The Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2013

In recent years audiences have come to expect more from cinema with innovative screenings popping up across the UK, from Secret Cinema to films watched from hot tubs. For those looking to adventure this autumn, the third Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York, sponsored by York St John, is one of the most exciting site-specific cinematic experiences in the UK.

With screenings taking place in a host of hidden locations across the city, you can expect to find something surprising around every corner. Slip down one of York’s many snickleways to discover a stunning medieval hall and in amongst the banqueting tables watch documentaries from all corners of the world. Or why not take a walk around the city walls to catch films screening in a tower above the city? 15 historic venues lead visitors on a journey around the city’s most iconic places whilst introducing them to memorable independent short film.

There is something for everyone at ASFF from comedy, drama, animation, music video, art, experimental and even a family-friendly programme for parents who can’t get away for the weekend. For those wishing to involve themselves further, masterclasses from BAFTA, Film4, Channel 4, and one of screenwriting’s most talked about talents Alice Lowe (Ben Wheatley’s recent hit Sightseers) dispense industry tips.

Bus use in York down by 10% last year

Bus use click to enlarge

Bus use click to enlarge

Over a million fewer journeys were made by bus last year in York.

This is equivalent to a 10% reduction in “stage carriage” service use. The figures are described as “provisional”.

The Council has yet to respond fully to a Freedom of Information request on bus usage in the City.

Requests for the City to publish bus reliability information are also mired in a legal wrangle.

Although Park and Ride use increased from 4.1 to 4.3 million trips, it did not offset what is the largest single year decline ever recorded in public transport use in the City.

The start of the decline can be traced back to 2011 when the Council confronted the major provider of services in the City (First) in an attempt to get the futuristic ftr taken off York’s roads.

The ftr had been popular with passengers but the dispute led to a period of conflict between the Council and bus operators.

Recent attempts to “hype” a fares reduction through the media proved to be ill judged as many users found that their journey was actually coasting more.

The Council announced at its last meeting that it is scrapping the Quality Bus Partnership which has been a liaison point between bus operators, passenger representatives and the Council.

It will be replaced by another”behind closed doors” discussion group

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NB. Following on from the bad news about reduced footfall in the City, the Council report has also revealed a drop in car park use from 1.62 to 1.52 million.

They are forecasting a net shortfall of £250k (3.5%) from parking income following data from the first six months.

The decline in use followed a decision by the new Labour Council to implement a 36% increase in parking charges.

£4 million landfill tax bill hits York as recycling performance crashes

Council performance stats click to access full report

Council performance stats click to access full report

A Council report has revealed that the amount of waste going to landfill in the City is significantly increasing.

As a result York taxpayers face a £3,918,960 bill – up over 17% on budget forecasts.

The fall in performance comes only weeks after a change in collection arrangements brought chaos to some streets in York.

The position is likely to deteriorate further over the winter as the Council is stopping collecting green waste altogether. The winter months accounted for around 18% of this type of waste last year.

The fear is that most of this will now go to landfill.

Historic recycling rates in York. Click to enlarge

Historic recycling rates in York. Click to enlarge

During the period when the Liberal Democrats led the council the amount of recycling and green waste sent for composting had substantially increased each year.

Now, against a background of delays on the longer term Allerton Park waste treatment project, prospects look increasingly bleak for both taxpayers and environmentalists in the City.

York Police step up Halloween patrols

North Yorkshire Police is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness about anti-social behaviour (ASB) during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

Under the Association of Chief Police Officers’ “In Focus” banner, the week of action runs from Monday 28 October until Tuesday 5 November 2013.

Haloween

Police Officers, Special Constables and Police Community Support Officers will be carrying out a large number of activities, including:

•Delivering posters to shops to prevent young people buying eggs and flour and fireworks

•Delivering “No trick or treat” posters to vulnerable and elderly people to display in windows

•High visibility patrols in areas where ASB has been an issue previously

•Visiting schools to educate young people about ASB and the dangers of fireworks

•Targeting known ASB offenders so that they know we are watching them

•Identifying insecure properties and offering crime prevention advice

Social media is also being used to provide information and advice to local residents, as well as promoting the activities taking place during the week of action.

