The Council is dealing promptly now with graffiti reports. The new system seems to be working well.
Graffiti , bins and footpaths reported
Only 8 fines levied for dog fouling in York during last 3 years
The latest figures published on the Councils open data web site say that only 8 fixed penalty tickets have been issued for dog fouling since April 2015.
No penalty notices have been issued at all since June last year.
Similarly, no Community Protection Notices (see right) for dog fouling have been issued since 2015
The York Council receives around 2000 requests for action each year on cleansing issues which includes dog fouling. It no longer publishes the number of complaints it receives about full poop scoop bins but it used to be around 20 a month..
A contract was let in April for the replacement of ageing “poop scoop” bins in the City.
Several campaigns have been run to highlight the risks associated with dog fouling. These included, in some areas like Foxwood, displaying eye catching posters while in others local residents highlighted “poop” on footpaths with spray markers.
Whether the problem has got better, or worse over recent months is difficult to assess.
Issues can be traced back to 2012 when the, then Labour controlled, Council scrapped the “dog warden” service. At the same time, they reduced the number of litter and dog bins in the City.
Staffing crisis means litter bins not being emptied in west York
The York Council has fallen behind with litter and poop scoop bin emptying this week.
The failures are put down to staff sickness.
Many bins in the west of the City are now full to overflowing.
So far the Council has not issued any information about what it is doing to remedy the problems – which in warm weather – may have public health implications
York Council to up litter bin emptying frequency in City Centre
“Rover” inspects new poop scoop / Litter bin at the entrance to Grange Lane park
New litter bins arriving in Westfield
We understand that the York Council will shortly consider extending the hours that litter bins are emptied in the City centre.
New bin on Chesney’s Field
A meeting taking place on 28th November will consider implementing the trial of an additional litter bin servicing round which will see bins emptied from 06.30 to 21.00.
The objective is to improve the visual appearance of the city centre foot streets.
Litter on our streets seems to have increased in recent months so the new plan is to be welcomed.
New bin in Foxwood Park
The trial is being sponsored by the York BID although the funding only covers the period up to the 31st March 2017, when the success of the initiative will be reviewed.
Meanwhile litter problems in the Westfield area are being tackled.
New and replacement litter/poop scoop bins are being installed at some locations this week.
The bins are being funded by the Ward Committee.
Still a lot of litter on Bramham Road
Action taken on full poop scoop bin, high hedges and overgrown flower beds in Foxwood
Today we’ve reported a full bin in Oldman Court!
We’ve asked for the bin on Oldman Court to be emptied.
Some access paths across the verge on Bellhouse Way are overgrown with grass. We’ve asked for them to be made safe
Verge crossover disappearing do to lack of maintenance
Elsewhere we’ve reported more overgrown hedges and flower beds. We understand that the Council’s garden care scheme is running behind schedule. Andrew Waller is addressing the issue
Flower beds need trimming in Corlett Court
Dumped rubbish reported
Some bushes are overgrown
LibDems take action as vandals strike west York
As we reported yesterday, crime levels are becoming an increasing concern in York.
Over the weekend a telephone kiosk on Thanet Road and a litter bin on Woodthorpe Green were both damaged.
Burnt out bin on Woodthorpe Green
Vandalised phone box
Another unusual hazard has arisen on St Stephens Road. Bees are swarming in a tree there. We hope to get a bee keeper to take them away.
Bees swarming in a tree in St Stephens Road
Elsewhere more mundane issues have been reported by Andrew Waller following one of his periodic inspection tours.
Speed cushion on Kingsway West is breaking up
A speed cushion on Danesfort Avenue requires attention
Dumping on Middleton Road has been reported
A pothole on Windsor Garth has been reported
Full poop scoop bin on the Foxwood Park has been reported for emptying
Finally some good news with the flower tubs on Beagle Ridge Drive – which are sponsored by the residents association – having been planted out by volunteers
Volunteers have planted out the tubs on Beagle Ridge Drive which are beginning to look good.