Council public service turmoil

The York Council is coming in for more criticism as – for the second day running – waste, recycling and green bin collection arrangements failed yesterday.

Residents were advised to leave out their bins but most remain unemptied.

Officially the Council’s excuse is that there is a shortage of HGV drivers. That has been true since BREXIT saw some drivers return to their homelands although other pressures have resulted from COVID absences and increasing numbers of jobs in the commercial delivery sector.

The actual HGV training (practical) only takes 5 days but the entire process from start to end will take around 8-10 weeks to get the licence in hand.

Usually employers pay for the training in return for a guarantee that the driver will stay with the company/authority for a minimum contract period.

Some HGV drivers can earn up to £45.000 a year. There are an estimated 500,000 vacancies for HGV drivers in the UK.

The Council first identified a shortage of HGV drivers in November 2018 click.

It appears to have made little progress in the interim to ensure that vacancies can be covered.

In the meantime, it needs to be more proactive in telling residents when they can expect to have their waste collected.

If necessary, auxiliary “bring” sites should be established for green waste.

It is not just refuse collection failings which are causing concerns.

Many sports fields and play areas have not had the grass trimmed for several weeks. The neglect runs contrary to the Council s policy of tackling obesity and encouraging healthy lifestyles. When they are eventually cut, mounds of cuttings blight the parks and amenity spaces.

*Overgrown grass, poor maintenance and blocked footpaths*

Weeds are now growing rapidly in many gutters. The spraying contractors got off to an early start this year but standards have gradually declined as the summer growing season has got into full swing. Where gutters have not been swept properly, weeds are now reaching a metre or more in height. Again the Council have failed to tell residents when they can expect to see their streets treated,

The promised rain later this week, will see more rapid growth in grass, weeds and bushes. Many of the latter are already obstructing footpaths.

*The Council web site confirms that they cut grass “every two to three weeks”*

Coronavirus York updates; 15th June 2021

Government advice

Although York is not yet classed as an area where the Delta strain of the virus is most prolific, here is some advice from the government.

The new COVID-19 variant (known as Delta) spreads more easily than the other variants that were previously most common. To help stop the spread, you should:

Get both doses of the vaccine when you are offered it, and encourage others to do so as well
Participate in surge testing in your local area, whether you are vaccinated or not
Self-isolate immediately if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) or if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19

You should also take particular caution when meeting anyone outside your household or support bubble. Wherever possible, you should try to:

Meet outside rather than inside where possible
Keep 2 metres apart from people that you do not live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don’t live with
Minimise travel in and out of affected areas

The full government advice can be viewed by clicking here

York hospital patients and deaths

The York Hospital Trust has recorded its first COVID-19 death since 20th April. The fatality occurred on Friday. It brings the total number of deaths up to 593 since the start of the pandemic

The number of coronavirus patients being cared for by the Trust has increased to 6

The latest figures, covering the deaths’ of York residents, reveal that there was one fatality in a care home during the week ending 4th June.

The death brings the total toll among York residents, since the pandemic started, up to 379. This included (at 4th June) 221 hospital deaths, 128 in care homes, 22 at home and 8 in a hospice.

Test results

21 positive test results were announced today. Brings the cumulative total up to 12,649

The number of cases in the City has risen from 108 to 116

The rate /100k population has risen to 55.08. That is the highest rate recorded since 27th February 2021.

It is trending up to reach over 70+ before the end of the week

Neighbourhoods

Only 5 neighbourhoods now have fewer than 3 cases.

A big step up in case numbers is expected over next three days

Vaccinations

874 vaccinations were completed in the City yesterday (Monday)

Tests

5319 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 10th June 2021
Of these, 2.0% were positive. That is an increase on the 1.9% found during the previous period.
In addition, 3044 “lateral flow” tests were also completed on 14th June.

York Council reacts to announcement about continuing restrictions

City of York Council have responded following the Prime Minister’s announcement relating to the delayed easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said:

We know today’s news is frustrating for many who had high hopes for next week, however, there are still reasons to be optimistic. The vaccine rollout is continuing successfully and many of our local businesses have reopened safely giving us all the chance to once again enjoy so much that our city has to offer. Hopefully soon, with more people vaccinated, we will be able to take that next step safely.

“Throughout this pandemic, communities across York have come together and worked hard to look after each other. It has been a long and challenging period for us all, but I would encourage everyone to please keep going. Better times are ahead, as more of us get first and second doses of the vaccine.

