Local public service standards threatened by Leeds super authority

Potholes

Liberal Democrats have raised fresh concerns over York’s membership of a new super council after it was revealed that money could be cut from frontline survices to fund the city’s contribution.

Labour run City of York Council has decided to join with Leeds, Bradford and other West Yorkshire metropolitan authorities in a new super council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, from April 2014. York will be expected to contribute around £4million-a-year to the authority, which will have a range of roles including deciding major local transport schemes and overseeing economic development.

At last week’s Full Council meeting, in response to a question from Lib Dem Councillor Keith Orrell, Labour confirmed that they did not know where the £4million-a-year would come from but they would consider taking it from York’s revenue budget – which funds frontline services.
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Vince Cable launches York Business Survey

Vince Cable launching York Business survey

Vince Cable launching York Business survey

 

York born Business Secretary Vince Cable visited the city on Saturday to officially launch a major new business survey.

The Liberal Democrat survey looks at how local businesses can be supported and what more can be done to encourage employers to take on apprentices. It also asks businesses for their views on the Labour run Council’s decision to close Lendal Bridge and issues such as tax, barriers to taking on new staff and the impact of EU membership. The survey will initially be delivered to over 500 businesses across York in the coming weeks.

Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, commented:

“I am delighted to support this effort to engage with local businesses in York. It is crucial that we listen to what employers are saying and ensure that everything is being done to support businesses locally as well as understanding the impact on the ground of national issues.

Speaking on the efforts to encourage employers to take-on apprentices, Vince Cable commented:

“Apprenticeships are one of this Government’s top priorities. Practical, technical and vocational skills should be valued as equals to academic achievement. Since 2010 1.2 million new apprenticeships have helped young people into work including over 4,000 in York. We need to continue this progress by highlighting successful schemes and by understanding what more can be done to encourage local employers to take on apprentices.”

As part of the survey the York Lib Dems will be establishing a new Local Business Forum. This will give employers in York an opportunity to discuss the local economy and the impact of City of York Council policies.

Latest Planning application Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Location:       13 Windermere York YO24 2RN

Proposal:       Single storey side and rear extension

Ref No: 13/03673/FUL

Applicant:      Mr William Croft        Contact Mr Richard Carr  Consultation Expiry Date        6 January 2014 Case Officer:   Will Steel      Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       258 Tadcaster Road York YO24 1ES

Proposal:       Installation of rooflight to front and erection of boundary wall and gates

Ref No: 13/03763/FUL

Applicant:      Mrs Joan Sbragia        Contact M T S Architectural Services    Consultation Expiry Date        6 January 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       16 Lawson Road York YO24 1NE

Proposal:       Two storey side extension

Ref No: 13/03758/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Htoon Aung   Contact Mr Paul Nicholas        Consultation Expiry Date        6 January 2014 Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       3 Bracken Road York YO24 1JT

Proposal:       Two storey side extension

Ref No: 13/03765/FUL

Applicant:      Mrs Catherine Ken-Robson    Consultation Expiry Date        6 January 2014 Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level DEL

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Askham Bryan college extension – decision on Thursday

Askham Bryan College

click for larger plan

click for larger plan

The college has applied to provide:

  • • Two Animal Management Centres
  • • Animal shelters, aviary and enclosures to the south of the animal management centre and within the arboretum (between the main campus building and the A64), perimeter fence to the wildlife and conservation area
  • • Birds of prey centre
  • • Following the demolition of the existing animal management buildings extension of existing parking facilities. The parking would become more formalised and would provide bus turning and waiting facilities
  • • Conversion of the existing equestrian building to provide storage and winter housing for animals in relation to the animal management centre
  • • The quadrangle of the main teaching block would be covered by a glazed roof
  • • An entrance lobby to the main teaching block
  • • Two rows of single storey portacabin student accommodation set between the existing student accommodation and the teaching blocks (retrospective) a 3 year temporary planning permission is sought for this development
  • • A farm reception building
  • • Extensions of an existing agricultural building
  • • A general purpose/livestock building on the site of the existing silage clamp
  • • A silage clamp
  • • Conversion of existing cattle shed to equine loose boxes
  • • An equestrian centre, with entrance from York Road and 2 no. two bed dwellings
  • • Re-profiling of fields/hill to the west of the campus to create a polo field with associated landscaping

Student numbers are projected to nearly double over the next 5 years from 1200 to 2300. The level of car parking on site will increase from approximately 390 spaces to 530 spaces.

A second application involves an outline application for the erection of new building and conversion of existing building to provide student accommodation; the erection of teaching block following the demolition of a workshop; and the erection of an engineering building

The applications are for developments in the Green Belt. They are recommended for approval but will have to be referred to the Secretary of State for approval.
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Terry’s
A “reserved matters” application for Phase 1 of the development of the former Terry’s factory site will also be considered. It comprises 57 houses, one 18 unit apartment building and one. 11 unit apartment building with ground floor retail unit. Details can be found by clicking here.

The plans are recommended for approval
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Lawrence Street

Site is the former Reg Vardy car showroom

The proposals involve the demolition of existing car showroom and the erection of 3 student accommodation buildings comprising of 220 studios with associated external works including a freestanding energy building.
Click here for details

4 back lanes to be “gated” in Bishopthorpe Road area

Back lane gate locations. click for larger plan

Back lane gate locations. click for larger plan

The Council has agreed to put security gates on the following back alleys

  • Millfield Road/Thorpe Street
  • Thorpe Street/Russell Street
  • Russell Street/Scott Street
  • Scott Street/Nunmill Street

The change means that refuse will in future be collected from the front of properties.

The proposals were controversial but objections were overuled last week by the Cabinet member (Cllr Merrett)

The plan is expected to cost around £18,000 to implement and should improve security for properties backing onto the lanes involved.

The Nunmill Street/Bishopthorpe Road alleyway will remain open.

Heslington Road cycle lane to be removed.

click for larger map

click for larger map

A length of no waiting restriction with a limited waiting parking bay on Heslington Road is to be provided in the vicinity of St Lawrence’s Primary School.

The changes follows problems with parents parking in restricted areas near the school.

The Council wishes to encourage them to use a new limited waiting parking bay.

This will mean that the cycle lane will also be removed.