Council meeting moves to Citadel as spending plans consultation starts

Council debates may be inspired by Citadel moto

York’s next full Council meeting will be held at the Citadel later this month (26 October) rather than in its usual home of York’s Guildhall.

The temporary venue – formerly the home of York’s Salvation Army and now owned by York City Church – will be used for full meetings of the Council for up to two years while the Guildhall is closed for construction work.

The Guildhall has been used for meetings since the 15th Century and the current council chamber dates back to 1891.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the full council meeting at the Citadel at 6.30pm on Thursday 26 October.

The results of the 2018 citywide budget consultation will help set the council’s financial priorities for the forthcoming year.

Despite already achieving savings of over £100m in the last decade through a combination of efficiency savings and reviewing the services it provides, the authority needs to make further savings of £6.1m in 2018/19 and £4.2m in 2019/20 to meet its budget.

Against this tough financial backdrop, demand for services continues to rise; mainly due to demographic changes and more people living longer. At the same time the financial support received from central government has been reduced.

The central government grant accounted for 40 per cent of the council’s income in 2012/13 but fell to just seven per cent last year. By 2020, York will receive no government grant. That means the services the council provides will have to be funded from a share of business rates, from the council tax and through any fees and costs it charges.

Council leaders hope that the responses to the questionnaire will help guide future spending decisions, particularly whether the authority should ‘balance its books’ by:

Reducing the number of services it provides, or stop providing them altogether.
Finding ways of providing services more efficiently by working differently.
Charging more for services.
Increasing the amount of council tax.

People can put forward their views:

Online at www.york.gov.uk/consultations
By completing the survey in the council’s publication Our City [which is being distributed over the course of the next two weeks].
By popping along to one of four drop-in sessions, at Huntington Library on Wednesday 1 November; Archbishop Holgate’s School on Thursday 2 November; Acomb Explore Library on Tuesday 7 November or West Offices on Wednesday 8 November, all between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

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Residents invited to talk rubbish as York council reviews recycling sites

City of York Council wants to know more about how residents use recycling banks across the city, and how they want to use them in the future.

The council is reviewing around 50 sites which contain banks for recycling between one and 12 different materials. These are mainly situated in car parks, streets and other public areas of the city.

Residents are asked to fill in a short online survey to influence the review, which will look at the number of the sites, where they are located, the range of materials which can be recycled, and their general appearance.

Residents have until Wednesday 9 August to fill in the survey, which they can access from consultation page of council’s website https://www.york.gov.uk/consultations

Councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for the environment, said:

Recycling bins in Acomb car park

“We want to improve our recycling rates further in York, and want to modernise the ‘bring banks’ network as it is looking tired in places, and some gaps have appeared in parts of the city where landowners have asked for them to be removed.

“We are receiving requests all the time for new materials such as cartons to be included and so want to respond to support residents.

We are encouraging residents to engage with the council to fill in the survey so that we can provide the right recycling banks in the right places.”

In 2016/17, the recycling sites collected an estimated 800 tonnes of materials, and cost the council around £75,000.

The city’s two Household Waste Recycling Centres are not part of this review.

UPDATE – COUNCIL PUBLISHES DEVELOPMENT PLAN as mystery surrounds Lowfields development exhibition

Consultation meeting on Wednesday

Village_Green_Masterplan Oct 2016

York Council officials have now given a preview of their plans for the redevelopment of the Lowfields school site (above).

The scheme – called “Lowfield Green” (sic) – includes the “provision of a care home, age related housing including bungalows, a health and police centre, family housing, plots for self-build and public open space”.

The scheme still involves building on the sports pitches but officials claim they wish to retain the mature trees on the site and provide a “pocket park and allotments“.

The Council plans to relocate the football provision to a site off of Tadcaster Road, in partnership with Woodthorpe Wanderers. This will allow them to have fenced off pitches which help with the “player environment”.

Residents are invited to two drop-in sessions with council officers who will explain the plans and answer questions. The drop-in sessions will take place on Wednesday 12 October and Tuesday 18 October between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at the Oak room, Gateway Community Church on Front Street. The plans will also be on display at Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre from Wednesday 12 October for 3 weeks where residents will be able to feedback.

Alternatively residents can have their say by emailing lowfield.development@york.gov.uk or see www.york.gov.uk/consultations.

Even a casual glance to the proposals confirms that they represent a gross over-development of the site. Fundamental mistakes include the provision of a through road from Dijon Avenue to Tudor Road (previous plans had indicate access from two cul de sacs to minimise short cutting).

The plans include two big traffic generators.

One is the GP surgery which is to be transferred from its present location on Cornlands Road. While there are bus stops within 100 metres of the Cornlands Road site the nearest equivalent public transport point to Lowfields is about 1/4 mile away on Front Street (although a one direction service does serve Tudor Road). This means that most who attend the surgery will drive to the site.

