Somewhat belatedly, the York Council has decided to apply for European funding to help revive and extend the successful Kingsway Project which pioneered anti poverty activities in York towards the end of the last decade.

The Council is seeking £1.2 million from Europe with a matching amount likely to come from local resources.

The main neighbourhoods, which might benefit, include part of the Dringhouses area.

The decision was taken today. As usual it was taken behind closed doors and without any meaningful consultation with local residents.

The Kingsway Project was a victim of Labour’s 2011 Council election victory. Shortly after their success they jettisoned Ward Committee budgeting which led to the Westfield area losing £50,000 a year in locally determined investment.

The report (which contains a lot of jargon) can be read here.