York rises to the Cycle Challenge

The York Cycle Challenge has got off to a flying start with over 100 organisations from across the city registering to taking part, including the University of York and major employers such as York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Over 1,500 people have taken to their bikes so far and pedalled more than 50,000 miles.

With less than two weeks to go, it’s hoped that even more people will choose to get involved before the challenge ends on Sunday 21 July.

The York Cycle Challenge is a competition to encourage people to take to their bikes and discover the joys and benefits of cycling. Workplaces are competing in one of six different size categories to see which can get the most employees cycling.

The event is for all employees, whether they already cycle or haven’t been on a bike for years. The idea is that individual’s cycle at a time to suit them, even if it’s only for ten minutes.

To make sure their bike rides contribute towards their workplace’s success, they must record the details on the York Cycle Challenge website – www.yorkcyclechallenge.org.uk

Scrubber comes to York

City of York Council is harnessing the latest cleaning technology to help keep the city looking its best.

A new suction sweeper has just hit the streets. Maneuvered by an operator walking behind it, the machine pulverises and compacts waste by two thirds, and is nimble enough to use on busy streets. While it might tackle extra waste following busy days in the city centre, equally it can suck up and squash autumn leaves, giving it year-round functionality.
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Less than two weeks left to fill in York Council public services survey

Time is running out for residents in York to have their say on City of York Council and citywide services and have the chance to win a £100 shopping voucher.

The Big York Survey is an opportunity for people to give feedback on services across the city. The council is encouraging residents to take part and complete the survey, which focuses on a range of topics including York’s economy, communities, protecting vulnerable people, protecting the environment and travelling and transport in York.

Currently over 2,300 residents have responded the survey which can be done online at www.york.gov.uk/bigyorksurvey.
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York Minster Fund Emma Bridgewater Mug now in production!

Designed and produced by Emma Bridgewater, the new York Minster Fund mug is sure to become a collector’s item.

The first consignment of this limited edition piece will arrive in the Fund office in September 2013 and advance orders are already being taken.

The mug is priced at £20 plus postage and packing (£4 for UK parcel delivery) and we can accept cash, or cheques made payable to the York Minster Fund.

Send to: York Minster Fund Mug, Church House, 10-14 Ogleforth, York. Y01 7JN

The mug would make a perfect gift, so why not take the opportunity for some early Christmas shopping? Your purchase will support the ongoing restoration and conservation of York Minster.

Mayfield Grove open space “tug of war” climaxes on Friday

Mayfield Grove nature reserve

The public open space in Mayfield Grove has been the victim of a “tug of war” between two potential management organisations for several years.

In one corner is the Chase Residents Association. As local people with a stake in the neighbourhood they would be a natural partner for the Council in maintaining and improving the area.

In the other corner is the pan City “York Natural Environment Trust” (YNET)

Despite mediation, the two groups have not been able to reach a joint agreement and now on Friday Cllr Dave Merrett will be asked to choose which will be trusted with the management of this attractive informal area.

Ironically part of the Labour Councils policy is to divest themselves of maintenance responsibilities for amenity areas.

The report to Fridays meeting says, “To achieve this, the council was ideally looking for community groups to take on the responsibility where the council faces significant financial pressure and resources are stretched at this time. This approach was also seen as the route to achieving wider benefits; an emphasis on nature conservation and providing a green space amenity for the benefit of local residents and the wider York community, as agreed at the 8 March 2012 decision session”.

In many areas residents are understandably reluctant to take on responsibilities which they feel should be covered by their Council Tax payments.

It is ironic therefore that in this case, where there is a willing residents group wishing to adopt the land, they are in danger of being pushed out by a pressure group.

The report talks of deriving some income from the pond use (taken to be fishing rights) to offset costs.

One option being considered is for the Council to retain responsibility for the area and then work with the community groups on an informal basis.

More York burglary arrests

Two people were arrested at York railway station yesterday lunchtime (11 July 2013) by officers from British Transport Police and North Yorkshire Police.

