The York Council has published for the first time its post lockdown strategy. The report was considered and agreed today. There was no prior consultation.
The Council has decided to make Coppergate one way (east to west) cutting one of the City’s key bus routes for the next 6 months “or until a vaccine is available”. Cyclists will be able to continue to use the street in both directions although, at the “pinch point” near the Coppergate centre entrance, this may compromise social distancing objectives.
The Council strategy says there will be, ”Active discouragement of the use of public transport and the promotion of walking and cycling”. (Paradoxically the Council has also announced today a bid for funding for more electric buses)
The Council isn’t expecting many retail workers to return to City centre jobs much before December. Restaurant and pub (hospitality) workers may be out of a job for even longer.
More local and county residents are expected to start to visit the City centre from the autumn together with smaller numbers of day visitors from other parts of the region. Later they will be joined by tourists from other parts of the country.
International tourists are not expected to return in any numbers before the late Spring of 2021.
The “strategy” pointedly does not propose a marketing plan aimed at actually promoting the City, and its key visitor/retail economy, over the next few months.
The Council leaders plan involves the closure of the key (for the retail economy) Castle car park without its planned multi storey replacement being opened at St Georges Field.
The notoriously unreliable “pay on exit” mechanisms will also be rolled out to all car parks – negating the social distancing preferred option of contactless payment via smart phone Apps.
The strategy offers little for the suburbs. The option of encouraging devolved open air markets is not even mentioned. There is no publicity support on offer for neighbourhood businesses. More cycle parking is, however, promised.
Many may have sympathy with a key message included in the strategy which “proposes to invest and make bold interventions to create new networks of park and cycle hubs, priority cycle routes, subsidised cycle hire and cycle parking to prioritise active travel”.
Those reading further will see that there are no actions proposed to address the natural barriers to two wheeled transport (poor infrastructure, uneven highways, obstructed paths, etc.) Much less does the statement recognised that some sections of the community because of distance, fitness, luggage or just poor weather, simply don’t have a realistic two wheeled travel option.
No forecasts of modal change are included. The Council simply doesn’t seem to know what effect implementing such a rag bag of tactical polices might have.
So we judge the document to be a profoundly superficial and disappointing proposal shuffled into the light of day with no prior consultation and apparently lacking even sensitivity to the difficult choices now facing many sections of the community.
Hopefully work will have already started on producing something more convincing. First step should be to regain the trust and supportl of local residents.
People living alone and most single parents in England can stay at another household from Saturday. Adults living alone in England, including single parents with children under 18, will be able to form a “social bubble” with one other household
You can meet with up to 5 other people in England, but you must stay outdoors and keep 2 metres apart.
Deaths
The have been no more coronavirus deaths at York Hospital. The total remains at 126.
A spokeswoman for NHS Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said it had now discharged 500 patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 from York Hospital and Scarborough Hospital to continue their recovery.
The total number of positive COVID lab test results for York remains at 462
York preparing to reopen more of the city for residents to enjoy safely says Council
“One way system being introduced in some streets”.
Public toilets reopening
City of York Council is preparing to reopen more of the city from Monday 15 June for residents to enjoy safely, following recent changes in national guidance.
The re-opening is part of the council’s Economic Recovery – Transport and Place Strategy, to build resident, visitor and stakeholder confidence that York is a safe, healthy and attractive place for everyone to enjoy.
In line with the Government relaxing the restrictions for retailers and businesses on Monday, the council is introducing a number of new measures to support the reopening of our city.
From Monday, the city centre pedestrian zones will be extended to support local businesses, providing residents with more space to social distance, making access to shops and businesses easier.
The council is also exploring a further extension of the pedestrian zone hours into the evening, to coincide with the reopening of our cafes, bars and restaurants. This could include pedestrian areas being opened up to help businesses operate outside, to ensure space for social distancing.
New safety and guidance street signs/floor stickers and markings are being placed across the city centre for pedestrians. This will be extended to York’s secondary shopping areas, which could include areas like Haxby and Acomb.
One way pavement sticker
Signage will be placed at key areas on footstreets and the highway to provide guidance on which routes are one way, where to keep left and where to social distance.
The same signage is included and has been shared as part of a comprehensive guidance for retailers wishing to welcome customers from 15June.
All the pack contents and many more designs and posters, including resources for display within staff areas, are available to businesses to download and print.
To receive one of these packs for free, businesses, charities and other organisations welcoming customers are advised to register at www.york.gov.uk/BusinessToolkit . The packs will be available to collect on 12 and 13 June this week from convenient locations. Please register by midday Thursday for a collection on Friday.
Public toilets
To coincide with many retailers and businesses reopening their doors, the council is also reopening its public toilets on the Monday 15 June.
