Government Minister backs call for publication of York bus reliability figures.

Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker has backed calls for the York Council and local bus operators to publish details of the reliability being achieved on bus services.

In a letter to Steve Galloway the Minister says, “Surveys have shown that punctuality and reliability are the primary concerns of actual and potential bus users. … It is essential for passengers that the bus turns up, is reasonably on time and arrives at its destination when expected…..We expect Local Authorities to be accountable locally in part through publishing data sets which can be benchmarked

Letter page 1 clcik to enlarge

Letter page 2 click to enlarge

The response comes following concerns that the York Council is so far refusing to publish the details that it holds on local bus service reliability.

Nor do most local bus operators publish service punctuality data on their web sites as a matter of routine.

We are absolutely clear that passengers should be given the information that the council holds on its contracted services and that it should release, each month, the “mystery traveller” information that it gathers on reliability.

Bus operators also should release the information which they gather from their GPS monitoring systems.

Bus service reliability in York click to enlarge

Bus service waiting time in York click to enlarge

The data already collected by the DfT (see left) actually suggests that – up to March 2012 – bus reliability in York was gradually improving. What has happened since then is a mystery to passengers.

Exceptional circumstances such as the recent floods will, of course, affect services; but that is no reason for secrecy.

Meanwhile a report which was to have included a bus improvement study for the City was quietly removed from the agenda of a Council “decision” meeting which was scheduled for 27th September.

With expenditure of over £200,000 of taxpayers money already committed to introducing a quality bus contract system into the City, passengers will now be wondering when they will see any improvements in return for their investment?

The issue of bus reliability is likely to be raised at the York Council meeting next Thursday by LibDem transport spokesperson Ann Reid.

In the meantime we understand that some passengers are hoping to set up a new bus service watchdog group in the City. More details will be provided when we get them.

NB. First are introducing new bus timetables from Sunday. See http://tinyurl.com/Bus-changes-York-7th-Oct-12

York residents give their verdict on public safety and policing

Residents in York are broadly positive about the city in terms of public safety and their attitudes towards the police, according to a new survey.

The survey gave residents the opportunity to express their views on York and their local areas in terms of crime, anti-social behaviour and policing.

Academics at the York Management School at the University of York, led by Professor Kiran Fernandes, devised and delivered the survey alongside City of York Council with the support of North Yorkshire Police and Safer York Partnership.

The survey gathered the views of over 2,400 residents and former residents of York between April and June this year. It revealed that three-quarters of respondents felt that York is a safe place overall and more than 90 per cent of respondents indicated they were satisfied with their local area as a place in which to live.

Approximately 70 per cent of respondents had confidence in the police in York and over 80 per cent felt that they could rely on them to treat them with respect. Most also had positive views about the levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in their areas with the issue of rubbish or litter generally being the biggest cause for concern.

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New York Council procurement system aims to make it simpler for suppliers

City of York Council has improved the way it manages electronic procurement, by enabling suppliers to update their account details at a click of a button.

The council has changed its supplier management system to Supplierforce, which enables suppliers to register themselves on the system, manage their records and keep documents such as insurance and accounts up-to-date on the system..

The aim of the updated system is to be the first point of reference for suppliers when seeking quotation and tenders, whilst reducing duplication when undertaking future procurement projects to ensure the process of doing business with the council is as efficient as possible.

Letters and emails have been sent to all of the council’s existing suppliers explaining the changes to the new web-based supplier management system.

£1 million fund. York taxpayers find out where their money is going

It has become clear how the York Council’s controversial £1 million “Delivery and Innovation fund” is being spent. Allocations, of under £100,000, from this fund are made by the Leader of the Council.
Contrary to expectations, most of the money has been allocated to “beer and skittles” style leisure events*.

There is a history going back a couple of centuries of unscrupulous politicians using various transient events to draw the attention of voters from more pressing matters. Cynics called it a “beer and skittles” tactic.

The tradition seems to be alive and well in York.

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Council call for end to threat of green bin charging

Liberal Democrats will next week formally call on Labour to rule out charging for green bin waste collections after over 1,000 residents came out against the plans.

In July it was revealed that Labour run City of York Council was considering introducing a “subscription-based service” and seasonal garden waste collections in a bid to make budget savings. After the resignation of Cllr Sandy Fraser, then Cabinet Member for Environment Services, Labour’s plans were delayed with public consultation now not due to begin until next year.

