City of York Council in partnership with York College, Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and York Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is running a week-long series of workshops to encourage residents to ‘get online’ this autumn.

The week offers residents an extra opportunity to discover the wealth of information, services and resources that can be found online through a full programme of events held during the week.

On Monday 15 October, beginners can take their first steps to getting online with a drop-in session at York Explore when they can try out computers, learn about computer safety and chat to tutors about what to do next.

On Wednesday 17 October will be held a ‘From Passport to Planning: make life easier and avoid queues’, workshop at York Explore all about how the internet can make life simpler. Residents can learn about online council services and how they can save time; from registering to get council tax bills online, checking when their bin collections are due and giving feedback on a planning application, as well as useful websites including where they can apply for a passport or car tax and check out their pension age.

The council’s growing portfolio of online services offer residents more choice in how they do businesses with the authority, this Its suite of ‘Do it online’ services is at www.york.gov.uk and give fast, round-the-clock access to people who want to make applications, book or find services, have their say on consultations, make payments to the council or report matters like graffiti or fly-tipping.

Other workshops include online job searching, social media for beginners, a games day and one called ‘Get to know what your computer/gadget can do’.

All sessions are free, for a full programme of all the events visit http://www.york.gov.uk/content/leisure/libraries/Get_involved/gow_2012.pdf

The decision not to fill 40% of York’s “self help” salt bins this winter will be under scrutiny at a meeting being held on 15th October.

Residents can register to speak at the meeting full details of which can be found here http://tinyurl.com/Salt-bin-appeal

The controversial decision – taken by a rookie Labour Councillor – has been “called in” for review by LibDem Councillors.

They argue that the decision should be changed because:

• The plans would see overall salt bin provision in York fall from around 369 full bins to around 199. In a bad winter this cut will have a significant and detrimental impact.

• The report states that a thorough review of salt bin locations will be undertaken for the winter of 2013/14. It therefore seems irrational to withdraw the bin provision before this review has taken place and without thoroughly consulting residents or local councillors. The mistakes made over the removal of 1-in-4 of York’s dog and litter bins seem to be being repeated.

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Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker has backed calls for the York Council and local bus operators to publish details of the reliability being achieved on bus services.

In a letter to Steve Galloway the Minister says, “Surveys have shown that punctuality and reliability are the primary concerns of actual and potential bus users. … It is essential for passengers that the bus turns up, is reasonably on time and arrives at its destination when expected…..We expect Local Authorities to be accountable locally in part through publishing data sets which can be benchmarked”

Letter page 1 clcik to enlarge

Letter page 2 click to enlarge

The response comes following concerns that the York Council is so far refusing to publish the details that it holds on local bus service reliability.

Nor do most local bus operators publish service punctuality data on their web sites as a matter of routine.

We are absolutely clear that passengers should be given the information that the council holds on its contracted services and that it should release, each month, the “mystery traveller” information that it gathers on reliability.

Bus operators also should release the information which they gather from their GPS monitoring systems.

Bus service reliability in York click to enlarge

Bus service waiting time in York click to enlarge

The data already collected by the DfT (see left) actually suggests that – up to March 2012 – bus reliability in York was gradually improving. What has happened since then is a mystery to passengers.

Exceptional circumstances such as the recent floods will, of course, affect services; but that is no reason for secrecy.

Meanwhile a report which was to have included a bus improvement study for the City was quietly removed from the agenda of a Council “decision” meeting which was scheduled for 27th September.

With expenditure of over £200,000 of taxpayers money already committed to introducing a quality bus contract system into the City, passengers will now be wondering when they will see any improvements in return for their investment?

The issue of bus reliability is likely to be raised at the York Council meeting next Thursday by LibDem transport spokesperson Ann Reid.

In the meantime we understand that some passengers are hoping to set up a new bus service watchdog group in the City. More details will be provided when we get them.

NB. First are introducing new bus timetables from Sunday. See http://tinyurl.com/Bus-changes-York-7th-Oct-12

Home security – self assessment click here http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/homesecurityassessment

Residents in York are broadly positive about the city in terms of public safety and their attitudes towards the police, according to a new survey.

The survey gave residents the opportunity to express their views on York and their local areas in terms of crime, anti-social behaviour and policing.