Changes have been made in the toilets to protect members of the public and staff, including:
automatic flushes
automatic water and soap dispensers
replacing hand dryers (which cannot be used) with hand towels
more regular and increased cleaning
Clear guidance has also been placed in all toilets, including:
social distancing floor stickers
advice on how to wash hands or use hand santiser
instructions on not touching surfaces or handles and using paper towels where possible.
Residents will be able to give feedback about the plan by participating in the city-wide consultation “Our Big Conversation” helping to set the long-term vision for our city. This will be launched in the next couple of weeks
Residents can stay up-to-date with the latest proposals and Our Big Conversation by signing up to the weekly resident newsletter:www.york.gov.uk/form/EmailUpdates
To stay up-to-date with the proposals or find out more information please visit: www.york.gov.uk/letsbeyork
Live Q&A to discuss resident questions on reopening the city centre and schools
Join the next live #AskTheLeaders Coronavirus Q&A on the council’s Facebook page this Monday 15 June at 5-6pm, as the panel discuss your questions and comments about the city’s response to Coronavirus
This next question and answer session will discuss your questions, with a special focus on the further re-opening of city centre businesses, phasing children’s return to school and how York will do this safely.
Residents can watch live on Facebook to hear from:
Cllr Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Change
Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education
Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health
Amanda Hatton, Director of Children, Education and Communities
Maxine Squire, Assistant Director of Education and Skills
James Gilchrist, Assistant Director for Transport, Highways and Environment
Andrew Lowson, Executive Director, York BID
In this, the council’s third live coronavirus question and answer session, special guest Andrew Lowson from York BID will be taking questions regarding next week’s further re-opening of the city centre as restrictions lift to allow non-essential business to open.
How can I get involved?
Residents can interact with the session by either submitting questions in advance by emailing them to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk or commenting on the live video on Facebook where leaders will read out questions and respond.* Questions may be answered by theme rather than individually, so that the conversation covers as many topics as possible.
Birth registration resumes for new parents
Following updated government guidance and the installation of several health and safety measures, York Register Office is opening for birth registrations from Monday 15 June, by appointment only.
The Register Office will not be open to the public for any other reason, until further government guidance is given, in order to reduce the chance of infection.
To start with, we want to give priority to those whose babies were born earlier in the year who have been unable to register until now and are asking that new parents yet to register a birth on or before 23 March book an appointment.
In the coming weeks new mums and dads of babies born after 23 March will also be able to book an appointment to register the birth. We will provide further updates on our website and social media.
Parents are asked to contact the Register Office to let us know you need an appointment by emailing registerabirth@york.gov.uk. When sending the email, please provide your baby’s date of birth, parents’ names and a telephone number for us to call you on to set a time for your appointment.
Those unable to email can call 01904 654477.
A number of safety measures have been put in place to allow the Register Office to undertake registrations:
Perspex screens have been installed in the interview rooms
Hand sanitiser is available in all areas
Regular disinfecting of the office throughout the day
A one way in/out system has been introduced with clear directional signage to the interview rooms and exit point
Reduced the need to touch surfaces at the office including doors.
People are asked not to attend their appointment if they:
have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 – continuous cough, fever or loss of taste and smell
are living with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19
Those who are shielding should follow the advice they have received from their GP and or the government. The latest information for those shielding is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
The Register Office is closely monitoring guidance around other services, such as weddings and will update residents with any developments.
The total (cumulative) number of people testing positive for coronavirus in York has remained at 462. This represents an infection rate of 220.1 cases per 100,000 people.
UPDATE; There have now been no COVID deaths at York hospitals since 29th May. The total for York and Scarborough remains at 210.
Some information is now available from the government about the trend in case numbers by local authority area. These are based on hospital tests and may not reflect the results from the Poppleton testing site (the results of which still haven’t been published).
Figures last updated on 5th June 2020
However, the picture is more encouraging now with infection numbers appearing to tail off.
Hopefully residents will help to consolidate the progress that has been made by the NHS and other professionals and will continue to observe strict social distancing and cleanliness standards.
A joint Public Health England and University of Cambridge study estimates the R rate for the North East and Yorkshire is 0.89. This is the lowest in the country.
Coronavirus cases in York since 1st January 2020
Face masks needed for hospital visits and public transport use
You’ll have to have a face mask if visiting York and Scarborough hospital from Monday, either as an out patient or a visit – and a surgical mask if you work there.
For the fifth successive day there have been no further deaths at the York hospital
Small business grant payments start – businesses encouraged to apply
City of York Council is encouraging eligible businesses to apply now for the upgraded scheme small and micro grant scheme, which has been created to support local businesses.