Another big traffic generator would be the proposed Police depot. The Police intend to close their Acomb Road station and relocate vehicle parking, messing and briefing facilities. There are no plans to provide a manned police reporting desk (either here or at the Acomb Library which is the location favoured by the majority of local residents). However 24/7 vehicular access will be required.

Taken together the Surgery and Police depot will have a major impact on traffic levels and parking problems in what is currently a quiet residential area.

Although putting starter homes near to elderly persons accommodation may seem attractive to some, history suggests that the differing lifestyles of the two age groups are rarely compatible,. We think that the site should be reserved for older residents who could be encouraged to “downsize” from their exiting larger houses, freeing them for family use

All in all these are very disappointing proposals.

The Council has not yet even responded to the public consultation comments submitted a couple of months ago when the Draft Local Plan revealed that the number of homes planned for Lowfields had more than doubled.

The Council should let that process conclude before tabling new plans.

There is a suspicion that the rush to sell off the site – which could raise £4.5 million – is simply a way of funding the extravagant plans for the Burnholme site on the other side of the City.

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EARLIER – Residents have criticised the York Council for not updating them about the future of the Lowfields school site.

Many returned comment forms when a Local Plan consultation took place in Acomb 2 months ago. No one has received any feedback.

Residents had also been told in the summer that a further consultation event would be held during October but so far the Council have not confirmed that this will actually take place.

Residents completing a survey form had criticised the Council plans which would see building on the school playing fields. This was a direct contravention of assurances given when the school closed over 6 years ago and flies in the face of national government policy on the retention of sports pitches and facilities.

Latest residents survey results

Residents want to see the site used predominantly to provide accommodation aimed at older age groups. They have been particularly concerned about proposals to move police vehicle garaging & messing facilities from the present York Road site into the area. They fear that 24/7 access will exacerbate, already difficult, traffic and parking issues in the small estate.

Two weeks ago the NHS said that it had discounted the site as a possible location for a new mental health hospital

The Council is next scheduled to discuss the Lowfields plans at a meeting taking place on 8th December.

Current York Council consultations

A consultation on a proposed review of City of York Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy has opened.

At the Licensing Committee meeting on 25 April, it was agreed to pursue North Yorkshire Police’s request to amend the local authority’s current policy. Published in 2014, it includes a ‘Special Policy’ which relates to applications for the variation of a premises licence or club premises certificates.

The police believe these variations to licensed hours or style of operation can have as much impact locally as granting a new license. To give these variations greater weight and to reflect that they can significantly change the nature of the original license conditions, the force has requested that the policy’s ‘Effects of the Special Policy’ section is changed.

This section of the policy currently reads:
5. “Application for the variation of a premises licence or club premises certificate due to a change of style of operation:

Any application for the variation of style of operation which is subject to relevant representations will be considered on its own merits having regard to the promotion of the licensing objectives

6. Application for the variation of a premises licence or club premises certificate resulting in an extension of the premises and increased capacity:

There will be a presumption to refuse such applications, where relevant representation are received and where the increase in capacity would undermine the licensing objectives unless the applicant can rebut the presumption that the granting of such a variation would undermine the licensing objectives.

7. Application to vary the hours of operation attached to a premises licence or club premises certificate:

All applications that seek to extend the licensed hours will be considered on an individual basis. No different policy will apply in this area as opposed to the rest of the city.”

The a new form of words proposed is:

5. “The following variations are considered to be material:

• change in style of operation

• physical extension of the premises that increases capacity

• extension of hour of operation

and therefore, there will be a presumption to refuse such applications, where relevant representations are received [deleted and] unless the applicant can rebut the presumption that the granting of such a variation would undermine the licensing objectives.”

Views can be sent by email to: licensing.unit@york.gov.uk or posted to Licensing Section, City of York Council, Eco Depot, Hazel Court, York YO10 3DS.

Other current Council consultations
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York private sector housing standards plan open for consultation

York slum circa 1933

A consultation is being shared by City of York Council with residents, partners in health, housing, and those involved in the private rented market, regarding a draft Private Sector Housing Strategy.

Using data from research carried out by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and commissioned by the council, the strategy aims to make homes in York safer and healthier places.

The strategy itself outlines plans to work closely with partners and residents to tackle poverty and disadvantage and to ensure that homes are healthier for their occupants.

These improvements to health and wellbeing aim to protect the vulnerable and dovetail with a vision for York to be a leading sustainable city with ongoing economic prosperity. Under the new One Planet York programme the city will strive for vibrancy and diversity of the local economy, the health and social wellbeing of residents and the quality of the built and natural environment.
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“On Line” survey asks what York Police tax should be

With crime levels increasing in parts of York, a consultation survey has begun.

It asks whether the police tax should be increased by 1.99% next year.

Recently the government announced that there would be no reduction in the grant that it gives to Police forces.

The survey can be completed by clicking here

The Crime Commissioners Office only hints at how any extra money raise could be spent although residents have an opportunity to “write in” comments.

