Coalition government announce further drop in jobless numbers

US-unemployment-jobs-fair-007

The number of people claiming Jobs Seekers Allowance (JSA) in York has again fallen, representing the largest decrease in the claimant count in seven years between June and July.

The Office for National Statistics have released figures today stating that there are 2490 claimants in York, a decrease of 61 from last month and of 758 from July 2012. The claimant count represents 1.9% of the working population and contrasts to the regional average which stands at 4.4%. The figures are also much lower than the national average which stands at 3.5%.

Generally full employment is achieved when unemployment levels fall below 2%. This recognises the number of people who at any time are “between jobs”.

Even allowing for workers who are currently economically inactive (but not claiming JSA), it raises further questions about Labours Local Plan which aims to increase the number of job by 1000 a year (net).

The Local Plan hyper economic growth targets have been criticised as likely to lead to large scale inward migration into the City or unsustainable commuting levels.

Ice and snow clearance cuts – residents survey announced

Damaged salt bin Cornlands Road

Damaged salt bin Cornlands Road

The Council is asking residents whether it should cut even further the number of salt bins available in the City. They also plan to reduce the number of roads that are gritted (salted).

From Monday 12 August until Sunday 1 September, residents and businesses are invited to complete a three-week consultation on the criteria which is used to help determine how and where the council provides winter maintenance across the city.

To take part in the survey or view the criteria and gritting maps please visit: http://www.york.gov.uk/info/200262/gritting/402/winter_maintenance_services (from Monday 12 August).
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Mansion House history talks announced

Mansion House Christmas

The Mansion House will play host to a variety of talks by a group of local historians this August, as they discuss highlights of the city’s unique past.

The talks include:

•Thursday 15 August- Colin Sheppard investigates the origins of the Sword of Sigismund and offers a chance to see the sword itself.

•Wednesday 21 August- Battlefield historian and English Civil war musketeer Russell Marwood provides a costumed, hands-on insight into the fashion and equipment of a 17th century soldier (This will take place in the Council Chamber).

•Thursday 22 August- Peter Stanhope presents an illustrated talk on ‘A Panorama of Mediaeval York’ by the Edwardian artist Edwin Ridsdale Tate.

Tickets for each event cost £5 for adults and £4 and residents are advised to book in advance.

Tickets can be booked by calling 01904 615505 and more information can be found by visiting http://www.york.gov.uk/events/200640/mansion_house.

Euro election candidate lists become clearer

The lists of candidates selected by the various parties to contest the Euro elections in Yorkshire next May have become clearer.

The Euro elections are unique in the UK being the only occasion when voters express a preference for a political party rather than a named candidate.

Seats are allocated proportionately to the parties “list” of names.

The list order is selected by party members.

Pretty much no candidate, outside of the first three on the party list, has any real chance of being elected, although, in the event of a vacancy occurring part way through a 4 year term of office, the next highest placed candidate on the list can take over (if they are still available).

LibDem

Edward McMillan-Scott MEP

Edward McMillan-Scott MEP

The LibDems have the stand out candidate in Edward McMillan-Scott who has a wealth of experience and a record of hard work both inside and outside the parliament.

1. Edward McMillan-Scott
2. James Monaghan
3. Joe Otten
4. Chris Foote-Wood
5. Jacqueline Bell
6. TBA

Labour:

Labour have reselected their retiring MEP and placed a former MEP at second place on their list.

York Councillor Tracey Simpson Laing despite a high profile announcement of her Euro credentials in April appears to have troubled the scorers rather less than a lower order Australian batman.

1. MCAVAN, Linda
2. CORBETT, Richard
3. TUNNICLIFFE , Eleanor
4. KHAN, Asghar
5. MIRFIN-BOUKOURIS, Helen
6. HUGHES , Darren

Conservative:

The Conservatives have put their retiring MEP at the top of their list

1. Timothy Kirkhope MEP
2. Alex Story
3. John Procter
4. Carolyn Abbott
5. Michael Naughton
6. TBA
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Controversial plans to outsource libraries approved

library cartoon-24

York’s libraries will be taken out of Council control after a controversial Labour decision was rubber-stamped last night.

Last month the Labour Cabinet approved plans for a ‘community benefit society’ to operate York’s libraries and archives from next April, despite the concerns raised by staff and opposition councillors. The changes come at the same time as a £450,000 budget cut to the service, a reduction in library staff, and falling visitor numbers.

Liberal Democrat Councillors Nigel Ayre, Ann Reid and Lynn Jeffries called-in the decision for further review, but Labour used their majority on the cross-party Corporate and Scrutiny Management Committee to force through the change by 5 votes to 4 last night. At the meeting Cllr Ayre said there were still significant unanswered questions in the financial plans and the business case had not been made public.

Speaking at the meeting Cllr Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Heworth Without, commented:
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Details of new York bus services planned for late September

Number 1 bus at station

From Sunday 29th September, First’s bus network in York will see changes that are based on feedback from customers who took part in a major consultation exercise this summer.

A mini ‘transport hub’ in Acomb, better services to York University and the return of a half hourly service in Haxby are the headlines and many other bus customers in York will see positive changes as a result of their feedback.

The future of the number 24 – a York Council subsidised services – remains unclear.

The changes are available for customers online – click here

They include a change requested by ourselves a couple of months ago :

• Acomb – Services 4 and 5 will run into Acomb forming a mini transport hub and re-establishing links to Acomb Front Street

• The number 4 and 5 are being decoupled and will once again operate as independent services

• The number 4 will now always run to Acomb at a Mon-Fri daytime frequency of 7/8 minutes

• It will no longer serve the stretch of Gale Lane between Foxwood Lane and Cornlands Road (which was only introduced last October)

• The 4 will now run to Acomb Front Street and back via the following loop: Cornlands Road >Gale Lane>Front Street> Green Lane > Tudor Road > Cornlands Road

• The 5 will no longer go to Foxwood terminating in Acomb from the north

• Haxby – Services 13 and 13A – First has introduced a new Service 13A to create additional journeys between Haxby and York with four arrivals in the centre by 9am.

• University of York (Heslington) – Services 4 and 6 will now run to the University and will serve the Heslington East campus, creating direct link from the University to Tang Hall and the hospital.

Extra morning buses to York Railway Station (Station Avenue) – Service 2 will run three extra early morning buses from Clifton Moor, via Rawcliffe Bar, to York Railway Station.

Full list of service changes announced by First:

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Speeders and unsafe vehicles targeted by York Police

North Yorkshire Police’s safety camera van caught over 40 speeding motorists during an operation in York.

wheelchair speed

Officers clocked 41 drivers exceeding the speed limit during a multi-agency initiative on the A1237 near Huntington on Monday 12 August 2013.

One offender was travelling at 80mph in a 60mph speed limit area.

York police joined forces with the fire and rescue service and VOSA along with the 95Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership to target drivers committing road traffic offences and using un-roadworthy vehicles.

The initiative was part of the partnership’s commitment to reducing casualties on the county’s roads.

Officers issued a total of 12 fixed penalty notices for offences including no insurance, no MOT, driving without wearing a seatbelt and no tax.

Five un-roadworthy vehicles were issued prohibition notices by VOSA , including two immediate notices for faults so serious that the examiners could not allow the vehicles to continue with their journeys.

The other prohibitions require drivers to fix the faults on their vehicles and have them re-tested within seven days.

One vehicle was seized due to the driver having no insurance.

The latest list of streets where vehicle speeds are being checked can be found by clicking here http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/11869
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