Grants payments between £1000 and £10,000 will support small businesses, including those in shared offices and flexible work spaces, science parks and incubators, regular market traders without a business rates assessment, nurseries, B&Bs paying council tax instead of business rates, and charity properties which all missed out under previous schemes are also eligible.
Small business and childcare nurseries up to £10000
Micro business up to £5000
B&Bs and market traders who live in York up to £2,500
Self-employed with fixed property costs up to £1000
To apply, businesses must have been trading before 11 March 2020, have a rateable value or annual mortgage of below £51,000, and demonstrate both an ongoing fixed property cost and significant financial impact of the coronavirus. It is not available to any business eligible for any other government COVID grant.
Grant payments are being processed in batches, with the first batch set to land in businesses accounts on Friday 5 June. The council is also telling businesses that have applied not to worry if they don’t receive their payment advice this weekend – there will be further payments every Friday over the next four weeks.
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:
“I’m pleased to see that our local grants payments are already being paid to small and micro businesses across the city, in order to help them through this incredibly tough time.”
“York’s small and micro businesses are at the heart of our vibrant economy and I would urge businesses who are yet to apply, to get in touch and apply for the support as soon as possible. As restrictions are eased, more small and micro businesses are reopening, so we understand how important these cash injections can be.
“From the very beginning of this crisis, we have worked to ensure our local businesses received swift support from the Council, particularly those who did not meet the criteria for government support. I am pleased that City of York Council has been recognized as one of the fastest local authorities in the country to distribute grants and rates relief, totalling £33m so far.”
“We will continue to make the case to Government, with our partners, to lobby for further financial support to support all our businesses, particularly as we work to put in place the foundations of our economic recovery.”
Councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for the economy and strategic planning, said:
“Staff across the council have worked quickly to process grants, with payments landing in businesses bank accounts shortly after the announcement of the scheme.
“Considerable effort and resource has been deployed to carry out the required checks as quickly as possible, in order to get these payments to businesses who need them after falling through the cracks of government support.
“I’d encourage businesses to check the eligibility criteria for these grants and apply as soon as possible if they are able to do so. We are already seeing the positive affect they are having for businesses during this incredibly difficult period.
The council is using an additional £2.2m discretionary government fund to expand its own small and micros grant scheme, which has already supported over 3,000 local businesses affected by coronavirus.
The council acted quickly to distribute £110m of grants and rates relief to over 4000 York businesses, and created its own £1m grant scheme to support over 1000 more businesses, which did not qualify for government support.
Under the discretionary fund, local authorities have been given an additional 5% of the total value of grants already distributed in York, together with some government rules and outline guidance on which businesses should benefit. However, this means councils have to use local knowledge to decide how to fairly distribute the money, as to benefit as many businesses as possible in the city.
Companies that are in financial difficulties because they fall outside the Government set limits are asked to contact Make it York to discuss their options. They can email business@makeityork.comCOMMENT ON THIS PAGE
York Council celebrates all those caring for others
In Carers Week (8-14 June) the council is inviting health and care services, schools, employers and businesses to celebrate and support the vital contribution by unpaid carers across the city.
This year in particular, tribute is paid to the enormous contribution made by unpaid carers during the coronavirus pandemic. They continue to play an essential role supporting friends and family who are older, disabled or seriously ill.
Where social distancing or shielding means that carers can’t do what they usually do, volunteers across the city have come forward. They have helped ensure that vital food supplies and medication are delivered, and that companionship and caring welfare calls continue to help keep people cared for and in contact with others.
Many people have found that during lockdown they have had to take on more caring responsibilities than usual. The council is encouraging them to contact the city’s Carer’s Centre to benefit from the support and advice it gives 01904 715490 or email enquiries@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk.
Cllr Carol Runciman, executive member for health and adult social care, said: “This Carers Week, we want to thank carers across the city more so than ever, for the amazing part they play in these extraordinary and challenging times.
“During this pandemic, so many people in York are caring for all parts of our community in new and different ways. We’ve been celebrating them and their work and making them more visible through our #YorkKind campaign. I thank them all.”
Carole Zagrovic at York Carers Centre, said: “We are delighted to be part of Carers Week to highlight the huge contribution unpaid carers make throughout our communities, often with little recognition or support for themselves.
“Making Caring Visible is about all of us taking some time to think about what unpaid carers do. That can range from a few hours to pick up prescriptions or help with shopping to providing personal care day and night to a child, husband or wife with complex and worsening health conditions.
“This is the one week when we as a society can show our appreciation of the challenges carers face, particularly through this difficult time, and to acknowledge and respect their value in our communities.”
