The Liberal Democrats as part of the joint executive running York, are investing in 937 new LED street lights which are now going to be rolled out across more parts of the city. This follows an investment of £466,000 in the 2016/2017 budget. The new LED street lights are brighter and more energy efficient which will support plans to make York the greenest city in the north and reduce their running costs.
In Dringhouses and Woodthope the new LED street lights will be installed in the coming year along Tadcaster Road and Moor Lane.

York’s Executive has said priorities in the next 12 months will include progressing the Local Plan, boosting recycling and supporting the launch of a new Welcome Ambassadors scheme.

The policies were unveiled as part of a revised 12 point plan (which can be downloaded here) and shows the progress which has been made since the Liberal Democrat-Conservative Executive took power last May and launched its original programme. Achievements highlighted include the re-introduction of Ward Committees, extra investment in frontline services, and new cross-party decision making.

The focus will remain on frontline services in the coming year with the roll-out of 94 extra bins, new LED streetlights and a £2.7million investment in road repairs. Work will continue on a new Local Plan, the One Planet York initiative and other major projects such as the Burnholme Health & Wellbeing Campus and York Central. The Executive will also work with Make It York and the new York BID on initiatives to support businesses and promote York, including new Welcome Ambassadors.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader of City of York Council, commented:

“This revised 12 point plan outlines the progress we have made against our original policy priorities from a year ago. This includes the re-introduction of Ward Committees with a £1million budget, the saving of Yearsley Swimming Pool, and extra investment in community-based mental health services.

“Looking ahead, the focus remains on the frontline services that matter to residents with road repairs, street lighting, gulley cleaning and bins all seeing major investment. Boosting recycling and taking forward the One Planet York initiative are major priorities while working with the BID we want to support the launch of a Welcome Ambassador scheme to offer visitors and residents a friendly welcome to the city-centre and help the early-evening economy.”

Cllr Stephen Fenton at Chapman’s Pond in Dringhouses where local funding has supported a Volunteer Bailiff Scheme to protect and enhance the popular local pond

At a Decision Session this week the Lib Dem Deputy Leader of City of York Council confirmed plans to invest an extra £150,000 to improve York’s parks, gardens and open spaces.

The funding builds on the decision by the Joint Executive to bring back Ward Committees last year and devolve nearly £1million annually.

Re-establishing proper Ward Committees was a key priority for the Liberal Democrats before last May’s elections and the allocated funding has been used in 2015/16 to support dozens of projects across York.

Of the extra £150,000, £100,000 will be divided amongst wards to support local priorities with the remaining £50,000 funding community-led environmental or gardening projects across the city.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Deputy Leader of City of York Council with responsibility for Economic Development and Community Engagement, commented:

“This report outlines our approach to supporting improvements to our parks and other public open spaces, based on the priorities decided by local communities. It builds on our efforts to devolve funding and decision-making to wards and confirms our commitment to work with volunteers and groups to maintain and improve the quality of our shared spaces.”

For Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Ward this will mean an extra £5,597. The re-established Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Ward Committee supported a number of projects in 2015/16, including at Chapman’s Pond.

The Ward funding secured by Friends of Chapman’s Pond  will enable them to invest in measures designed to make this local open space more attractive and accessible. The funding (£2,350 in total) will support a number of initiatives, such as:

• Installing cycle racks, to reduce the risk of theft
• Replacing the decaying wooden fence and gate at the entrance to the site
• Insurance cover and personal protective equipment, to ensure that the team of local volunteers who manage the site can do so safely
• Water testing equipment, so that risks to the health of the fish in the pond can be detected quickly

Training for the team of volunteer ‘bailiffs’, provided by the Angling Trust. The team make visitors aware of the site rules and report any anti-social behaviour. They also advise people on fishing tips and techniques.

Cllr Stephen Fenton at the end of North Lane

Local Lib Dem Councillor Stephen Fenton is calling on Network Rail to remove fly-tipped rubbish from its land at the end of North Lane in Dringhouses.

Stephen  says the fly-tipping has been there for many weeks, despite it being reported by residents and councillors. The rubbish includes litter and unwanted items of furniture. Network Rail has told Cllr Fenton that when the area was visited by their contractors, needles were found to be among the rubbish. This has delayed the clear-up as a ‘method statement’ needs to be prepared and paperwork completed before the go-ahead can be given for the items to be removed. 

Stephen commented: 

“The fly-tipping poses a hazard to local people as this patch of land is freely accessible. The alleged presence of needles – which haven’t been apparent to me when I have checked the site – is a real concern. 

“I am disappointed at the length of time it is taking Network Rail to take action. Obviously the safety of Network Rail staff and their contractors is important, but so is the safety of local residents. I have therefore asked council officers what more can be done, and I understand that one of the options could be a ‘Community Protection Warning.’ This would require the waste to be removed by Network Rail within a specified time, and failure to comply could result in a penalty or prosecution. But I hope it won’t come to that.” 

Stephen says he wants to work with Network Rail on long-term options to prevent fly-tipping in the area, including more visible signs and the possible introduction of CCTV.

James Blanchard

James joined the Lib Dems while studying at Leeds University and served as a councillor in Kirklees between 2011 and 2015. He currently lives in York and has worked for a number of major regional companies and organisations in senior communications and campaigning roles. James will fight the election for the York and North Yorkshire Liberal Democrats on 5^th May.  

James Blanchard commented:  

“I will work hard to restore people’s trust and confidence in the police. The current Police and Crime Commissioner has nearly doubled back-office staffing costs compared to the old Police Authority, and is spending a lower proportion of the force’s money on front-line policing than the national average. This has to change. I will protect front-line policing.  