“We are pleased though to see changes in the numbers allowed to attend weddings and civil partnership ceremonies, where social distancing measures allow. This will make a huge difference to many couples having their special day. Our Register Office will continue to support couples and will be contacting those who have booked ceremonies with us with further details. We will share more details when the guidance is published.

“We know this is difficult news for people and businesses who will be most directly impacted by this announcement. We will continue to support you, as we have done throughout the pandemic, and we will share more updates as guidance and information becomes available. Please continue to shop at local businesses who are working so hard to keep people safe.

“If you’re struggling to manage, or you don’t have any support, but need it because of COVID-19, please get in touch by emailing covid19help@york.gov.uk or calling telephone: 01904 551550. Businesses severely impacted by today’s announcement can get contact us by emailing the council’s Economic Growth team at economicgrowth@york.gov.uk.”

Fiona Phillips, Assistant Director of Public Health said:

Whilst today’s news is disappointing, with increasing cases and hospital admissions across the country and the presence of the delta variant, it isn’t surprising.

“In recent days we have seen cases increase across York – it is vital that we all remain vigilant and keep each other safe.

“This has been a challenging time, but please keep going and check in on friends and family who may be struggling. Help is at hand should people need it and it is important we look after our mental health as well as physical health.

“Whilst the vaccine roll out is going very well, many in the city are yet to have the vaccine and get that protection. We know too with the delta variant how important a second dose is to boosting immunity so please when you get invited get both doses. Please help keep each other safe and the city open by continuing to:

wash your hands regularly
wear a face covering in busy public spaces and where asked
give people space
meet outside, or open windows letting fresh air indoors
get tested regularly; see more information about symptom-free testing
get the vaccine when you are eligible and get that second dose; See more information and book an appointment on the NHS website

“The vaccines are working and saving lives. This and the fact they are being administered in great numbers means that better times are ahead. The slowing of the roadmap gives the opportunity for more people to be protected in the hope we can have a great and safe summer.”

So what do these projects even mean?

Apparently the York Council is going ahead with a plan to bid for nearly £2 million of public funding, despite being told that the area does not qualify for the “Community Renewal Fund”.

York wasn’t on the list of 100 towns and City’s given priority for use of the fund.

Nevertheless, the Council has gone ahead and drawn up a list of schemes that might have benefited. “Partners” were asked to put forward their proposals.

Nine projects were subsequently selected.

There has been no public consultation on the proposals. This has now been exacerbated by a failure (in the Council report to a meeting next week) to provide any explanation of what the projects are intended to achieve.

The single line descriptions are a totally opaque.

We’re pretty sure though, that the “Bosch startup harbour programme” has little to do with ships and water!

York Council criticised for annual meeting arrangements

The City’s Honorary Aldermen were told yesterday that they would be unable to attend the York Councils annual meeting which takes place today.

Attendance numbers are being restricted with only one place unavailable for the media plus a nominal “member of the public”.

The Councils ceremonial annual meeting would normally attract an attendance of around 200 people.

The Council claims that the decision to limit attendance is in line with COVID regulations.

NB. A sports event held at the Community Stadium last weekend attracted around 1000 spectators.

Council’s consultation confusion

It seems that the York Council is pursuing a policy of overkill with many and various public consultations currently underway.

There is already some scepticism among residents about whether it is even worth responding to the Council’s questions. A recent survey found that the majority of respondents didn’t want to see any major change to traffic signal arrangements at the St Leonard Place/Bootham junction. The views were largely ignored when a decision on changes was shelved until the autumn.

Meanwhile, the ill timed (but well intentioned) Groves experimental traffic scheme is still in operation and attracting comments. It was implemented at the height of the pandemic when streets were virtually free of traffic. It is likely to be 6 months before a “new normal” is established and the true impact of the road closures becomes apparent. In the meantime ambulances and other emergency vehicles are forced use an unnecessarily longer route.

The Council is now trying to promote it’s ” My City Centre” survey.

With the York City centre beginning to get back to normal a cautious approach to change is needed.

It says the questions are aimed at shaping “a people-focused, business-friendly city centre where people love to spend time, live and work“. You can complete the survey visit My City Centre York.

There is more than a sneaking suspicion that the questions simply replicate the Castle Gateway approach which started in 2018. There a seemingly endless stream of questions were apparently aimed at wearing down non conformist opposition.