Four days without any additional COVID deaths in York
THERE have been no further coronavirus related deaths within the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust recorded over the last 24 hours. The latest figures from NHS England confirm that the number of deaths within the trust has stayed at 210, for the fourth day running, meaning there have been no confirmed deaths recorded since Sunday. The trust includes York Hospital and Scarborough.
There were no additional hospital coronavirus deaths reported today (Wednesday). That is the third successive day without any additional deaths.
Two more cases of coronavirus were confirmed in York yesterday (Tuesday). The total now stands at 459 – an infection rate of 218.7 cases per 100,000 people.
York Council to “evolve beyond Coronavirus response”
The York Council has issued the following (largely impenetrable) statement
“Following the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, City of York Council has developed plans to set out how the organisation will adapt and evolve moving forward.
As part of the Council’s short-term recovery plan, the ‘corporate’ recovery of the council will see the continued reinstatement of services that have been affected by the pandemic. Some reinstated services are likely to include some changes, in order to allow for social distancing and ensure the safety of residents and council staff.
In addition to the reinstatement of services, the corporate recovery plan will detail how the council will continue to work with partners to lobby the Government for additional funding, respond to the challenges posed by the pandemic, and facilitate further investment in the city.
The council’s staff are its best asset in making this wide scale change happen, and to ensure staff are supported during this time, there will be an organisational development plan to support staff in new or amended operating models. This includes utilising more agile and flexible working arrangements, with the right technology to enable staff to do so.
Leader of City of York Council, Cllr Keith Aspden, said:
“The coronavirus pandemic has significantly affected how the council delivers services to residents and businesses. However, we are now in a position to look forward and consider how we can best evolve to continue providing crucial services to our communities, whilst ensuring the safety of residents and staff.”
“Of course, council staff will be key in making these changes happen and that is why we are working to deliver an organisational development plan to support them in these new, agile ways of working.”
“With the considerable funding challenges posed by the crisis, we will also look to maximise our influence to secure future investment in our city. The last few months have demonstrated how crucial local services have been to support residents during these difficult times, and the Government must recognise more funding is needed for Councils to continue providing this support.”
“Moving forward, our recovery plan will continue to prioritise resident involvement in our democratic process and we are currently developing our methods for further remote meetings.”
To help residents and businesses stay in touch with the latest developments, the council has developed regular newsletters. You can sign up at https://www.york.gov.uk/form/EmailUpdates“
Perhaps the actions that have attracted the most criticism during lockdown nationally have been those where politicians and senior officials have been seen to break their own rules. Several have been forced to resign although, at least, one has famously not.
Not surprisingly the words and actions of their local counterparts are also now under increasing scrutiny. Tomorrow some schools will reopen while those that have carried on educating the children of Key Workers can expect an influx of additional pupils. Opinions are mixed about the timing of this move and, indeed, the return of more people to their workplaces.
MPs have returned to Westminster albeit in a “social distancing” respecting way.
So why have the City’s democratic institutions not been revived? Apart from a couple of anaemic virtual Q & A sessions, local leaders seem to have preferred to issue the occasional policy edict.
They have seemed reluctant to submit to scrutiny.
The Councils scrutiny and audit functions – led by opposition Councillors – have been ineffective for many years, with participants trying to score political points while exploring their own self interest obsessions.
Never has there been a greater need for challenge than now when residents have so many real concerns about what has happened and what might happen if a second wave of COVID infections hits the City. Other areas are already making preparations
It seems extraordinary that City bosses can order teachers and children back to the classroom while they themselves hide behind the safety of virtual reality meetings. While the need for full scale Council meetings may be small at the present time, there is an urgent requirement for all decisions to be preceded with good quality, informed reports. Residents should be able to hear the arguments for and against controversial decisions like the Bishopthorpe Road contraflow cycle lane.
Many paths are now obstructed
Some Council services have actually improved during lockdown.
Street cleaning standards are high and pothole reports are being dealt with more quickly. This, though, has tended to highlight the awful state of many carriageways and paths – in itself the most likely reason (together with path obstructions) why many, who have taken up walking and cycling in their leisure times, may now return to their cars.
Some empty council houses have attracted dumping
There has also been an increase in the number of long term empty Council houses with some homes having become dumping grounds. The repair and re-letting service needs to get into gear. They can follow the lead of those estate agents who have successfully adapted to incorporate social distancing into their processes.
Whether some Councillors actually “get this” is unclear. They recently publish a letter saying that they estimated “that there would be over 700 (coronavirus) deaths in the City by October”.
So far there have been 126 deaths at York hospital, with a similar total in the local community.
If another 500 deaths are expected, why on earth are we relaxing the lockdown?
