Policing concerns at record high levels in Westfield

Early results from a survey of residents opinion on public service standards have revealed that over a third of respondents rate policing in the estate as “poor”. When asked about Policing services residents rated it as

Vandalism a growing problem

  • Good – 13%
  • Satisfactory – 49%
  • Poor – 38%

This represents a marked decline from previous results

Many residents, responding to a separate Westfield Focus survey, said that they hadn’t seen a Police Officer or PCSO in their street during the previous 4 weeks

The Lib Dems have now announced that they would give the North Yorkshire police force an extra £2.8 million a year

Liberal Democrats have announced they would boost investment in police forces by £300m a year. This is in stark contrast to the Conservatives who have overseen devastating cuts to community policing. Theresa May as Home Secretary and now Prime Minister has cut policing budgets by over £2bn, eroding the very fabric of community policing.

Under the Liberal Democrats North Yorkshire would see a funding increase of £2.8 million a year. This could be used to restore a visible policing presence in the community and ensure the police have the training and tools to deal with the changing nature of crime.

“This investment in our police is absolutely vital. Under Theresa May – first as Home Secretary and now as Prime Minister, our police have had to deal with the most brutal of cuts. These are now cutting into the bone.

“Our police work tirelessly to keep us safe and this Government has completely betrayed them.

“Only the Liberal Democrats have a credible plan to reverse the increase in violent crime, boost community confidence and ensure the police have the resources they need to keep us safe.”

 

  •  On policing cuts: According to figures from the National Audit Office (NAO), from 2010/11 to 2015/16 central government grant to police and crime commissioners and their equivalents in London including specific grants and council tax freeze grants has reduced £2.2 billion in real terms. This represents a 22% real terms reduction. – http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7279/CBP-7279.pdf
  • On police strength: At 31 March 2016 total strength of the 43 police forces in England & Wales reached just over 124,000 FTE officers. This is the lowest number of police officers recorded under the current strength measure. This is not a pattern we see in Scotland where police numbers have seen year on year increases almost continuously since 1985.
  • On neighbourhood policing: In the PEEL report Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabularies warned that the neighbourhood policing model was under threat due to funding cuts. The report stated:
  • Since 2015, there has been a substantial drop in the proportion of people who say they have seen the police, on foot or in a police car, regularly, in their area. Our research shows that, now, fewer than one in five people feel there is a regular uniformed police presence in their area. Where neighbourhood teams exist, police officers are routinely taken away from their local areas to meet demands in other parts of the force area, leaving a reducing number of PCSOs as the mainstay of community teams. – https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/state-of-policing-2016.pdf

That was the week that was in west York in pictures 30th April 2017

An upgraded CCTV camera has been installed near the shops on Chapelfields. We hope that it  -, together with increased high visibility police patrols – will reduce crime levels in the area. We’re also told that – after repairs to the doors – all the garages in The Wandle block have been let.

Still high levels of fly tipping in west York. These are some of the numerous cases that we have reported

Good to see that the parking bay lines have now been repainted. We’ve reported the full – and damaged – litter bin

The growing season is upon us and several hedges are now obstructing footpaths. Particularity disappointing was the failure by the Council to take prompt action to remove the self seeded bushes on Askham Lane which block the view from the bus shelter.

Still a mystery over why the road was closed on Friday. Most of the speed tables in the Windsor Garth area are breaking up.
Shame more information is not posted by the Council on local noticeboards. What’s there is out of date and pretty untidy

New 40 mph speed signs have been erected covering the section of Wetherby Road to the by pass. Residents hope that the buffer will reduce speeds in the built up area. The Vehicle Activated Speed signs on the road are both working. A very quick check revealed that about 10% of motorists still activate the 30 mph limit reminder

Police appeal after windows smashed on Bramham Road, York

Vandalism still a problem in parts of York

 North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about a criminal damage that occurred on Bramham Road, York, on the evening of 29 March 2017.

It happened on Bramham Road at around 9pm on 29 March 2017 and involved a dark figure believed to be male approaching the address and throwing broken pieces of paving slab through the front windows.

We are conducting enquiries and are requesting the public’s assistance to help determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Gareth Foster.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12170053054.