There are elections for a new Police and Crime Commissioner on 5th May 2016

More information is available here. The last PCC elections produced the lowest elector turnout ever recorded (15%).

York Council budget and newspaper

The York Council is also conducting a survey of residents views on its new budget. It can be completed here “on line“

The Council is delivering another “Our City” newspaper with a survey form enclosed.

However, they are not giving residents an opportunity to give a verdict on the likely local increase in Council Tax (expected to be 3.99%)

The Council newspaper – which costs residents around £40,000 a year – also has a section devoted to “local news” which appears to be aimed at encouraging participation in how Ward Committee funds are spent.

click to access

Click to access

York Council consultations near closure date

“Improving public engagement” survey available but still not publicised

Improving Public Engagement

Engagement survey

Our Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee is reviewing the potential for improving public engagement, the take up of services through digital means and our ability to respond. We welcome your views and experiences of engaging with us via our Improving Public Engagement survey.

Consultation closes 31 December 2015

Public Protection review

Our Public Protection service is under review. We would welcome views and comments from businesses about our proposals and how we can make best use of resources including a variety of environmental health, trading standards, licensing and regulatory functions. Have your say in our Public Protection survey.

Consultation closes 31 December 2015

Designer Outlet Park and Ride Bus Service

The Designer Outlet Park and Ride bus service currently calls at all stops along Fulford Main Street, Fulford Road and Fishergate. It is proposed that, from the start date of the new Park & Ride contract in 2017, the number of intermediate stops is reduced.

We would like to hear from Fulford and Fishergate residents and other users of the Designer Outlet P&R service to understand their views on the proposed changes.

Consultation closes 6 January 2016

Minerals and Waste Joint Plan

City of York Council is working with North Yorkshire County Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority to produce a Minerals and Waste Joint Plan covering all three planning authority areas. When finalised the new plan will help us take decisions on planning applications for minerals and waste developments over the next 15 years. Find out more about the latest draft and have your say in the preferred options consultation on North Yorkshire’s consultation website.

Consultation closes 15 January 2016

Budget Consultation 2016-17

City of York Council’s Executive is facing some tough decisions in 2016-17. To help shape the 2016-17 Budget proposals, the council is inviting residents to have their say:

Via our online Budget Consultation survey

By post to: FREEPOST RTEG-TYYU-KLTZ Budget consultation City of York Council West Offices Station Rise York YO1 6GA
By hand at West Offices or libraries/Explore Centres

Consultation closes 20 January 2016

Consultation opens on sexual entertainment venues

City of York Council is seeking the views of local residents and businesses on sexual entertainment venues as part of work to draft a new policy.

More commonly known as lap or pole dancing or gentlemens’ clubs, these venues are regulated by the council using Government legislation introduced in 2009.

The council’s Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee has asked for the policy to be refreshed and work is underway identifying national best practice, and inviting input from residents, businesses and licensees through the consultation.

Conservative Councillor David Carr, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, said: “Involving all interested parties in this consultation is key to shaping an appropriate and workable policy. This matter impacts on many aspects of our city and we welcome comment on it.”

One of York’s high profile lap dancing clubs is run by a prominent Tory candidate.

The consultation’s closing date is 5 August and it is at: www.york.gov.uk/consultations or www.york.gov.uk/licensing

University Road Cycle Route; Safety Improvements Consultation

City of York Council in partnership with the University of York, are proposing to undertake safety improvements and construct a cycle route alongside University Road to help make the area more accessible and safer for students and residents.

The proposed cycle path will extend along the northern side of University Road between Siwards Way and Innovation Way roundabouts, and will mainly be new construction within the existing verge area. The existing path areas near the library bus stops will be retained.
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Anger grows over 20 mph speed limits

Dringhouses Labour Councillor opposes consultation with residents.

A Labour Councillor has claimed in the media that residents should not be consulted over wide area 20 mph speed limits. She says that most are in favour of the scheme.

The claim comes at a time when some residents are reacting angrily to having expensive signs erected on short cul de sacs where it is impossible to accelerate to even 15 mph.

In some areas, signs have already been vandalised.

The Councillors comment can only inflame public opinion and fails to acknowledge that, in some areas where the new limits have been imposed, the number of accidents recorded has actually increased.

The new Council, which will be elected in 2015, will have the unenviable job of deciding whether to throw good money after bad and have the signs removed.

Common sense says that the programme should be suspended. This would potentially save around £200,000 – money which could be spent on targeted accident prevention work.

The results of the new limits, already rolled out in west York, could then be assessed before the policy is thoroughly reviewed.

NB. In a poll of all residents living in the Westfield and Dringhouses wards, only 5% of respondents say that they favour a “wide area” 20 mph speed limit.

York commentary archive site

Council meeting moves to Citadel as spending plans consultation starts

Have your say on York’s spending plans

Residents invited to talk rubbish as York council reviews recycling sites