“Despite Government promises to protect police funding, her colleague in the Conservative party – Chancellor George Osborne – is cutting national funding for policing by £160m. I will fight these cuts as they will inevitably lead to council tax rises, further station closures and cuts in officer numbers.

“Crime is changing, with many criminals moving online. I will invest in training so that officers can continue to keep across new laws and crime-fighting techniques. How we organise our police to meet these challenges is key to the safety of everyone living in York and North Yorkshire. 

James added: “We need our police to concentrate on measures that will address crime and the fear people have of crime. I will lead more community and restorative justice initiatives, that will allow victims of crime a say and bring criminals face to face with the consequences of their actions. Unlike the Conservatives and Labour, who make empty promises about being ‘tough on crime’, this is about truly being ‘tough on the causes of crime.”

Full details can be found by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” website. Click here.

Ref No:      16/00491/FUL

Location:   34 Don Avenue York YO24 2PX

Proposal:   Single storey rear extension and dormer to rear

Applicant:  Ms Petra Sobotka

Contact      Howard Berry

Consultation Expiry Date     4 April 2016

Case Officer:      Elizabeth Potter  Expected Decision Level     DEL

Tim Farron MP with Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners outside Jorvik

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has visited the Jorvik Viking Centre and local businesses to hear how they are recovering from the Boxing Day floods.

Tim Farron MP was in York for the Lib Dem Spring Conference and was joined on the walkabout by the party’s leader in the city, Cllr Keith Aspden. Together they visited Jorvik, Fossgate, and local businesses Sharp Hairdressing and the Walmgate Ale House. Many local businesses are open again while Jorvik is taking exhibitions on tour around the city while the attraction is rebuilt ahead of a planned re-opening by Easter 2017.

Tim Farron MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, commented:

“I was delighted to visit the Jorvik Centre to hear about their plans to reopen. It is one of the many attractions that brings visitors to York from all over the world. I also visited local traders to hear how they are recovering and how York is open for business following the devastating flooding in December.”

Tim Farron also highlighted the decision by the Government to apply for EU funding after a campaign by the Lib Dems, saying “I am pleased that at the eleventh hour the Government gave in and eventually decided to apply for EU Solidarity Funding. The challenge now is to ensure that the money received from that fund actually goes to the affected areas rather than being held back by central government.”

Full details can be found by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” website. Click here.

Ref No:      16/00098/FUL

Location:   15 Lerecroft Road York YO24 2TF

Proposal:   Erection of two storey dwelling

Applicant:  Mr Gavin Thompson

Consultation Expiry Date     21 March 2016

Case Officer:      Victoria Bell         Expected Decision Level

York Liberal Democrats have been joined by Tom Brake MP to launch the party’s local campaign for Britain to stay in the EU.

The Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesperson was joined yesterday by local party members and activists at a packed campaign launch at the Friends Meeting House on Friargate. The Lib Dems are backing ‘Remain’ ahead of the upcoming referendum on June 23^rd. They say the UK is stronger, more prosperous and secure in the EU and leaving would make it harder to tackle issues such as climate change and terrorism. Local Lib Dems are also highlighting the importance of the EU to York’s economy.

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, commented:

“I am happy to visit York Liberal Democrats and assist in the launch of their campaign to stay in the EU. It is imperative that we continue to build support to remain in the EU. There is too much uncertainty and the decision to leave will have negative effects on our economy and security. I urge York residents to support the initiative to stay in the EU as it will keep prices low, and provide a better, safer environment in which to work and raise families.”

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of the York Liberal Democrats and Deputy Leader of City of York Council, commented:

“I am delighted to welcome Tom Brake to York to launch our local campaign for Britain to stay in the European Union. We know that around 350,000 jobs in Yorkshire depend upon trade links with the EU and business leaders such as the Chairman of Nestlé have said membership is crucial. It’s not just big firms that want to stay in the EU, but small and medium-sized local businesses recognise its importance as they can pick-up vital contracts across Europe. The EU is far from perfect but leaving would be leap in the dark for York’s economy.”

To find out more about the local Lib Dem campaign and to show your support go to: www.yorklibdems.org.uk/eupetition

Full details can be found by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” website. Click here.

Ref No:      15/02527/FUL

Location:   12 Leeside York YO24 2PR

Proposal:   Dormer window to rear

Applicant:  Mr Graham Colbeck

Contact      Peter Wood

Consultation Expiry Date     14 March 2016

Case Officer:      Sandra Duffill     Expected Decision Level     DEL

Ref No:      16/00307/LBC

Location:   Aldersyde House Aldersyde York

Proposal:   Conversion of garage/store into 2no. dwellings with associated alterations

Applicant:  Mr Richard Gorwood

Contact      Mr Jake Stentiford

Consultation Expiry Date     16 March 2016

Case Officer:      Sophie Prendergast    Expected Decision Level     DEL

Ref No:      16/00311/FUL

Location:   65 Chaloners Road York YO24 2TT

Proposal:   Two storey side and single storey front and rear extension

Applicant:  Mr Sadak Molik

Contact      Mr Bob Marks

Consultation Expiry Date     14 March 2016

Case Officer:      Carolyn Howarth          Expected Decision Level     DEL

Ref No:      16/00369/TPO

Location:   32 Skiddaw York YO24 2SZ

Proposal:   Reduce crown of Oak tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No.:29

Applicant:  Mr Frank Bergin

Contact      Mr Neil Hale

Consultation Expiry Date     14 March 2016

Case Officer:      Esther Priestley  Expected Decision Level