Over 350 two-year-olds take up free childcare places in York

Over 350 two year olds in York have taken up the offer of free childcare places this term – over two thirds of those who are eligible.

click for more information

click for more information

Approximately 600 two-year-olds in York – double last year’s figure – are eligible for up to 15 hours of free childcare a week at a playgroup, day nursery or with a childminder this term as part of a national initiative. A further 500 will be eligible from January.

Parents, who earn no more than £16,190 a year and receive Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit or Income Support, could be eligible for a free childcare place for their child or children. Two-year-olds, who are looked after by the council or have a Child Protection Plan, automatically qualify for a place.

Children with special educational needs, those who have been adopted or with a residency/special guardianship order also qualify for a place.

The free places are available to children who are two years of age and whose parents fulfil the criteria. The places can be taken up the term after the child’s second birthday.

Parents can apply on line at www.yor-ok.org.uk/childcare or to find out more call the Family Information Service on 01904 554444 or text ‘’free place’ to 07624 802244.

Clegg slams Labour Local Plan for York

In a letter to local Labour Councillor James Alexander the Liberal Democrat leader criticises “incremental” housing development – adding homes to existing communities – and advocates larger schemes on “Garden City” principles that are accompanied by new schools and other key infrastructure.

Labour's Local Plan proposals 2013 click to enlarge

Labour’s Local Plan proposals 2013 click to enlarge

He writes: “I recognise that the incremental add-on style of development, or ‘urban sprawl’, tends to cause high levels of local resentment.

“Building around the edges of existing developments often destroys local green spaces, does nothing to improve local infrastructure and tends to create a drain on resources such as schools and hospitals.”

The Lib Dem leader said he was looking at a “range of options” to encourage communities to accept new garden cities.

The Local Plan published by Labour 18 months go relied heavily on incremental development. The fringe building proposals including using sensitive sites like Moor Lane

The Labour Plan was sent back to the drawing board in October

The only development which might have been considered to be a new “garden village” was a 6000 home community be called “Whinthorpe” which was to have been located south of the A64 southern by pass near the University.

It is, however, in the Green Belt and would require a huge investment in transport infrastructure to bring to fruition.

The expectation is that any new garden village would be located further away from existing urban areas with the ability to provide enhanced transport links a key criteria.

Liberal Democrats have previously identified how an additional 12,000 homes can be provided on brownfield land in the City over the next 25 years.

This would be adequate to meet the requirements of any realistic economic growth projection.

The LibDem plan would – unlike Labours – include a “windfall” allowance intended to recognised that many homes will be built on sites which are currently used for other purposes.

NB. Most new homes built in the City during the last 5 years have been built on brownfield land.

Over the last 18 months a record number of planning applications for new houses (over 1600) have been approved by the York Council. 90% of these have been for brownfield “windfall” sites not identified for redevelopment in Labours Local Plan.

A1237 northern by pass to be closed each evening for up to a week

Cycle bridge to be installed – Unfinished cycle route saga to end?

cycle path Wigginton

Improvements to the much criticised cycle path built on the A1237 near Wigginton may be coming to a conclusion.

The York Council has published the following legal notice.

Notice is hereby given that City of York Council, not less than 7 days from the publication of this Notice, intends to make an Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 prohibiting vehicles from proceeding in A1237 York between its junctions with Wigginton Road (B1363) and Haxby Road (closed road) during the period commencing at 1900hrs on the 15th day of November 2014 and ending at 0700hrs on the 20th day of January 2015 (works period) or at time when new Haxby Cycleway Bridge installation works being undertaken by crane operations from the closed road have been completed whichever is the earlier. This is to ensure that the said works can be carried out safely. It is envisaged that the prohibition will only be put in to place, between the following times and dates:

  • 1900hrs on Saturday 15th November 2014 till 0800hrs on Sunday 16th November;
  • 1900hrs on Sunday 16th November 2014 till 0630hrs on Monday 17th November;
  • 1900hrs on Monday 17th November 2014 till 0630hrs on Tuesday 18th November.

