“Magic Paintbrush” in Acomb on Monday
Social care cuts consultation
York residents are being invited to have their say on the future of Adult Social Care in the city this month.
City of York Council clams it is “committed to helping York’s residents live independent and fulfilling lives based on choices that are important to them. The authority already knows that where residents need care and support in older age, they want these delivering in their own homes or in a community setting. They also want improved signposting, advice and guidance, and for the agencies involved in health and adult social care to join up more and provide greater awareness of the local support and facilities available to residents”.
“To build on this, the council is carrying out a quick five minute survey to understand what is important to those who are currently accessing adult social care, and those who may potentially need to access care and support in the future. The authority is also keen to hear from Carers and those in the voluntary sector.
The results of the consultation will be used to shape services (jargon) for the future, as part of the council’s Rewiring Public Services (jargon) Programme.
In Adult Social Care, the council’s rewiring (jargon) programme is seeking to address some of the inherent failings of, and pressures on, the existing national model for adults’ care including a lack of clarity and understanding of the system by customers, an ageing population and people living longer with disease and disability.
Following engagement with residents, staff, elected members and partners, the council is looking at a number of different ways it can achieve the outcomes that local people want -relying less on hospital-based care and care homes, with more care delivered in resident’s homes and in their local neighbourhood -within the budget available”.
The consultation is available at www.rewiringyork.com
Sad really that the Council is making it so difficult for residents to react to their programme of cuts in public service provision.
Language, setting up seperate web sites, failure to issue timely notices of meetings.” all adds up to confusion for many.
NB. Following on from our story about the Councils clumsy consultation proecesses and use of jargon we understand that later today (Thursday 12 February) between 2pm and 2:30pm, “Sally Burns, director of Communities & Neighbourhoods, will be answering people’s questions about proposed changes to Place-Based Services (jargon) in a live streamed Q&A session broadcast on YouTube and www.york.gov.uk/webcasts “
The Council are encouraging everyone to put forward their burning questions either before or during the event by email at rewiringyork@york.gov.uk or on Twitter using the #RewiringYork hashtag.
Ellie Stevenson at Acomb Library on 18th February
Police surgery taking place at Dringhouses library on 19th February
Following a suggestion made in a story last week the Police have now scheduled more surgeries in West York
- 12 Feb 15 – Chapelfields Police & Housing joint drop-in advice session – Sanderson Community House, Bramham Road, York (from 10:00am for 2 hours)
- 19 Feb 15 – Woodthorpe/Dringhouses Surgery – Dringhouses Library, York (from 16:30 for 1 hour)
- 21 Feb 15 – Rural West surgery – York Rural West villages (please check local notice boards for times) (from 10:00 for 5 hours)
- 26 Feb 15 – Westfield – Police / Housing Advice Session – Sanderson Community House, Bramham Road, York (from 10:00 for 2 hours)
In addition a PCSO is in attendance at the Foxwood Community Centre each month to provide “drop in” advice. The next sessions are on Wednesday 4th March and Wednesday 11th March (10:00am – 12:00 noon on both days)
York road resurfacing list for February
City of York Council will be carrying out resurfacing works across the city throughout February. Resurfacing work will take place in Skelton, Rawcliffe, Acomb, Heworth, Fulford and New Earswick.
Work will take place on several roads including:
• Brecksfield, Skelton from 16 – 20 February, work will take place between 8am – 5.30pm
• Rawcliffe Drive, Rawcliffe, from 16 – 20 February, work will take place between 8am – 5.30pm
• Redeness Street, Heworth, from 16 – 20 February, work will take place between 7pm – 5am
• Woodlea Avenue, Acomb, from 16 – 20 February, work will take place between 8am – 5.30pm
• White Rose Avenue and Alder Way, New Earswick, from 23 – 27 February, work will take place between 8am – 5.30pm
• Fulford Park, Fulford, from 23 – 27 February, work will take place between 9.30am – 3.30pm
To complete the work safely road closures will be in place for each road whilst work is scheduled to take place.