The best test of the voracity of any survey is whether it offers the status quo as an option!

The Council has had little option but to start consultation again on its Local Plan.

Planning inspectors have asked for the six-week consultation period before examining the plan at public hearing sessions later this year.

The consultation will ask for comments on additional evidence and modifications submitted since the ‘Phase 1 hearings in 2019’, including the recent submission of the Green Belt Topic Paper Addendum (2021).

To have your say, visit Local Plan Consultation. The consultation will end at midnight on Wednesday 7 July 2021.

Consultation on “York’s Community Woodland” finished yesterday. It ran for over 6 weeks without managing to answer key questions about how much each of the options would cost and where the funding would come from. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YorkWoodland

Another consultation which closed on 11th May relates to changes to recycling arrangements. The proposed 3 weekly collection system attracted one of the highest response rates ever seen. Whether the Council decides to go ahead with the changes, despite the concerns raised, may be the defining moment for the present Council. A decision is due on 24th June.

Other current consultation ca be found by clicking this link

Recycling – public have their say

The Council says that it has received over 7,000 responses and 22,000 comments during the recent recycling consultation

It faces a major dilemma now as it tries to reconcile its wish to reduce the costs of the waste collection service with residents aspirations.

Waste collection has consistently rated as the top public service when residents have been asked to rank the services provided by the Council.

*Councillors know that the existing refuse collection service gets good approval ratings in the surveys that they conduct.*

The key question – so far unanswered – is “if it ain’t broke, why fix it”?

The Councils media release reads “City of York Council would like to thank all residents who provided their feedback during the recycling changes consultation

The consultation has seen one of the largest responses to-date, with over 7,000 submissions and over 22,000 comments.

The 6-week consultation ended Tuesday (11 May) and will now be taken to an Executive meeting on 20 June, after collating the responses.

In addition to the online survey, the council commissioned a series of independently run focus groups to ensure as many residents’ view could be reflected in the final findings.

The focus groups encompassed views from residents across the city, including residents living in terraced properties, and were staggered over a period of time to ensure key themes emerging from the online consultation were able to be explored further.

The proposals come at a time when the focus on improving our environment has never been more important. The council wants to explore how it can collect recycling in a way that minimises our impact on the environment, improves the service on offer for residents and maximises our opportunity to recycle.

Recycling waste is cheaper than collecting items in black bins (household waste) and therefore residents can help the council save money whilst protecting the environment. The proposals also include the order of new waste and recycling fleet”.

York Council clarifies short term policy on face-to-face meetings

National guidance on council meetings updated

Pressure is growing on the York Council to make its position clear on when a return to public decision making using an all party committee system will be considered. A similar proposal in Sheffield received majority public support in a referendum last week.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto at the last local elections promised to introduce such a system and local Green Party Councillors – who form part of the ruling coalition in York – also say they favour a the modern committee system option.

Although the Labour and Tory groups apparently favour retaining the “winner takes all” Executive system, they are currently in a minority on the York Council.

So what is stopping the leadership from getting moving on the issue?

Separately the Council has announced which meetings will be “in person” over the coming couple of months. All party “scrutiny” meetings will still be held virtually (via zoom) which is a shame given that they are the only real debating forums for many issues.

Some of the more obscure Executive decision meetings attract little public interest though so perhaps the Council is right to try to conduct them “on-line”. Such meetings often last for less than 10 minutes.

City of York Council say that they are putting in place plans to accommodate the national ruling on the future of council meetings.

Following the ruling of the high court, from Friday 7 May, all council decision making meetings will be held in person, with some non-decision making meetings continuing virtually. Whilst the guidance means meetings will need to be held in person, the council will be putting in place measures to ensure meetings are conducted in a covid safe environment, including allowing for appropriate social distancing.

Over May and June, the following meetings will be take place in person:
•   Annual Council: 27 May, 11am
•   Executive: 20 May, 5.30pm
•   Planning Committee: 17 June (provisional), 4.30pm
•   Area Planning Sub-Committee: 13 May, 4.30pm; 26 May, 4.30pm; 10 June, 4.30pm
•   Licensing Committee: 8 June (provisional), 5.30pm

The below meetings will continue virtually to consider making recommendations before any decision is made.