To receive the updates you can follow North Yorkshire Police on Twitter @NYorksPolice using the hashtags #ASB or #InFocus.

Specials activity in York

On Monday 4 November 2013, around 25 Special Constables in York will be carrying out targeted patrols in the city focusing on ASB and burglary hotspots.

The night before Bonfire Night has often seen an increase in the levels of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage by juveniles taking part in Mischief Night. The team of specials will carry out high-visibility patrols to prevent and detect criminal damage, as well as offering reassurance to vulnerable people.

The team will also be checking properties to make sure that they do not present an opportunity for burglars. If they find an insecure property the officers will leave crime prevention advice.

York
•Monday 4 November 2013, Special Constables on high visibility anti-social behaviour and Beat the Burglar patrols

•Engagement with repeat victims of anti-social behaviour and persistent callers from the same period in previous years in order to offer reassurance

•Distribution of “No Trick or Treat” posters to local residents who are either repeat victims of anti-social behaviour, live in a anti-social behaviour hotspot areas or are vulnerable

•Delivering “Flour and eggs – not for sale” posters to local retailers

•Leaflets to local businesses regarding the sale of fireworks and alcohol to youths

•Engagement with known anti-social behaviour offenders so they know the police are watching them

•Engagement with students at York University and St Johns College regarding noise nuisance from late night parties

•High visibility patrols in the anti-social behaviour hot spots including the mobile police office to offer reassurance

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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

Location: 5 – 7 Weddall Close York YO24 1EG

Proposal: Fell Lime (T1) Tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No 9

Ref No: 13/03394/TPO

Applicant: Mr Peter Burgess Consultation Expiry Date 18 November 2013 Case Officer: Esther Priestley Expected Decision Level DEL
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Location: The Constantine 310 Tadcaster Road York YO24 1HF

Proposal: Fell Maple (T7), Prune Robinia (T4), Lime (T2), Holly (T1,T3), Trees in the Conservation Area

Ref No: 13/03391/TCA

Applicant: Mrs Joan Thorpe Contact David Gregory Consultation Expiry Date 18 November 2013 Case Officer: Esther Priestley 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.

Tadcaster Road/Slingsby Grove Bus Stop Improvements

Tadcaster Road bus stop proposed changes click to enlarge

Tadcaster Road bus stop proposed changes click to enlarge

The Council is consulting on proposed “improvements” to the bus stop adjacent to No.80 Tadcaster Road.

The proposal is to construct a build-out to the existing footpath at the existing bus stop.

The existing bus stop area of the layby is then marked out and protected by traffic order as a loading bay.

There have been complaints from drivers leaving Slingsby Grove that sight lines to the left are blocked by (illegally) parked vans.

Any representations should be made by Email to mark.reade@york.gov.uk by Friday 15th November 2013

Bus reliability in York – silence continues

The Council continues only to make annual bus reliability figures available for passengers in the city.

bus-stop1

At the last Council meeting Cllr Merrett confirmed that 1 in 5 buses were unreliable

“In the City of York area, 81% of the city’s non-frequent services (5 or fewer services per hour) ran on time (between 59 seconds early and 5 mins 59 secs late) in 2011/12.

In 2012/13, the equivalent figure was 82%”.

However it has subsequently been admitted that this is a single day sample and may bear little resemblance to the service experienced by users on most days of the year.

The Council is still resisting publishing reliability data even at a monthly level.

Such figures would at least give passengers an insight into how services vary from one season to the next.

The lack of information contrasts with the requirements placed on Train Operating Companies who are forced to publish data on a regular basis.

It is likely that this issue will be referred to the new Transport Secretary Baroness Kramer with a request that she intervene and set out a good practice guide.