Residents are advised there will be no access or egress for vehicles during working hours except in emergencies. There will be no on-street parking during these times. Residents who require vehicular access are asked to inform operatives onsite to ensure safety. Vehicular access will only be allowed if it is safe to do so. Pedestrian access will be available at all times.
As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption. Residents are assured that everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum, however motorists should expect some delays and plan their journey accordingly.
For information on affected buses visit www.itravelyork.info, call the Bus Line 01904 551400 or visit the Bus Information Point in York Railway Station.
Latest Planning application 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: 4 Annan Close York YO24 2UY
Proposal: Single storey rear extension and extension to front of garage
Ref No: 14/02625/FUL
Applicant: Mr Mike Dowell Consultation Expiry Date 2 March 2015 Case Officer: Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL
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Location: 27 Dringthorpe Road York YO24 1NF
Proposal: Single storey rear extension and dormers to side and rear
Ref No: 15/00128/FUL
Applicant: Mrs Julia Crawshaw Contact Ms Charlotte Harrison Consultation Expiry Date 2 March 2015 Case Officer: Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL
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Location: St Edwards Church Tadcaster Road Dringhouses York YO24 1QG
Proposal: Fell 3 No trees in a Conservation Area
Ref No: 15/00188/TCA
Applicant: Rev Martin Bacdock Contact Mr Jeremy Smith Consultation Expiry Date 2 March 2015Case Officer: Esther Priestley Expected Decision Level
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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/
- The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.
New threat to Woodthorpe bus service?
Now First start consultation on “low usage” services
Just a few weeks after the York Council withdrew its threat to withdraw subsidies from services like the number 12, it seems that First themselves are now planning cuts.
Their web site says
“We’re undertaking some face-to-face consultation events and running an online survey to seek your views on services operating in the South West of York covering Acomb to Copmanthorpe as well as Haxby in the North.
Some services operating in these areas are experiencing low levels of usage which we’d like to address, to ensure that our buses go to the right places and that the levels of service meets the demand.
Our survey asks for feedback on your travel choices made within your area as well as ways to improve or amend our existing services.
It’s hoped that this feedback will assist in the development of the network to improve usage and long term viability of these services.
Come and meet us face-to-face at these events:
- Thursday 12 February 1000-1300 Explore Acomb Library Learning Centre
- Thursday 12 February1400-1600 Copmanthorpe Youth Club, School Lane
- Friday 13 February 1430-1730 Snow Room G035, City of York Council Offices
- Tuesday 24 February 1230-1530 Haxby & Wigginton Methodist Church Hall
If you’re not able to see us at one of these events, we still want your views – please let us know what you think by completing our online survey which is open until Saturday 28 February”.
The main concerns relate to possible reductions in the frequency of the number 12 service which provides a link between the City centre and Woodthorpe. The future of the popular number 4 service is also understood to be under review.
Decsions still being taken in secret by York Council
It seems that the newly “balanced” York City Council still has a lot to do to lift the curtain of secrecy that descended in 2011.
Two meetings took place last week for which no notice had been given. Supporting papers, and the decision taken, were published on the Councils web site within minutes of each other.
Although not of concern to large numbers of residents, those who are affected did deserve the opportunity to make representations
We can see no reason why the agenda and supporting paper for any formal delegated decision cannot be published on the Council’s web site 7 days before the matter is considered. We would expect that written representations would be welcomed with the formal decision then being published with a link to any written comments.
The Councils governance committee will consider the issue of transparency at its meeting on Wednesday.
It includes a list of demands, by opposition Councillors who now hold a Council majority, on transparency issues together with a response by the Labour Leader
The first item on the list covers decisions delegated to Councillors
An end to Cabinet Member behind-closed-doors decision sessions – all reports to be published in advance, a date set for meetings (not a one month window) and residents should be able to feed into the decision process.
Although the Council Leader has apparently supported this proposal, it seems that delegation to officers is now being substituted. No notice of pending decisions of this type is being given.
The two decisions taken in private this week were:
- Closure of an alley between Stanley Street and Warwick Street because of complaints about anti social behaviour
- Allocation of “free” days for the use of the Barbican. Here the report fails even to mention the criteria used to determine that the days should be allocated to the “York Irish Association” and the “Prima Vocal” ensemble. It is also unclear how or even if the Council advertised the availability of these days.
