York and North Yorkshire police and crime commissioner (PCC) Julia Mulligan spoke at last nights Foxwood Residents Association meeting which was attended by around 30 residents.

She assured residents that there was no change in policing policy on road safety and that any “wide area” 20 mph speed limit in York would have to be “self enforcing”.

Mobile speed cameras would not be used to routinely enforce it.

Julia also outlined her new crime and policing plan before answering questions from residents on a range of topics including anti social behaviour, drug abuse, the PCC’s role and the appointment of a new Chief Constable.

A recent poll conducted by Liberal Democrats in west York found that 81% of respondents were opposed to the introduction of a 20 mph city wide speed limit.

Detectives in York are appealing for two vital witnesses to an assault in York city centre to come forward.

It is believed that two women who were the occupants of a silver-coloured vehicle intervened in the assault which occurred on Blake Street at around 11pm on Monday 25 March 2013.

The victim, a 23-year-old local man suffered facial injuries when he was attacked by two men and two women outside McDonald’s. As the incident continued towards Duncombe Place, the women got out to help the victim and offered to take him home.

The victim was later treated for his injuries at York District Hospital.

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The York Committee of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation makes grants to organisations to help improve the general quality of life in York, with particular regard for those who are in any way disadvantaged.

Grants typically range from £100 to £5,000.

More details click here

As we have previously reported one of the first decisions of the Labour Council, when elected in 2011, was to extend the hours of operation of the Duncombe Place taxi rank.

It was a major error of judgement

Action had been taken by the previous Council to terminate the use of the rank at 10:00pm each evening in an attempt to discourage the anti social behaviour which centred on late night queues waiting for taxis.

An alternative taxi rank was provided in St Sampson’s Square (which still operates)

Now a Council review of the Duncombe Place decision reveals a catalogue of woes that have no place in a civilised society and certainly not in an area where there are several residential properties and a hotel.

Local residents and businesses have been asked for their comments regarding the operation of the taxi rank and the responses can be viewed here.

These highlight the strong level of feeling in the area over the antisocial behaviour taking place in Duncombe Place late at night. In summary the issues raised include:

• Rowdy behaviour

• Excrement on doorsteps

• Underwear left on lawns

• Very noisy in the evenings / early morning

• Shouting and laughing until after 3am

• Fighting

• Unable to open windows because of the noise

• Feeling intimidated / fear of crime

• Urination, defecating and vomiting in doorways, on walls, pavement grills, gardens and War memorial

• Setting a fire on a doorstep

• Litter

• Ringing doorbells in the early hours

• Attempted forced entry to property

The officials concerned are recommending that the 24/7 hours of the rank continue although there will be a minor relocation of the position of the rank and the waiting shelter – which is actually useful for people during periods of inclement weather – will be removed.

In the long term the paving and pedestrianisation of Duncombe Place will mean that the controversial taxi rank will have to be permanently relocated.

This can’t come soon enough for local residents.

Council officials are recommending no action on a petition which was collected requesting the night time closure of two snickets leading off Ashbourne Way.

The proposal was made following problems with anti social behaviour.

The officers report – which will be considered at a meeting next week – can be read by clicking here.

Only the Liberal Democrat Councillor for Woodthorpe (and the Green Party Leader) have responded to a request for their views.

The Labour Councillors representing the two wards affected have chosen to remain silent.

Residents are able to make written representations to the decision meeting which is taking place on Thursday 18th April.

Residents can also choose to attend and speak at the meeting if they give the required notice.

The Council is conducting one of its periodic surveys to discover whether there is any unmet demand for taxis in the City.

The City currently has 183 taxis and 576 private hire vehicles.

Although the Council points to poor air quality standards as being partly the result of the use of diesel engines in the City Centre, most of these emissions can be traced to commercial vehicles and buses rather than taxis.

However there is a growing demand from some residents who want to have the option of using a low emission Prius + type hire vehicle.

They are an increasingly common sight on the streets of New York

In York, getting a taxi at peak times can be difficult. However, taxi owners point to periods of the day when they are lucky to get a fare of any sort.

You can take part in the survey by clicking here

The Council has provided the following background information
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The election of a LibDem led Council in 2003 seemed finally to have removed the threat that meant that large areas of York’s (draft) Green Belt would be built on.

Labour Councillors had previously advocated large scale expansion of the City meaning that most land lying between the ring road and the present urban boundary could have been developed.

The supply of development land was adequate to meet the historic building profile in the City (around 650 new homes per year).

Campaigns – led by Liberal Democrat Councillors – to protect Green Belt land had been successful in 2009 (see left).

So by 2011 a Local Development Framework (LDF) had been agreed which protected the draft Green Belt.

Development was concentrated on sites such as York Central (land behind the station), Germany Beck in Fulford and Derwenthorpe in Osbaldwick.

Most house building would be on previously developed commercial sites such as British Sugar, Terry’s and Nestle south.

In 2011 planning permissions for nearly 4000 new homes were outstanding. Enough to satisfy demand for over 7 years.

When Labour regained control of the Council in May 2011 they first tinkered with the LDF and then abandoned it altogether.

Building rates fell to an all time low in 2012 with onerous planning conditions and poor mortgage availability blamed.

The vacant land with planning permission was still there. But development was, and remains, very slow.

The Labour Council has spent the last 12 months asking landowners whether their green field plots should be built on.

Farmland which gains planning permission can increase in value by a factor of 100x so not surprisingly there has been a rush of willing sellers.

Labours plans are due to be published on Friday (12th April).

We have little doubt that many controversial green field sites will be identified for potential development.

We will publish details here when we have them and will vigorously oppose any attempt to destroy the City’s green belt setting.

A council official has now admitted that they took down the safety barriers next to the Spar shop on Acomb Road.

He claims that it is part of the improvements being made to the route linking the new A59 park and ride site with the City centre.

However residents were consulted about proposals for The Fox junction several months ago. The plans can still be found on the council’s web site.

They give no indication that it was proposed to remove the safety railings.

The official also claims that the removal forms part of the Councils “de-cluttering” policy. This was the policy to remove railings, street signs and other street furniture in the City centre conservation area.

That the strategy now seems to be spreading across the whole City will come as news to many and – where children’s safety is concerned – will be a source of anxiety.

Nor have any local residents been consulted about the removal plans. They were given no notice of the work starting.

Even now they have no idea when the scheme will be completed.

The railings were provided about 25 years ago following complaints about children leaving the local shop and stepping straight out onto the busy highway junction.

A decision to remove this safety feature is most definitely one that local residents should have the final say in.

The consultation meeting, which was to have taken place on 4th March and which was cancelled by the Council at short notice, will now take place at Heslington Church on Wednesday 10th April between 7:00pm and 8:30pm

Local people are concerned about proposals to change the layout of University Road and Field Lane.

Despite protests from local residents asking for the scheme to be dropped altogether, we understand the council is planning to press ahead.

The consultation meeting will ask for residents views on two alternative versions of the plans.

In both versions, University Road is reduced to one lane in the area with Field Lane either reduced to one way or kept as it is with an off road cycle path.

Following a Ward Committee meeting the Council has held additional meetings with local groups in Heslington.

Although these meetings produced a third option unfortunately the Council is apparently not willing to consider it.

Commenting, Lib Dem councillor Keith Aspden said: “It’s disappointing that the council has ignored local wishes and pressed ahead with the plan. “Although they have listened to some local concerns it’s important that the consultation is thorough and that they listen to residents views this time.”