The Council have responded to our story of a couple of weeks ago http://tinyurl.com/Com-Stad-Sept-2012) by advertising for a developer/operator.

The contractor will manage not just the Community Stadium, but also several other leisure facilities in the City.

These include the highly successful “Energise” sports complex on Cornlands Road as well as the Yearsley Pool.

There has been no consultation with users about the implications of the Councils decision which was, of course, taken behind closed doors.

This means that taxpayers could lose their influence over how these facilities are managed.

The Council statement reads,
“York’s new Community Stadium has moved into its next major phase.
An Official Journal of the European Community (OJEU) Procurement notice has been placed by city of York council to start the procurement process to appoint a contractor to design, build and operate York’s new Community Stadium.
The procurement process for the new Community Stadium is expected to take 15 months with the contract being awarded in November 2013. This will include the appointment of a new operator to take ownership of the daily operation of Energise, Yearsley Pool, and Huntington stadium leisure complex early in 2014”.

The Community Stadium project has been dogged by delays since Labour took control of the Council 18 months ago.

It could now be 2016 before the stadium is actually up and running.

City of York Council’s Trading Standards Officers have received a number of complaints from York residents about a gang carrying out roofing repairs.

The complainants – most of whom are in their 80’s – claim that they have been pressurised into agreeing to unnecessary repairs after being led to believe that their roofs are in poor condition.

There appears to be patterns emerging in the gang’s approach. In some cases residents have been told that birds have been seen coming from the roof, in others the householder has been persuaded to allow the traders to clean their gutters and then have been told that a problem has been spotted. Some complainants report that they have been cajoled into allowing a loft inspection only to be told that the insulation is soaked through due to leaks.

Anyone who been approached in this way is urged to contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 040 506.

The Council is also aware that some traders are not leaving the paperwork that is required by law and which gives consumers notice that they have a seven-day cooling off period. It is important that consumers are made aware of this right, as it gives people time to think about their decision, get other quotes, check value for money and establish if the work is necessary in the first place.

City of York Council is now offering residents another way to receive their council tax bills.

E-billing will provide council tax customers who live in the City of York Council area with the opportunity to receive their council tax bill, along with all the relevant supporting information, electronically, giving them 24-hour access to their bills.

This service will be similar to the way in which many customers already receive their utility bills. As soon as the bill is available, the customer will be sent an e-mail notifying them, and they will be able to securely view their account online.

Customers who wish to register for this service can do so by visiting www.york.gov.uk/advice/Council_tax/

North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following roads between Wednesday12 and Tuesday 18 September 2012.

•A64 east-bound, Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•Strensall Road, Huntington, York
•A1237 Monks Cross, York
•A64 east-bound Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster
•The Village, Stockton On Forest, York
•4A1036 Malton Road, York
•A1237 Monks Cross, York (more…)

The York Council’s Leaders claims, that Nick Clegg favoured a citywide 20 mph speed limit in York, have proved to be untrue.

In a letter to The Press, the LibDem’s Chief Executive confirms that the party’s policy is that decisions on appropriate speed limits should be taken locally, and reflect the different conditions that exist on roads in different parts of the country.

In York, Liberal Democrats are resisting the Labour plan to introduce a 20 mph speed limit across the whole of the City believing that available resources should be concentrated on reducing the number of Killed and Seriously Injured on roads in the City.

Individual roads ahould have the most appropriate speed limit bearing in mind their individual characteristics and accident potential.

The letter reads,

“It is disappointing to see Labour’s Coun James Alexander twisting the words of Nick Clegg in a private letter (“Nick Clegg backs York 20mph speed limit plan”, The Press, September 4).

Coun Alexander claims the letter shows Mr Clegg’s backing for the council’s plans to introduce 20mph speed limits across the city by 2014. It does not.

It was sent in response to Coun Alexander’s letter to Mr Clegg supporting a policy motion to be debated at Liberal Democrat autumn conference this month.

Coun Alexander offered support for the Lib Dem motion and Mr Clegg’s office responded thanking him for his support. The letter was not an endorsement of the council’s scheme nor should it be interpreted as such.

As with all policy motions, the proposal will be debated fully by Liberal Democrat members and may be passed, defeated or amended. Unlike the other parties, the Lib Dems are genuinely democratic and our grassroots supporters decide our party policy.

Residential speed limits are set locally and York Liberal Democrats are entirely right to campaign for what they believe is right for the city.

Tim Gordon, chief executive of the Liberal Democrats, Westminster, London”.

First have confirmed that the number 4 and 5 services are to be combined from 7th October. The result will be a 7 minute frequency.

Details of this and other bus changes are now displayed on the First web site. http://tinyurl.com/Bus-changes-York-7th-Oct-12

On the face of it the service should increase capacity on the number 4 route through Dringhouses and may reduce the danger of people being left at bus stops at busy times. How popular the change will prove to be in the Acomb area remains to be seen.

In future the number 4 will not penetrate the new University campus but will turn at Heslington Hall (as it used to) which may also improve reliability.