An alternative route for diverted traffic will be available via Wigginton Road, Mill Lane, The Village, York Road, Haxby Road and vice versa. Traffic signs/barriers will indicate the extent of the prohibitions.

Poisoning from e-cigarettes on the rise

e-cigs-rev-4City of York Council is urging people to take more care with e-cigarettes due to a reported increase in nicotine poisoning.

Results published in Public Health England’s (PHE) annual report on the National Poisons Information Service shows there has been an increase in calls on nicotine poisoning associated with personal vapourisers (e-cigarettes).

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Civic Party to join tributes at remembrance commemorations

Poppy day

The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Ian Gillies, will pay respect to soldiers and ex service personnel at the city’s official remembrance service and parade in the Memorial Gardens on Leeman Road on Sunday 9 November.

The Civic Party will be joined by Councillors, Honorary Alderman, chief officers and invited guests in departing from the Guildhall in procession for the annual event this Sunday.

The main parade will depart from the Eye of York at 10.30am, including serving military personnel from services and regiments across the city, along with civilian organisations, including Scouts, Guides and St John Ambulance, and will arrive at the Memorial Gardens in Leeman Road for the annual service and commemoration at 11am.

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York Council Tax exemption costs published

Student accommodation costs taxpayers £18 million over 5 years.

The York Council has published a table showing the amount of Council Tax not collected over the last 5 years because of approved “exemptions”.

The amount not collected totals £34 million.

By far the largest proportion of this is accounted for by student occupied accommodation. This accounts for around £18 million of the total. Central government claims that this is recognised in the grant distribution formulae which is aimed at equalising resources between different Councils (and is effectively funded from income tax). However the precise make up of individual central government council support grants is largely opaque.

The figure is likely to re-energise the claims of those who feel that student accommodation should attract either Council Tax or Business Rates payments.

Other reasons why properties did not attract Council Tax liability included:

  • Empty and unfurnished property (£4.5 million)
  • Awaiting probate (£1.9 million)
  • Student halls of residence (£1.7 million)
  • Occupation by members of the armed forces (£2.9 million)
  • Property occupied by people with a mental handicap (£2.3 million)
Council Tax exemptions click to access

Council Tax exemptions click to access

Have your say on York’s Flood Risk Management Strategy

York floods Sept 2012 bar walls

Working with key partners including the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water, City of York Council has created a draft Local Flood Risk Management strategy which will go out to a six-week consultation from Wednesday 5 November until Wednesday 17 December at www.york.gov.uk/consultations

A consultation questionnaire is available to complete online from this week. Alternatively, paper copies are available from libraries and Explore Centres across York, or the council’s West Offices building. Feedback can also be submitted to FRM@york.gov.uk .

To read the full strategy, FAQs and an information leaflet visit: www.york.gov.uk/floodriskstrategy

The development of the strategy follows severe floods in 2007 across the UK, including York, which affected over 55,000 homes and businesses causing over £3billion worth of damage across the UK.

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Unleash your creativity with 3D Printing at Explore Acomb Library

On Saturday 6 December, Explore Acomb Library will be hosting two 3D Printing events.

3d_touch_3d_printer

During these three-hour events, experts will train learners in 3D design using the latest technology, and each learner will be given the opportunity to print their design to take home with them – this could include 3D jewellery, ornaments, model trains, toys, utensils and much more.

And as the events occur in early December, this could be the perfect opportunity to design and create a unique Christmas gift for that special someone.

Customers have a choice of a morning or afternoon session:

Saturday 6 December, 9.30am – 12.30pm

Saturday 6 December, 13.30pm – 16.30pm.

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Please call Explore Acomb Library on 01904 552651 to reserve a place. Tickets are priced at £30 per person which includes design training, model creation and refreshments. The events are open to all ages.

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