York drunks face pub entrance breathalyser checks

Police in York have unveiled their latest tool to help curb drink-induced disorder in the city.

Breathalyser device for door staff

Breathalysers have been given to door staff at a number of licensed premises to help stop people who have had too much to drink from getting in to bars and clubs.

While door staff will still use discretion over an individual’s level of intoxication and whether or not they are in a fit state to enter their premises, a breath/alcohol reading of twice the drink drive limit or higher could greatly increase the chances of someone being refused entry.

Not everyone will be breathalysed, just those who are suspected of having already had too much to drink.

Acting Inspector Andy Godfrey of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The breathalysers are another tool to help us tackle drink-related disorder and violence. Many people pre-load before going out for the evening and are already heavily intoxicated before they enter a bar.

“Much of the disorder and violence we are called to deal with is triggered by excessive alcohol intake. Being drunk and out of control also makes people more vulnerable. The breathalysers will support door staff in the difficult job of challenging people who they believe have drunk too much.

“So far, the devices have been well received by local licensees and we hope they will have a positive impact on York’s thriving nightlife.”

Nine devices were trialled at various venues over the weekend of 9 January and a further six will be given to licences premises this coming weekend.

Jane Mowat of the Safer York Partnership, which has funded some of the breathalysers, added: “We are delighted to support this initiative which hopefully will not only raise awareness about how much individuals have actually been drinking but also assist in our long term aims to ensure the safety of all those who come to York to enjoy our nightlife.”

The breathalysers are part of a number of initiatives introduced in by North Yorkshire Police in partnership with the City of York Council, the Safer York Partnership, NHS, door staff, members of Pubwatch, Street Angels, British Transport Police and York University, to help keep alcohol fuelled disorder to a minimum.

York police have also introduced new security briefings ahead of each weekend evening. These are attended by door staff, Street Angels and other agencies who help to keep people safe during the night time economy.

Policing patrols are also stepped up during weekend evenings and are boosted by Special Constables who provide additional policing resources voluntarily.

Boat and trailer stolen in Bishopthorpe

Police investigating the theft of a boat trailer in York are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Stolen boat trailer 1

The trailer was stolen from York Marine Services, on Ferry Lane in Bishopthorpe at sometime overnight between 31 December 2014 and 1 January 2015.

Officers are appealing to anyone who saw any suspicious people or vehicles on Ferry Lane or Askham Lane around the time of the theft to get in touch.

Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for PC Lauren McGillivray or York police.

Stolen boat trailer 2

Alternatively, information can be emailed to lauren.mcGillivray@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you prefer not to give your name, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12150000480 when passing information about this incident.

Further consultation on York and North Yorkshire waste and minerals plans

North Yorkshire County Council, the City of York Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority are producing a Minerals and Waste Joint Plan covering all three planning authority areas. 

Rufforth waste plan

The latest draft of the waste plan shows changes to the Harewood Whin (Rufforth) site boundary on page 36.

The three minerals and waste planning authorities have responsibility for preparing a long term plan containing land use planning policies to help take decisions about matters such as where, when and how minerals and waste developments should take place.

 Further information including the main Supplementary Sites Consultation document  is available on the Joint Plan website: www.northyorks.gov.uk/mwconsult

 

 The main purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the additional and revised sites that are contained in this document.

The consultation period for this stage of the Joint Plan will run until Friday 13th March 2015 and all responses must be received by 5pm on that day. 

Key York planning decisions scheduled for 22nd January

Future of B&Q, former Council offices and Del Monte sites to be determined

B & Q Hull Road

Sainsbury’s have applied to convert the premises into retail food store with external alterations including reconfiguration of the shop front, canopy, installation of new customer cafe and associated toilets, installation of ATMs, removal of existing garden centre and builders yard and reconfiguration of site access and customer car park.

The store will have 5,591 Sq m of retail floor space and 505 car parking spaces.

There have been 93 objections to the proposal mainly on transport grounds. Several competitor traders have also objected.

71 people have written in support of the plan.

The application is recommended for approval but will be referred to the Secretary of State who will decide whether to call it in for further consideration.

Del Monte site Skelton

The application seeks outline consent for the use of the site for residential development for up to 60 dwellings. The site has previously been used as a factory, which was demolished last year.

20% of the homes will be “affordable”.

The application is recommended for approval. If approved the new homes will reduce the pressure to build on Green Belt land.

 Former Council offices, 1-9 St Leonards Place

Offices to be turned into homes

Offices to be turned into homes

 This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of 1-9 St Leonard’s and 2- 4 Museum St, and includes the former stable block to the rear.

At present these buildings are vacant and were last used as City of York Council offices. The applicants wish to convert the buildings into 5 town houses and 29 apartments.

The former stable block would be converted to 1 mews house with a double garage and 5 mews houses over 5 double garages would be developed along the rear lane. The layout of the existing St Leonard’s place car park would be revised to create a private car park with 30 parking spaces. Gates and railings would be reinstated around the car park area.

The Council is seeking a contribution of £298,169 towards the provision of “off site” affordable housing. Concerns about air quality for rooms facing St Leonard’s Place, means that windows will be fixed and fresh air ventilation will be drawn mechanically from the rear of the buildings.

The application is recommended for approval together with a parallel application which would permit limited works to the Listed building. This is another project that will reduce the pressure for building on the Green Belt.

  1. Planning permission is also recommended for approved at Hagg Lane, Dunnington for the extension of a car park currently used during the week by Costcutter staff and of Saturdays by footballers.

Designer Outlet traffic congestion set to be relieved

Following a consultation, City of York Council is taking a further report to a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 20 January to progress plans to improve one of York’s busiest road interchanges.

Proposed extra lane for A19 announced

Proposed extra lane for A19 announced

The proposed changes to the A19/A64 junction will form the first phase in the A19 Pinch Point Scheme, which York received approximately £2million for from the government’s Department for Transport, aimed at helping support growth and tackle congestion.
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Lendal Bridge “automatic” fine refund process revealed

Report published – administration to cost extra £150,000

The Council Cabinet will decide on 20th January how to implement the Councils decision to “automatically” refund those who were fined during the Lendal Bridge trial.

Lendal Man

So far 12,512 refunds have been issued by the Council.

The most likely course of action is that all 35,000 motorists, who have not yet claimed a refund, will be written to and advised of their opportunity to claim.

After that the process will be much the same as the scheme currently in operation.

The cost of sending out and managing the notification process is put at £150,000. The money will come from grant income which otherwise would have been spent on public services in the City.

In total the Council took around £1.8 million in fines from the Lendal bridge and Coppergate schemes. The Council continues to pursue a claim that the Coppergate fines were levied lawfully but their appeal has been outstanding for over 9 months now.

Additionally, over £700,000 was spent on implementing and administering the original schemes.

The Council is shying away from simply putting a cheque in the post to the registered vehicle keeper details that its agents have on file. They fear that many of the payments would not reach the right people (hire cars, parental cars, foreign tourists, deceased etc)  and Legal Counsel have said that such an option could jeopardise the Councils  Coppergate appeal.

All in all it now looks like the Lendal Bridge experiment will cost over £1 million.

That is money which could, and should, have been spent addressing road safety issues across the whole City.

Move to improve welcome at York’s elderly care homes

Over 300 staff from City of York Council’s Older People’s Homes will be carrying out a special training course which will put them in the shoes of a new resident moving in to their care home this month.

The council’s seven Older Person’s Homes are very popular with residents and their families, not least because of the high level of care provided by staff.

It’s hoped that the additional training session will further improve the experience for residents –  and their families – when they enter residential care.
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