Executive Member Decision Sessions:
•   Finance and Performance – 14 June, 10am
•   Health and Adult Social Care – 16 June, 10am
•   Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods – 17 June (provisional), 10am

Scrutiny:
• Economy and Place – 25 May, 7pm
• Customer and Corporate – 14 June, 5.30pm

This format will be in place for May and June, and will be reviewed from July onwards, following further guidance on the roadmap after 21st June.

Public participation in relevant meetings will be allowed in person, and by phone for those wishing to dial-in. In addition to the relevant councillors and officers, meetings will have a space for public speakers to attend, and a cleaner will be present to wipe down any surfaces they come into contact with between each speaker. The safety of members of the public, along with officers and councillors, is of paramount importance.

Those wishing to speak at public meetings will need to register their interest a minimum of 2 working days in advance, this can be done online here. If you would like to attend a meeting in person, along with registering to speak, it is recommended that you should take a symptom-free covid test in the 24 hours before the meeting. If your result is positive you should immediately self-isolate and follow the process for confirming your results.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of the Council, said:

With national guidance changing, council meetings will continue to be delivered in a safe way, as to provide local residents, businesses and organisations the opportunity to engage in the Council’s decision making process.

“We would still encourage anyone looking to share their thoughts at public meetings to follow the usual procedure to register and have their say.”

Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health, said:

As we move through the steps of the roadmap to recovery more elements of life will ‘return to normal’. It is still essential that we all remember that covid is still very much a part of our lives, and we must continue to follow hands, face, space and fresh air to help stop the spread. I would strongly encourage everyone to regularly take part in symptom-free testing, especially as more people will be leaving their household much more often.

The council will share further information about the plans for future meetings, including the planned Full Council meeting taking place in May, soon.

Worse things happened in..

The media seems to be stoking up a campaign against York Council Leader Keith Aspden. Comments from both Tory and Labour activists have gained prominent publicity.

All are based on the premise that allegation of bullying, made by the Council s last Chief Executive, are true.

In reality, no evidence was submitted which would have justified the Councils auditors (Masers) repeating the claims in their recent “Public Interest Report”.

The PIR is due to be considered at a public Council meeting on 4th May.

Those who know Keith Aspden will confirm that he is not a “bully”. He can be assertive, and is persistent, but that is what you would expect, and hope for, from a Council Leader.

He may be criticised for being too politically introverted. Avoiding conflict – and surrounding oneself with sycophants – is a mistake that many leaders make.

But it does not make them incompetent.

So what about the glass houses brigade?

It was the Tories who appointed the last Council Chief Executive. They have a vested interest in defending their champion and averting attention from the costly shambles that arose in 2018. Any criticisms are likely to be judged against the background of graft and cronyism which is currently undermining the credibility of the national government.

It is a government that has also singularly failed to implement its policy which would have seen a ceiling put on severance payments in the public sector.

Labour are no better. FOI response Redundancies table 2 When they were last in control of the Council (2011-2015), they handed out £8.2 million in payoffs to 546 “redundant” staff. Click for details More significantly they were responsible for 41 “compromise agreements”. These are legal means which prevent former employees from publicly pursuing – or commenting on – the terms under which they left the Council. Anyone following the inquiries into the way that Unions like the GMB conduct their equalities policies will be less than impressed by the strictures of the left.

So Keith Aspden should carry on with the good work he and his colleagues have done during what has been a very difficult year because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

But there must be changes.

It seems from the Masers report, that officer advice to the decision makers was wanting in several respects. It may be that a third-party intervention is needed so that new more transparent processes, and the public scrutiny that goes with them, can be introduced..

The Council needs to abandon its closed doors decision making processes. Yes, protect the privacy of individuals, but find a way of at least allowing real time scrutiny of any discretionary decisions.

And we live in a time where the use of social media is commonplace.

The Leader of the Council does not have a Twitter account. It, together with Facebook and individual web sites,* are now more important than ever as a means of communication.

Some soul searching is required.

*NB. Keith Aspden abandoned his web site in October 2020 telling his followers that regular updates could be found on a centralised LibDem site . Only one item (library re-openings) has been posted there during the last 3 months.

There is a similar lack of communication from Councillors representing most other wards in York

Easier to be transparent! Auditors criticise York Council

Its over a year since the York Councils last Chief Executive – Mary Weastell – retired. It was thought to be the end of what had been an awkward relationship.

An auditor’s report from Mazers, issued yesterday, criticises the process used to approve the terms of the early retirement.

We said over a year ago that details of settlements (anonymised to protect the privacy of individuals) should be published.