Contact details:

gareth foster – #837
gareth.foster@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk | 101
Incident reference:
12170053054

LibDem survey asks about NHS, police profile and garages

A new survey launched today in west York seeks residents views on the NHS, GP appointments, dentists, Police visibility and council garages

The survey will be delivered to each household in the Westfield area but can be completed “on line” by clicking here http://tinyurl.com/springsur

A similar survey, completed in the autumn in the Chapelfields estate, revealed that:

  • Most tenants thought that the Council was doing a good job in managing houses in York. Despite this high rating—which mirrors the Councils own poll results—York is still considering passing Council housing management to a third party.
  • Unfortunately no one thought that the police were doing a good job in controlling crime levels in the Chapelfields area. This probably reflects recent problems with anti social behaviour although residents were evenly divided when asked whether vandalism, graffiti and rowdy behaviour had increased during the last year.
  • 67% did say that they thought that more should be invested in crime prevention
  • No strong views were expressed on a proposal to secure the Grange Lane park boundary with a kissing gate (to stop access by motorcyclists)

 

 

 

Business rate valuations mostly up in Acomb

Community centre faces 50% hike in Rates

Sanderson House faces rates hike

Sanderson House faces rates hike

Further detail has emerged of the new Business Rates that will be payable in Acomb and elsewhere in the City.

Generally, valuations have increased by around 10% although there are very wide variations.

This means that most shopkeepers in the area will pay more than they currently do when the valuations are introduced next year.

Examples of valuations – which can be found on the government web site by clicking here – are shown in the table below.

Business rates in Acomb

The figures quoted do not indicate the actual amount which is paid. A multiplier – which changes each year – is applied get the actual amount to be paid.

Still there are some shockers on the list not least the huge hikes in rates for the Community Centres in Chapelfields (+50%) and Foxwood (+17%). Charities do get relief on their rate payments but the changes are difficult to understand against a background where some businesses, like Ladbrokes bookmakers, will enjoy reductions of around 7%.

Elsewhere Liberal Democrat Councillor Sue Hunter has backed the idea of a new investment scheme for Front Street and called on the council “to give Acomb the support it deserves”.

A recommendation for a “wider renewal and reinvigoration scheme” was agreed by York’s Executive Member for Transport & Planning at a meeting yesterday in response to petitions presented by Lib Dem councillors in Acomb and Foxwood.

Over the summer, Cllr Sue Hunter organised a petition signed by over 800 residents calling for action to fix pavements in Front Street to help those who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and support the local shopping area. Meanwhile, Cllr Sheena Jackson organised a petition calling for improvements to the pavements around Foxwood Shops.

In response to the petitions, it was agreed that standard repairs will continue and that further work is carried out to appraise the possibilities for a wider renewal and reinvigoration scheme for both locations and a report prepared for the Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement. (more…)

Developer eyes land next to Chapelfields

Chapelfields developmentAccording to papers seen by Ward Councillors, a developer is  still hoping to build on land at the top of Grange Lane. The news came only days after the Council announced that all existing Green Belt land lying between the built up area and the A1237 northern bypass would continue to be protected.

The confirmation of the existing Green Belt boundaries was made possible after the LibDems identified sufficient “brownfield” (previously developed) land to meet housing needs for the foreseeable future.

In total around 12,000 additional homes will be provided over the next 20 years under the new Local Plan

It means that building works will be concentrated on sites like the rear of the railway station.

However developers can appeal against this decision and they may have the support of the Labour party which originally tabled proposals which would have seen the City increase in size by 25%.

Local Councillor Andrew Waller has criticised the Grange Lane plans.

Aug 2016 Find out more Local Plan“Development on this site would exacerbate traffic problems in the area which are already acute at school arrival and leaving times. 

The fields between Chapelfields and the ring road provide a soft boundary between the open countryside and  the City and include some informal recreational walks.

They shouldn’t be sacrificed so a private individual can make a quick profit”.

“I hope that residents will write to the Council supporting the existing Green Belt boundaries”. 

Response forms are available on the Council’s website (www.york.gov.uk/localplan ) or are available from the Council’s West Offices reception or from Acomb library.