A briefing has been issued explaining the new Housing Benefit rules which will apply to those living in social rented accommodation.
It can be viewed here.
Labour plan major changes for York Warden Call service
York has had a warden call service for over 25 years. It can be used by elderly, sick or disabled residents who may need urgent help or re-assurance but who are unable to leave their homes.
The service can be operated through a pendant which can be hung round the customers neck and is linked to the increasingly popular telecare service which was pioneered in the City in 2005 by the LibDem led Council.
Mobile wardens visit those registered with the service which is available 24/7. A small charge of £4-10 a weeks is currently payable although those with limited incomes pay a reduced rate.
Now major changes are planned for this popular service.
On the 22nd March Labour Councillors are proposing an increase in charges.
Their aim is to “create a pricing model that is closer to the actual costs of the service and so reduce the current subsidy”. The report also proposes introducing a charge for couples and to levy a fee for lost equipment.
It is likely that a tiered table of charges will be introduced so that customers can opt for a cheaper, less comprehensive, service.
Further major controversy is likely at a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet which is due to take place on 2nd April. Labour Councillors there will be asked to “approve the Integrated Business Plan for the Community Equipment Loan and Telecare Service (CELTAS) to ‘spin-out’ of City of York Council (CYC) and become an independent social enterprise”.
So another “social enterprise” taking over from the Council with the only way to achieve savings being though increased charges and/or lower staffing costs.
Labour say that the change will save £50,000 a year.
The Press reported on the Warden Call system in 2011 click here to see their story.
Ashbourne Way snicket closure to be discussed
The Council is to consider, on 18th April, a petition which asks for the night time closure of the snickets leading off Ashbourne Way
The snickets are well used during the day, not least by children attending the Woodthorpe School.
Night time closures have been tried before – notably in the nearby Carrfield/Foxton/Chantry Close area – where, in 2009, a similar plan was abandoned following objections by local residents.
Schemes of this sort now tend to rely on mechanisms which automatically lock and unlock a gate at a particular time. None have worked successfully in York other than perhaps that located at the rear entrance to the railway station, from Lowther Terrace, although there the access is part of the cycle network.
Such heavy duty gates are expensive to install and maintain.
Council officials have previously ruled out on cost grounds using staff to lock this type of gate while the use of volunteers has been ruled out on reliability grounds.
The meeting on 18th is likely to be asked only to consider whether the request should be put out for more general consultation.
Petitions against York Labour policies gaining support
Despite a rather awkward interface. a number of electronic petitions, being collected via the Councils web site, are gaining relatively large numbers of supporters.
Currently the numbers “signing” each are:
“Protect our Library and Archives Service” – No to cuts, closures or Social Enterprise Respondents 120 Deadline to sign by 21/03/2013
“Stop the Green Bin Tax” Respondents 130 Deadline to sign by 03/04/2013
“(Save) the toy bus” Respondents 40 Deadline to sign by 05/04/2013
Petition to see a “reduction in chlorine used in water treatment” Respondents 15 Deadline to sign by 14/04/2013
“Protect Towthorpe Household Waste Depot” Respondents 208 Deadline to sign by 1/05/2013
Click here to go to the Council’s petition page
Complaints about blocked drainage gullies up by 43% in York
Blocked gulley complaints.
Click to enlarge
The Labour Councils decision to reduce the routine cleaning of gullies in much of the City has proved to be a false economy.
During 2012, 649 complaints were received by the Council from residents who were concerned about carriageway and footpath flooding.
Block gullies were blamed.
Special cleans had to be arranged on 201 occasions.
York Council publishes costs of Paris trip
In response to a Freedom of Information request the York Council has said that the costs of the trip by the Leader and Chief Executive to Paris recently was £570.92.
Details can be found here
39 York drivers wheel clamped
39 drivers in York have had their vehicles wheel clamped by the Council during the last 3 years.
They had to pay £1560 to have the vehicles released.
On 3 occasions the owners did not reclaim their vehicles and they were subsequently crushed.
York schools payout to pupils
Taxpayers have footed a £39,000 bill for compensation claims made to school children in the City over the last 5 years.
The claims were for injuries such as cuts, bruising, fractures and chipped bones.
So far during the current financial year the bill has reached £10,000.
Council spent £38,500 on Christmas lights
In response to a Freedom of Information request, the Council has revealed that “the budget for Christmas lights in 2012/13 was £38,500.
This includes the purchase of trees and additional/replacement lights (£10,725), project management fees (£6,000) and the remaining budget (£21,775) relating to installation and maintenance”.
The same Council has refused so far to make any investment in the regeneration of sub-urban areas like Dringhouses and is threatening the closure of local libraries.
New financial advice booklet launched in York
A new booklet on how to manage money and make it go further is being launched on Monday (11 March) by the council, York Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and Aviva.
The booklet is full of information including tips on how to draw up a budget, the best ways to save money, savings and insurance essentials and hints on how to avoid getting into debt. There are also lots of ideas on how to enjoy life in York without having to spend too much money, including low cost family days out and free events and courses.
The booklet will be available from York CAB – based at West Offices from 28 March – and all York libraries and Explore centres from Monday 11 March and can be downloaded by clicking here