Mansion nightclub to open until 6:00am
NB. The decision of the licensing committee to allow the Mansion club on Micklegate to stay open until 6:00am will raise eyebrows. Given the increasing problems with public order in the city centre, and an objection of the Police to the proposal, most would have expected the application to fail. The owner of the club is the Tory candidate for Heworth Without in the forthcoming Council elections. The three members who sat in judgement were all Labour Councillors (surprisingly no LibDem, Green or Independents were asked to take a view). The proposal was apparently aimed at accommodating the needs of “racegoers” although, so far, only a local student magazine has welcomed the decision. Strangely the Council chose not the “web cast” this controversial meeting.
“It’s almost as if they didn’t want us to know”
Council delivers notification leaflet after meeting has taken place
Following on from our story yesterday, the Council has started to issue a survey form to residents asking for their views on cutting public services (aka “rewiring”).
Most residents have yet to receive the leaflet which advertises a “drop in” taking pace at the Acomb Library on …err yesterday. (There are other “drop in” dates next week)
No attempt was made by the Council to publicise yesterday’s event. No media release was issued. The Consultation is not listed on the Council web site and cannot be downloaded from there. (Although we have provided a link HERE to a copy on “dropbox”)
The Council has for some reason set up a separate, impenetrable, web site containing what it describes as background information http://rewiringyork.com/ . Most residents won’t, of course, know it even exists. There is no link shown from the Council web site.
Waste collection “survey”
The rewiring blog makes much of the Council’s new (under development) web site – but fails to acknowledge the leap backwards on communications that has taken place over the last 12 months (the facility to report issues like broken street lights and potholes using the internet was withdrawn by the present administration – increasing pressure on an already overburdened “contact centre”)
The content of the leaflet is risible.
It says that residents can see a copy of the “business case” for change on the blog site. No such business case is visible.
The leaflet says “the proposed changes will have an effect on the frequency, accessibility and cost of services such as waste collection and STREET CLEANSING”. It talks of changes to “roads”
The leaflet fails to say how much green bin emptying will cost a resident under Labour’s plans and doesn’t’ even mention “street cleansing” or “roads” again.
The leaflet makes the bold statement that the Council “needs” to save £2.5 million from “this service area” They mean street level public services but don’t define them or mention current standards.
The statement is in any event untrue.
The Council can make savings in other areas. Many capital investment plans (new access bridge into the station land, new Scarborough footbridge, turning the Guildhall into a media centre etc) could be shelved with annual savings on borrowing costs equivalent to the amount being cut from essential street services.
£9.32 million on Guildhall media centre
It’s not all bad. Investment in LED lights may well save energy and running costs, and MAY prove to be more reliable and durable that the exiting street lighting systems. But there is no information provided which allows residents to make an informed judgement on that claim.
Included is a very limited prioritisation list. It muddles service improvement (collecting kitchen waste) with service reductions (charging for all green bin emptying & reducing the frequency of grey bin emptying to monthly).
The costs and implications of the latter two “options” are not explained.
So what does it really mean?
Labour are seeking endorsement for their plans to:
- Reduce the investment in road and footpath repairs
- Reduce the number of sub-urban litter bins
- Sweep streets less frequently
- Reduce grey bin emptying to once a month
- Make an annual charge to everyone who has a green bin
- Get local “volunteers” to “manage” parks and open spaces.
Should I respond to the survey?
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t
Silence may be pronounced as contentment with the changes planned by “rewiring” supporters.
On the other hand, prioritising a very limited number of options could be used as a justification for an unpopular change to waste collection arrangements (just about the only Council service that every resident uses).
The survey can’t be answered “on line” so freepost returns will cost taxpayers over 40p each, putting more pressure on public service standards.
What we’d do
Send an Email with your views to rewiringyork@york.gov.uk.
Say that the Council should abandon other, less essential, projects to make savings.
Say that core street level public service standards should be sustained.
Tell the Council to make future consultations timely, fairer giving full information on costs, provide a wider range of options and offer an “on line” response option.