Jan 2014— Demolition work starts at the former Beckfield Lane tip site. It was to become a housing development. A huge increase in car parking charges is announced
Feb 2014— Another increase in Council Tax was implemented with a government freeze subsidy snubbed for the second year running. York was to get another lap dancing club. Lack of openness in the Councils approach to public sector appointments was criticised. The Council continued to refuse to publish bus reliability information. £300,000 asking price for a flat in Rougier Street above a bus shelter (it was never built). Waterworld ran into financial difficulties (it was to close later in the year)
March 2014— The (free) Minster parking badge was to be scrapped. A spy camera van would be used to enforce parking restrictions. The Council spent £238,000 on poles for 20 mph signs. £1.6 million was to be spent remodelling Newgate market
April 2014— Lendal Bridge/Coppergate fine income tops £2 million. An adjudicator rules that the fines are unlawful. Labour are forced to switch off the ANPR cameras. The Council releases details of more Green Belt land that they wanted to develop but abandon traveller site proposals
May 2014— Councillors start to desert York Council Labour Group. Controversy looms over Tour de France campsite and “Grand Departy” arrangements.
June 2014— Electric buses arrived in York, four years after initial trials. Labour blocked a Public Inquiry into the Lendal Bridge fiasco. York Social Services decline into financial chaos.
July 2014— Marygate car park got a barrier at a cost of £100,000. Recycling rates are down in York. The Lowfields Care village project falters. The Grand Departy concert is a disaster costing taxpayers £187,000. A two year delay in the Community Stadium project was confirmed.
August 2014— There are continuing delays in bringing the new Poppleton park and ride site into operation. Local Westfield Councillor Lynn Jeffries passes away.
September 2014— York Council labelled a “Rotten Borough” by Private Eye. New gypsy and showman’s sites revealed. The Council is spending £30,000 a year maintaining the empty Oliver House EPH (it is still empty despite an offer of over £3million for the building).
October 2014— “Big City or Our City” Council abandon Local Plan. Yearsley swimming pool threatened. Council leaders force charity workers resignation and 2 more Labour Councillors quit party. LibDem Andrew Waller wins Westfield by election with huge majority.
November 2014— The new balanced Council decides to save the Castlegate youth centre from closure. An extra garden waste collection agreed. Future of Guildhall still in doubt (later Labour agree to spend £9.2 million turning it into a media centre). James Alexander resigns as Council Leader.
December 2014— Fears for subsidised bus services grow. Yearsley pool reprieved. Boyes will open a new store in Front Street. Now a Tory Councillor quits his group on the Council after anti Green Belt comments.
Westfield Focus in 2014
The way we were