Go ahead for community stadium

This afternoons Planning Commitee meeting has given approval to the application to build a new Community Stadium at Monks Cross. The application was approved by 11 votes to 4.

The development will mainly be funded from the proceeds of a neighbouring development which will see a John Lewis and a Marks & Spencer (homeware) store constructed.

The decision comes after a lenthy 8 hour committee meeting. The scheme attracted support from LibDem and Labour Councillors while Tory and Green representatives opposed the plan.

The plan may still be “called in” by central government for review.

Tornado puts the wind up metal thieves

North Yorkshire Police put its full support behind a European crackdown on metal theft this week.

Over 50 police officers took part in the 38-hour operation across North Yorkshire to support the European Network of Railway Police Force’s (RAILPOL) National Days of Action and Operation Tornado – a regional police campaign to tackle metal theft. (more…)

York tennis aces train for Special Olympics

A team of four tennis aces from York have been selected to serve for Great Britain in the 8th German Special Olympics National Games on 21 May 2012.

The four learning disabled players, Laura Campbell, Matthew Wreglesworth, Emma Lindsay and Cameron Long, who train at York Tennis Club, Shipton Road under coach Bev Cairns will compete against German and Swiss tennis teams in singles and mixed doubles.

York’s tennis team will be part of the Special Olympics Great Britain delegation led by Paul Ramskill, City of York Council’s Everybody Active Targeted Programme Co-ordinator. The players will leave York on Sunday 20 May to join team mates from Special Olympics Surrey who is sending a four-strong ten-pin bowling team of Jonathan Frett, Michael Lines, Scott Hastings and Hilary Thomas and their coach Alan Howe.

The Games will includes athletes from Austria competing in athletics and cycling, other Swiss teams competing in equestrian, tennis and judo sports, and from France who will be playing football.

Inspire Day in York

It’s Inspire Day on Wednesday 16 May and with just over one month to go before the Olympic Torch arrives in York on 19 June, York is celebrating events inspired by the 2012 London Games which residents can join in to get more out of life or get more active.

The Inspire Programme is a way of ensuring that the excitement and opportunity presented by the 2012 London Games reaches out to people across the UK. In York, a number of organisations have taken up the challenge and won Inspire Marked accreditation. These events have been granted the Inspire Mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (more…)

20 mph speed limit report withheld. Speed camera locations for next week revealed

A Council report, which is expected to recommend that a 20 mph speed limit is introduced throughout York, may not be published on the Council’s web site until Thursday.

This gives anyone wishing to make representations, to the decision meeting which is due to take place next Monday, virtually no chance of making their views known.

It is the latest in a series of attempts by the Labour Council to avoid open debate on controversial issues.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following roads between Wednesday 16 May and Tuesday 22 May 2012.

(more…)

Food hygiene in York web site surprises

37 York premises have been listed as requiring either urgent or major improvements when visited by Council food safety officials during the last 12 months. The premises recorded scores of either 0 or 1 when inspected.

In each case the premises were given a specific period of time in which to make the necessary improvements which could range from better washing facilities through to structural improvements.

The vast majority of premises in York though achieved either a 4 or 5 score indicating that standards of food hygiene are generally good.

Details of the results of individual premises can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/safe-food-york

Traffic arrangements – Dante Race meeting Wednesday 16th to Friday 18th May

Traffic management measures are introduced in the Knavesmire area for days when race meetings occur. All race meetings (day-time) will have the following measures in place.

• Directional signage will be placed on major arterial routes to the city to encourage traffic to approach the racecourse via A1237/A64. Further signage within the city boundaries will reinforce the preferred route of approach.

• No Waiting Cones on Knavesmire Road, Campleshon Road, Bishopthorpe Road (part) and north side of Church Lane, Bishopthorpe. (more…)

Lib Dems say Burnholme parents need answers

York’s Liberal Democrat Group have said they cannot support Labour’s plans to close Burnholme Community College while so many questions remain unanswered ahead of Tuesday’s key Cabinet decision on the issue.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education, Children & Young People, has today commented:

“After meeting parent representatives last week to study Labour’s proposals we cannot support the plans for closure when there are still legitimate questions for the Cabinet to answer. These include the potential £2 million cost for closing the school and a lack of detail as to where the invaluable on-site Special Educational Needs provision will be moved. We also need to see a long-term strategic plan to deal with an increased demand for school places after closure and the rising pupil numbers across York in the next ten years.
“In 2009, the Council agreed a 5 year plan to save the school. This plan should not be abandoned half-way through for short-term financial considerations. The parents and governors have worked tirelessly to present a thorough case that proper support and investment could result in an increase in pupil numbers to improve the viability of the school. This needs to be fully explored before Labour rush into closure. Once the school is closed it will be lost forever to the community. The Cabinet has to address all of the issues before they take a decision that has such profound long-term implications for the pupils, staff and parents.”