Acomb Green Fair success

Acomb Fayre Aug 2014

Hundreds of local people were able to enjoy the Acomb Green fair yesterday with falconry displays, stalls, and dog competitions.

Fortunately the rain which had stopped previous events on the Green held off for most of the afternoon.

Well done to the Friends of Acomb Green for putting on the event which draws together people in Acomb to see the beauty of what is on their doostep, and there were even the lovely church bells from St Stephen’s to enjoy with the live music that was being performed by local artists (young and old).

 

Learn the secrets of A-Mazing business success

mazeYork Maze director Tom Pearcy will be revealing why and how he turned a field of one million maize seedlings into one of York’s most visited attractions, at Explore Tang Hall Library.

York Maze director Tom Pearcy will be revealing why and how he turned a field of one million maize seedlings into one of York’s most visited attractions, at Explore Tang Hall Library.

The award-winning attraction director will be talking about and taking questions on his business venture. The talk is recommended for anyone who’s visited the maze or who wants to be inspired to sow the seeds of their own enterprise!

The talk will take place on Tuesday 26 August, from 2–3.30pm at Explore Tang Hall Library. Adults £3.50 (children free) and a soft drink is included.

Tickets can be bought at any Explore York Libraries

York GCSE results

Exam cartoonProvisional results show that 64 per cent of young people in York achieved five or more A*-C grades including English and Maths GCSE on first entry.

Results this year are not comparable to previous years because of changes made in the performance tables which report the first entry rather than best entry results for candidates.

There have also been significant changes to the examination system in 2014, with the removal of some GCSE equivalent courses from the performance tables, reductions in coursework and the move away from modular examinations towards end of course examinations.

There was some disappointment at York High where a spokesman commented,

“In spite of the hard work of the students, the support of the families and the commitment of staff our results have dropped to 43 per cent of students gaining 5A* – C including English and Maths.

This is of course disappointing but is an inevitable consequence of an assessment based mainly on longer exams at the end of a two year course.”

Skip programme

30th August 2014 8:30am Bouthwaite Drive

12:30pm Burnsall Drive
6th Sept 2014 8:30am Sanderson House Bramham Road

8:30am Bramham Road/Grange Lane junction

8:30am Don Avenue

10:30am North Lane

8:30am Kingsway West

10:30am Stuart Road
13th Sept 2014 12:30pm Corlett Court

12:30 Windsor Garth
20th Sept 2014 10:30am Thoresby Road
27th Sept 2014 10:30am Saxon Place

10:30am Fossway
4th Oct 2014 8:30am Dringfield Close

10:30am Ganton Place

12:30pm Cornlands Road
11th Oct 2014 8:30am Sanderson House Bramham Road
  • The skips are funded by the local residents association using their Estate Improvement Grant. The skips are removed once they are full so please make sure you arrive in good time if you intend to make use of them.
  • Please remember to take your waste to the site only on the dates advertised
  • If the skip is full or not on the site, please do not leave your waste. This is classed as fly tipping and is illegal
  • Bulky items including furniture, fridges and freezers are not accepted. To arrange disposal of one of these items please ring York (01904) 551551.

Acomb public toilets to reopen

The York Council has said that the public toilets in Acomb, closed for over 2 months, will be reopened shortly.Acomb toilets closed 2 1400 hours 25th July 2014

Apparently the refurbishment has been completed and they are now only waiting for a new lock to arrive and be fitted.

The Council has (rightly) been heavily criticised, first for not providing a replacement temporary facility, and more recently for not putting a notice on the toilets saying what progress was being made and when the facility would reopen.

The Council has however warned that repair work to the roof of the building is outstanding and that this may be done in September.

That could involve another closure period!

Small business rate relief – non claimers in York

Power company fails to cash chequeCheque

The Council has published a list of the businesses which could claim Small Business Rates Relief but who had, by the end of July, declined to do so.

The list can be accessed by clicking here

The Council has also published a list of Business Rate refunds where the cheques have not been presented.

Click here for the list which includes, as well as companies that went into administration, some big names such as NPower, the Theatre Royal and the District Valuer (!)

 

Lendal Bridge refunds review – agenda papers published

The agenda and background papers for the meeting on 27th August, which will review whether or not to contact drivers to tell them of the availability of refunds for those fined for crossing Lendal bridge, have been published.

Details can be found by clicking here

Lendal bridge notice

Both the LibDem and the Tory Council groups are advocating telling drivers of the availability of refunds.

Labour are putting the onus on drivers to appeal against the fines and say that they will rely on the “media” to get the word out.

Many of those fined were tourists who live in other parts of the UK and Europe. It is highly unlikely that all would read about the changed policy in local newspapers.

As the Council has withdrawn its appeal, against the traffic adjudicators judgement that the fines were unlawful, it has effectively admitted liability for maladministration.

That could in turn bring about further penalties for the Council if it fails to take all reasonable steps to refund the unlawfully imposed fines.

Residents can register to speak at the meeting. They must register by telephoning 01904 552061 before 5:00pm on Tuesday 26th August.

NB. Labour still have a majority on this “scrutiny” committee so there is no guarantee that changes to the Councils policy will be made.

Latest Planning applications Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

 Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Location:       11 Summerfield Road York YO24 2RU

Proposal:       Single storey side and rear extension

Ref No: 14/01861/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Barry Green  Consultation Expiry Date        8 September 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.