That still does not happen in York.

What happened after the May 2019 elections is the subject to varied interpretations.

However, very soon after the poll Mary Weastall went absent on sick leave.

It appears that negotiations about her future then extended over a 12 month period.

There were (unsubstantiated) allegations of bullying while the Council said that it wanted to reduce ongoing costs by doing away with the post of Chief Executive.

In turn this attracted what is known as a public interest report from the Councils external auditors. In essence taxpayers had claimed that an estimated £400,000 (actual £377,115) pay off given to the departing Chief Executive was excessive. Most of the money went on pension contributions.

The auditors are critical of Keith Aspden for not declaring a personal interest at the (private) meeting which determined the payment to be made to the former Chief Executive. They confirm that this was not a pecuniary interest as Councillors have access to public liability insurance cover.

(Mazers fall short of their own standards when quoting from a 2017, supposedly independent investigators report, which subsequently turned out to be far from “independent”. It was considered at a public meeting – at Cllr Aspden’s request – on 3^rd January 2019. They also omit to mention that the bogus investigation cost taxpayers over £100,000 and Cllr Aspden £20,000 himself)

The auditors confirm that the former Chief Executive was kept on full pay throughout her sick leave absence. Her contract provided only for 6 months on full pay followed by 6 months on half pay. The difference amounts to £18,165.

The auditors also say that of the £377,115 “exit package” only £286,452 was statutory. The Council had a choice about whether to pay the remaining £90,663 which was labelled as “redundancy” and “ex gratia”.

The auditors recommend,

The Council should adopt and apply appropriate standards for business case preparation in relation to exit and pension discretions to improve information supporting decisions.
Decision notes should be maintained that document the factors that explain the case for the use of public funds under the scheme of delegation such as where payments exceed contractual entitlements.
The Council should review the design of its governance policies and procedures to manage conflicts of interest (including self-interest threats). This should include updating the Council’s constitution and scheme of delegation.
The Council should ensure all Members fully understand the requirements of the Code of Conduct in relation to declaration of interests.
The Council should review its policies and procedures to reflect Government guidance in the use of non-disclosure agreements.

The Council has said that it accepts the recommendations and will act to changes its procedures.

We will see.

Council snubbed by government in York Central funding deal

*Illustrative York Central Masterplan approved in 2019*

The council’s “continued role” in unlocking a new generation of jobs, homes and cultural facilities in the York Central site will be considered by the Executive next Thursday, 22 April.

Funding to complete infrastructure works at the York central site (located behind the railway station) is being made direct to the landowners – led by Homes England – by the government.

It means that the Council’s role will be peripheral despite many millions having already been invested in the project. That may be good news for taxpayers who have seen projects like the Community Stadium and Guildhall refurbishment delayed and go over budget in recent years.

Now contract supervision and liability will rest mainly with Homes England.

Transparency isn’t a strong point for any of the “partners” involved in the York Central project (or the current York Council for that matter). We doubt if engagement will improve under the new governance arrangements.

The Council does remain the planning authority although that role could be undermined as they pursue “Enterprise Zone” status for the project. Planning rules are lax in such areas.

The Council is still set to spend nearly £50 million on the project and is dependent on the additional business rate income from Enterprise Zone new businesses to repay its borrowing.

The report being considered next week skates over the risks of this approach,. Those risks appear to have increased since the pandemic with office based developments likely to be less attractive for a while at least.

There are a number of significant planning issues still to be resolved.

These include the (bizarre) suggestion for making the Leeman Road tunnel one way, the absence of an attractive pedestrian/cycle access from the Wilton Rise area and continuing doubts about severing the existing Leeman Road footpath link near the Railway Museum

Last summer Labour Councillors even tried to ditch the project.

The Council has issued the following statement,

“Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the council has worked with York Central partners Network Rail, Homes England and National Railway Museum to maintain momentum and progress on the 42 hectare York Central site.

After partners finalised the £155 million funding, secured planning permission and started work on the infrastructure to unlock the site, which will deliver up to 2,500 homes and space for up to 6,500 jobs.

Executive will be asked to approve changes to the way the project will be delivered and managed.

This includes the main grant holder, Homes England, taking on the delivery of the bridges, footways, cycleways, roads and other infrastructure to open up the site.

The council will also receive £3.86 million from the government grant to cover the costs incurred advancing the infrastructure project”.