However, at next week’s Full Council meeting the Liberal Democrats will call on Labour’s new Cabinet Member, Cllr David Levene, to abandon the plans. The Lib Dem petition against charging has already been signed by 1,173 residents. The Group has also raised concerns that charging will lead to a fall in recycling and a rise in landfill tax for the council. Last month, it was revealed that due to missed recycling targets, the Council will pay £3.3 million in landfill tax this year, an increase of nearly £400,000 on last year. A fall in green waste recycling would make the problem worse.

Councillor Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environmental Services, commented:

“After months of uncertainty we are calling on Labour to formally abandon the plans to charge for the green bin service. The response from the public has been overwhelming this summer with 1,173 residents so far having signed a petition against the plans. Residents are angry that this frontline service is under threat and they see that this is just another way of getting money out of people for a service that is not changing or improving.

“Without public support these plans are unworkable and could lead to the situation that Labour had in Newcastle, where they introduced charging and over 40,000 residents returned their bins. A similar reaction in York would have a huge impact on recycling rates and could lead to a further rise in the landfill tax the Council is paying. Already, after the closure of the Beckfield Lane site, landfill tax is set to rise by £400,000 this year. A fall in garden waste being recycled will make the problem worse and is likely to cancel out any money raised through charging.

“It is time for Labour to cut their losses and stop spending any more money preparing these unpopular and ill-thought through proposals.”

NB Councillor Ann Reid will ask the Labour Cabinet Member for Environmental Services the following question at next Thursday’s Full Council meeting: “Given the delays in consultation, the threat of a rise in landfill tax charge, and the public opposition, will the Cabinet Member formally rule out introducing charging for the green bin service?”

1173 residents have so far signed a petition against Labour’s plans to introduce charging for green bins.

Programme of essential surfacing works in York

City of York Council will carry out essential surfacing works throughout parts of the city next week.

Starting on Monday 8 October, the council will carry out works to Micro Asphalt the following roads, which will provide a new skid resistant overlay.

B1228 Main Street, Elvington

Netherwindings and West Nooks (Part), Haxby

• Melcombe Avenue, Chipstead Walk and Portisham Place, Strensall

• Longwood Road and Rivelin Way, Clifton Moor

• The Village/Sandy Lane, Stockton on the Forest

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Tech support scams

Tech support scams

Cybercriminals might call you on the telephone and claim to be from companies such as Microsoft.

They might offer to help solve your computer problems or sell you a software license.

However, once they have access to your computer, they can do the following:
•Trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. They might also then charge you to remove this software.
•Take control of your computer remotely and adjust settings to leave your computer vulnerable.
•Request credit card information so they can bill you for phony services.
•Direct you to fraudulent websites and ask you to enter credit card and other personal or financial information there.

Neither Microsoft nor their partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.

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Speed camera sites – Wednesday 3 October to Tuesday 9 October 2012

North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following routes between Wednesday 3 October and Tuesday 9 October 2012.

•B1217 Saxton lay-by
•Grange Farm, Wheldrake Lane Elvington
•Woodhouse Farm, Escrick Road
•A1246 Great North Road, Fairburn
•Escrick Road, Stillingfleet Mine
•A64 west-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•A64 east-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•Brayton Lane, Brayton, Selby
•Barff Lane, Brayton, Selby
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York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir concert Saturday

Tickets are still available for the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir concert taking place in the Guildhall this Saturday, 6 October.

The annual concert is held in support of the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund where the award-winning choir will perform a wide variety of pieces with something to suit all musical tastes, including romantic love songs, numbers from popular shows and jazz.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Keith Hyman, said: “Once again we are delighted that the York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir is able to support the Christmas Cheer Fund. It’s not only the concert we have to thank them for, but all the time and hard work they put in at rehearsals that make this a wonderful occasion. I look forward to seeing a full Guildhall on Saturday evening, for what I know will be an outstanding and uplifting evening.”

Visit York is supporting the event by selling tickets through the visitor information centre and they will be on sale right through until Saturday. Tickets can also be bought from the Guildhall reception during office hours.

Tickets are priced at £9 each, and all the proceeds from the evening will go to the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund, which will this year provide a Christmas reception for 800 elderly York residents. The concert starts at 7.30pm, and the ticket price includes an interval drink.

http://www.myspace.com/music/player?sid=3183188&ac=now