Make a home for bees on Acomb Green tomorrow (Wednesday)
What’s on in York: Rugby on Acomb Green tomorrow (Monday)
That was the week that was – west York in pictures
The week started with the Sky Ride. Local Councillor Andrew Waller was near the front of the event as a reported 10,000 took part
The circus came to the Thanet Road sports area. This prompted complaints about fly posting and damage to recently planted trees. Posters for events like these can be displayed for two weeks in advance but must be removed within 2 days of the event finishing. On one evening there was some disturbance in the Chesney’s Field area and a noticeable increase in litter. The Council are being asked to consider limiting the number of fairs/circuses which are permitted in residential areas in each quarter.
Cllr Sue Hunter and local residents Andrea Cropper cleared potential hazardous weeds from the Acomb Green access steps
Job Done!
Foxwood Residents Association won a gold award at this years Yorkshire in Bloom contest. They outperformed many institutions who had been able to employ the services of professionals.
Foxwood Community centre garden
Cllr Sheena Jackson reported this offensive graffiti in the Tennent Road area. There has been an increase in graffiti issues in the area with some residents blaming the lack of high profile PCSO patrols partly for the decline.
Potholes on little Green Lane are getting bigger. The issue is being followed up by Cllr Andrew Waller
Lamppost on Bellwood Drive felled on Thursday
Over 30% of residents have so far returned the survey form issued in the Askham Lane/Grange Lane area earlier in the week.
The main issues raised by residents included poor car parking and lack of maintenance of trees and bushes. The Grange Lane/Parker Avenue alley was a particular source of complaint. The snicket is overgrown and subject to littering. Some residents want to see it closed, although this is unlikely as it is a Public Right of Way.
Many residents, responding to our survey question about future events at the Acomb Explore Library, have suggested that Councillors surgeries be held there. We’ve arranged for Advice Centres to take place on the second Wednesday in each month starting on 12th October.
What’s on in York: Knights at Acomb Green tomorrow Tuesday
Acomb Green booze ban takes step forward
The Council is set to confirm new restrictions on the use of Acomb Green at a meeting taking place on 20th June.
Acomb Green
On Acomb Green during 2015, North Yorkshire Police were called to 49 incidents, 44 of which were ASB and there were 5 criminal incidents.
The proposed ban, first announced in March, covers:
- Banning the drinking of alcohol
- The ability to remove large groups of 3 or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour (ASB)
- Banning under 16’s from the possession of lighters in the play area
- Setting the amount of any Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) at £100, which would be reduced to £75 if paid within the first 14 days.
The proposals received the support of over 90% of residents who responded to a Council consultation on the issue. This is similar to the number who responded to a separate survey included in the last issue of the local Focus newsletter. Ward Councillors and local Police also supported the restrictions.
Many residents wrote to highlight the problems that they had witnessed on The Green.
Asked whether there were any other improvement s that they would like to see, residents said a CCTV camera should be installed and they also felt that more enforcement action should be taken against dog fouling.
The “Public Space Protection Order” is likely to become effective later in the year
West Bank Park
Separately the Council is set to go ahead with similar restrictions in West Bank Park.
Here the Executive member is being recommended to impose a requirement that dogs should be kept on a lead between 8:00am and 6:00pm. Residents, in a consultation poll, had opposed this idea by 101 votes to 32.
Call for information on effectiveness of CCTV cameras in York
There are nearly 100 cameras monitoring public order issues and traffic conditions in York 24/7.
Bramham Road
A copy of the camera location list can be downloaded by clicking here.
The Council spends around £300,000 a year on the service and it procured a new maintenance contract last June.
The effectiveness of the cameras is not routinely reported to any Council committee.
In Westfield, there are cameras located on Bramham Road and near the junction of Front Street & York Road. The future of the camera in Bramham Road – currently an Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) hotspot – was threatened in 2012 when the Labour controlled Council refused to pay the license fee.
With ASB on the increase in parts of the City, there have been calls for an extension of monitoring arrangements to problem locations like Acomb Green.
In the meantime, the Council and North Yorkshire Police must reassure residents that the existing cameras are sited at optimum locations and that systems to alert the Police to developing incidents – particularly in sub-urban areas – are effective and producing results.
Restrictions on gangs and alcohol consumption on Acomb Green proposed
The Council is to consult residents on introducing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle the problems caused by youths in West Bank Park and Acomb Green.
The proposal will be considered on 4th April.
Acomb Green Play area group in 2011
Options that the Council could look at introducing, through a PSPO, include:
- A ban on drinking alcohol in both areas;
- The ability to remove large groups of 3 or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour for both sites;
- Banning the possession of lighters by under 16’s in the play area.
- A ban on people riding bicycles or motorised bikes through West Bank Park;
- Ensuring that dogs are kept on a lead at West Bank Park (current position) or relaxing this at certain times;
The proposals have been prompted by an increasing number of complaints about anti-social behaviour during the summer months. Between April and September, the police responded to 33 complaints about gangs gathering on the Green together with 4 about drunken behaviour and a further 4 where an attempt was made to set fire to the play equipment.
Similar issues arose at West Bank Park
If supported, the restrictions – which can be enforced by one the spot penalty notices – would also apply to the streets surrounding The Green.
Crime levels have been creeping up in York recently and residents will be expecting to see some effective remedies proposed by the candidates who are standing in the crime commissioner elections which are taking place in May.
What’s On: Acomb Green Carol service today (Monday)
Acomb Green Carol service is being held on Monday (December 14) at 6.30pm, around the Christmas Tree on the Green.
The event will feature the children from Westfield Primary School choir and the Adam community choir.
The event is usually very well-attended and is supported by the Friends Meeting House, who will be providing free hot chocolate.
A collection will be taken for Martin House Childrens Hospice.
People are advised to bring a torch, so they can read the carol song sheet.
Acomb Green Carol Service tomorrow (Monday)