The pair were searched and officers recovered suspected stolen property believe to be related to burglaries in Scarborough and York, along with a large amount of cash.

The man aged 40 and the woman aged 36, both of no fixed address, remain in police custody for questioning.

As a result of further enquiries, a third woman from York, aged in her twenties, was arrested today (12 July) and is currently in custody for questioning.

All three are being questioned in relation to conspiracy to commit burglary.

Crime prevention advice

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4 out of 5 residents in west York oppose introduction of 20 mph speed limit

Nearly 100 formal objections to the Traffic Order, which would create a wide area 20 mph speed limit in the west of York, were received by the Council. This is one of the largest ever responses to the formal advertising of a Traffic Order in the City.

Had the consultation leaflet issued by the Council included a simple “yes or no” survey form then the response is likely to have been much higher.

Many residents did not receive the leaflet. The Council claimed to only have delivered 13,000 leaflets to the 20,000 homes in west York.

240 residents signed up to an Epetition opposing Labour’s plan

Public opinion polls in the area have consistently shown that over 80% of residents are opposed to the plan which will cost taxpayers over £600,000 to implement.

Accident levels after 20 mph speed limit introduced in Portsmouth and Oxford. click to enlarge

The Press are running their own “on line” poll on the issue click here

An officer report which will be presented to a decision meeting scheduled for Friday 19th July (4:30pm at West Offices & open to the public) raises even more concerns about the effect that the change could have on accident numbers.

In two Cities (Portsmouth and Oxford), which “pioneered” wide area 20 mph speed limits, the total number of road accidents continue to increase (see left).

The trend in York – which mirrors the national trend – has been for accident levels to fall over the last 5 years.

Perhaps even more surprisingly, the report reveals that even those residents in Bristol who identified speed as a major concern believe – after a brief honeymoon period – that the problem had actually worsened since the City introduced the 20 mph limit.

60% thought that the new limits hadn’t made roads safer.

Post 20 mph speed limit Bristol residents views click to enlarge

There can really be no reason to press ahead with the new limits other than stubborn political dogma.

The £600,000 is desperately needed to improve safety on roads which do have high accident records. In particular, to improve enforcement of the existing 30 mph speed limit on some roads.

Residents have two final opportunities to persuade the Council to pull back from the brink.

Written representations can be emailed to the following address with a request that they be circulated at – or before – the decision meeting laura.bootland@york.gov.uk copied to cllr.dmerrett@york.gov.uk .

The representations should be made before 5:00pm on Wednesday 17th July

You can register to attend and speak at the meeting. You must register before 5:00pm on Thursday 18th July. Telephone Laura Bootland on (01904) 552062 to register

As Cllr Merrett has publicly said that he intends to press ahead with the new limits and overrule residents views, it is likely that opposition Councillors will “call in” any such decision for further consideration.

Wheels finally come off Toy Bus

Labour Councillor made a final decision on Wednesday to scrap the Toy Library Bus service.

It looks like its final visit to Kingsway West will take place on 15th July

As a partial replacement, some toys will be carried by the Mobile Library in future.

Usage of the Toy Bus had dropped following a decision by the Council to stop promoting its availability.

Nevertheless, several hundred residents responded to a public consultation exercise about its future.

The decision has been “called in” by Liberal Democrat Councillors and will be debated next week. Click here for details

More sponsors needed for York roundabouts

Click to enlarge

The Council is seeking planning permission to increase the number of roundabouts where commercial advertising boards are permitted.

The income helps to maintain a higher standard of care of floral arrangements than would otherwise be possible.

The scheme was started about 7 years go.

There are 13 sites available.

Rowntree Park birthday party

The annual summer fair will take place on Sat 13 July 2013, 2pm to 5pm and promises to be a great day out for all the family. The event is being organised by City of York Council’s ranger team and the Friends of Rowntree Park.

The Rowntree Company gave Rowntree Park as a gift to the people of the city 92 years ago on 16 July 1921 in memory of workers who fell during the war. Every summer a ‘birthday party’ is held to remember this event, and a cake will be cut during the celebrations in honour of the park and its origins.