so.

The property has been sold and planning permission has been granted.

The Council should encourage the developers to get on with the building work and provide more homes on what is a brownfield site.

Hopefully the new more inclusive decision making process – due to be introduced in the autumn – will allow issues like these to be fully explored before decisions are taken.

Spurious “calling in” tactics simply waste time and tie up the Councils limited administrative resources.

A tale of two communities

If anyone needed more proof that an effective partnership between the Council and residents can make a difference to a community, then they need look no further than the Kingsway and Cornlands neighbourhoods in the Westfield ward.

Kingsway abandoned noticeboard

Kingsway abandoned noticeboard

For many years the Kingsway residents, acting through the KARA organisation, liaised with local Councillors and officials.

Some three years ago the Council chose to totally ignore the representation that KARA made about a couple of planning applications which not only threatened public service standards in the area but also put the adjacent Hob Moor at risk.

The Council chose to ignore its own draft Local Plan and almost doubled the number of houses being built on the former Our Lady’s school site (now called “Hob Stones – which itself in recent weeks has slowed as one of the contractors went into administration).

Nearby the Council, despite a tangible lack of parking space in the estate, chose to build on a garage site in Newbury Avenue.

Again local representations were largely ignored.

Dumped mattress in Kingsway area

Dumped mattress in Kingsway area

The Residents Association were disgusted and threw in the towel.

Without an active Residents Association the Council then chose to end the regular skip visits to the area.

Fly tipping and dumping increased and a downward spiral began.

The most poignant symptom of the decline is probably the KARA noticeboard which has not been updated for nearly two years.

Fortunately the area now has new Councillors who will no doubt begin to re-establish a working relationship with the local community.

They could make a start by getting the noticeboards updated and the skip service restored.

Cornlads Road notiocebaord up to date

Cornlands Road noticeboard up to date

Ironically a small – but active – residents association, in the adjacent Cornlands area, manages to keep its two noticeboards bang up to date.

Le Tour Way to be officially opened

A new street off Beckfield Lane is to be named to mark the visit of the Tour de France to the City

The Council says, “on Friday 29 May, everyone living in or about to move into the 27 homes newly-built by City of York Council will be able to get together with their new neighbours and celebrate, like all good parties, with ice cream served, appropriately from a bicycle-powered cart, face painting and lots of yellow bunting – just like the Tour de France”.

The official ceremony will take place at 3pm in the street which is just off Beckfield Lane in Acomb, York.
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