Also affected are the number 12, which is now confirmed as routing to Monks Cross, and the 13 which will link Tadcaster Road to Haxby.

The full statement from First reads: (more…)

Locations across York are being hung with the work of some of the finest quilters in the UK, as 30 contemporary artworks are threaded across 30 different public locations to help celebrate York 800.

From 14 September to 16 November, Quilt City celebrates 800 years of the city of York with a time-honoured traditional skill which today’s needleworkers are reinterpreting for the future. The city-wide exhibition has been funded by City of York Council, the National Lottery through Arts Council England and The Quilters’ Guild.

The Quilter’s Guild has commissioned quilts from two leading quilters specially for the exhibition. A colourful quilt map stitched by award-winning quilter Alicia Merrett will be hung at York Explore Library Learning Centre. Influenced by John Speed’s 17th century map of York, the quilt celebrates the permanence of the main landmarks of York – hopefully many of which will stand for at least another 800 years.

The second quilt by Linda Barlow represents a lively party scene attended by famous people associated with York. This will be hung at the Guild headquarters at St. Anthony’s Hall, Peasholme Green, and includes figures such as ghost Roman soldiers enjoying a drink at Betty’s, Guy Fawkes sorting fireworks and Dick Turpin.

The other quilts have been made specially for the exhibition and many are for sale. They can be found at venues including Barley Hall, York Theatre Royal and the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall as well as at retailers such as Cath Kidston, Purple Haze Vintage Clothing, Ramshambles and York Cocoa House. Quilts will also be on display in The Bar Convent, Lady Ann Middleton’s and Monkbar Hotels. (more…)

York residents are being urged to sign up for free home insulation before the offer expires in December.

The Wrapping up York scheme, which entitles all residents to free loft and cavity wall insulation, is tackling fuel poverty by keeping houses warmer and helping householders save up to £310* on their fuel bills. People on certain income-related benefits can also claim a £100 ‘cash back’ incentive for insulating.

“There’s no catch – it’s simply a case of calling Yorkshire Energy Partnership on 01904 55 44 06 to arrange a free survey. The scheme is open to all homeowners in the city – including landlords – but please do take advantage of the scheme whilst funding lasts.”

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a house can lose up to 60 per cent of its heating through its walls and roof – and insulation can help householders save up to £310* per year on their energy bills.

For more information or to claim your FREE insulation, call Yorkshire Energy Partnership on 01904 55 44 06 quoting ‘Wrapping up York’.

Yorkshire Energy Partnership can also help residents with advice about renewable energy – including sourcing accredited installers in the Yorkshire area. To find out how you can save, (and earn) money through using renewable energy, call them on 01904 55 44 06.

A planning application has now been made to provide an athletics track and closed road racing cycle circuit with ancillary parking, lighting and fencing, and including re-routing of public right of way on the part of the University Campus lying between Field Lane and Low Lane, the A64 and Hull Road York. The scheme will form part of the recently opened Sports Village complex and is intended to replace the athletics track at the Huntington stadium. The facilities would be delivered as a joint venture between the University of York, City of York Council and British Cycling and form part of the “Community Stadium” project which was agreed in 2010.

The new athletics track will have 8 lanes rather than the current 6 and will have long jump pits outside the track, which will allow throwing events to take place at the same time as jumps. The cycling track will allow off road cycling for beginners, disabled participants and competition. It has the backing of local cycling clubs and accessible bike providers. A track in this region has been identified as a priority in British Cycling’s facilities development plan.

A combined grandstand and pavilion building would be provided but is not included in the current planning application. Whilst the design and specification have yet to be agreed the pavilion is expected to be single-storey and provide a reception, changing rooms, toilets, showers and a multi-function room. The pavilion would also provide facilities for the closed road racing circuit, including a cycle store, workshop and use of the showers, toilets and multi-function room. The grandstand would be provided alongside the pavilion, facing the athletics track.

Officials are recommending approval of the application. Details can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/York-Athletics-Sept-2012

City of York Council’s leisure centre Energise and its fitness equipment supplier, American company Cybex, are raising money for a cancer charity during October.

For every mile gym users log on a new pink Cybex treadmill at Energise gym, the American company will donate 10 cents to local charity, York against Cancer.

Monthly members and registered casual users at Energise are being invited to keep this pink treadmill busy at all times and raise as much money as possible. The gym instructors will also be reminding people to ensure that the treadmill is in constant use throughout the whole period. The machine will be located in the main fitness suite making it easy to use and very visible to all those working out.

Janice Wilford from York Against Cancer is delighted that they have been chosen as the charity to be supported. She said: “York Against Cancer encourages exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Keeping fit, whether for health or competition is proven to be important in helping prevent cancer. Be inspired by the Olympics and help raise funds for the Charity by running a few miles on the Pink Treadmill!”

York Against Cancer is a small, local charity that funds facilities and services that are not provided by other organizations. This includes care services, a commitment to education about cancer and research undertaken through a collaboration between York Hospital and the University of York.

Cybex is the fitness equipment supplier who will be equipping the new, extended gym, which opens at Energise in October.