Academics at the York Management School at the University of York, led by Professor Kiran Fernandes, devised and delivered the survey alongside City of York Council with the support of North Yorkshire Police and Safer York Partnership.

The survey gathered the views of over 2,400 residents and former residents of York between April and June this year. It revealed that three-quarters of respondents felt that York is a safe place overall and more than 90 per cent of respondents indicated they were satisfied with their local area as a place in which to live.

Approximately 70 per cent of respondents had confidence in the police in York and over 80 per cent felt that they could rely on them to treat them with respect. Most also had positive views about the levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in their areas with the issue of rubbish or litter generally being the biggest cause for concern.

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City of York Council has improved the way it manages electronic procurement, by enabling suppliers to update their account details at a click of a button.

The council has changed its supplier management system to Supplierforce, which enables suppliers to register themselves on the system, manage their records and keep documents such as insurance and accounts up-to-date on the system..

The aim of the updated system is to be the first point of reference for suppliers when seeking quotation and tenders, whilst reducing duplication when undertaking future procurement projects to ensure the process of doing business with the council is as efficient as possible.

Letters and emails have been sent to all of the council’s existing suppliers explaining the changes to the new web-based supplier management system.

It has become clear how the York Council’s controversial £1 million “Delivery and Innovation fund” is being spent. Allocations, of under £100,000, from this fund are made by the Leader of the Council.
Contrary to expectations, most of the money has been allocated to “beer and skittles” style leisure events*.

There is a history going back a couple of centuries of unscrupulous politicians using various transient events to draw the attention of voters from more pressing matters. Cynics called it a “beer and skittles” tactic.

The tradition seems to be alive and well in York.

click to enlarge

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Liberal Democrats will next week formally call on Labour to rule out charging for green bin waste collections after over 1,000 residents came out against the plans.

In July it was revealed that Labour run City of York Council was considering introducing a “subscription-based service” and seasonal garden waste collections in a bid to make budget savings. After the resignation of Cllr Sandy Fraser, then Cabinet Member for Environment Services, Labour’s plans were delayed with public consultation now not due to begin until next year.

However, at next week’s Full Council meeting the Liberal Democrats will call on Labour’s new Cabinet Member, Cllr David Levene, to abandon the plans. The Lib Dem petition against charging has already been signed by 1,173 residents. The Group has also raised concerns that charging will lead to a fall in recycling and a rise in landfill tax for the council. Last month, it was revealed that due to missed recycling targets, the Council will pay £3.3 million in landfill tax this year, an increase of nearly £400,000 on last year. A fall in green waste recycling would make the problem worse.

Councillor Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environmental Services, commented:

“After months of uncertainty we are calling on Labour to formally abandon the plans to charge for the green bin service. The response from the public has been overwhelming this summer with 1,173 residents so far having signed a petition against the plans. Residents are angry that this frontline service is under threat and they see that this is just another way of getting money out of people for a service that is not changing or improving.

“Without public support these plans are unworkable and could lead to the situation that Labour had in Newcastle, where they introduced charging and over 40,000 residents returned their bins. A similar reaction in York would have a huge impact on recycling rates and could lead to a further rise in the landfill tax the Council is paying. Already, after the closure of the Beckfield Lane site, landfill tax is set to rise by £400,000 this year. A fall in garden waste being recycled will make the problem worse and is likely to cancel out any money raised through charging.

“It is time for Labour to cut their losses and stop spending any more money preparing these unpopular and ill-thought through proposals.”

NB Councillor Ann Reid will ask the Labour Cabinet Member for Environmental Services the following question at next Thursday’s Full Council meeting: “Given the delays in consultation, the threat of a rise in landfill tax charge, and the public opposition, will the Cabinet Member formally rule out introducing charging for the green bin service?”

1173 residents have so far signed a petition against Labour’s plans to introduce charging for green bins.

City of York Council will carry out essential surfacing works throughout parts of the city next week.

Starting on Monday 8 October, the council will carry out works to Micro Asphalt the following roads, which will provide a new skid resistant overlay.

• B1228 Main Street, Elvington

• Netherwindings and West Nooks (Part), Haxby

• Melcombe Avenue, Chipstead Walk and Portisham Place, Strensall

• The Village/Sandy Lane, Stockton on the Forest

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Tech support scams

Cybercriminals might call you on the telephone and claim to be from companies such as Microsoft.

They might offer to help solve your computer problems or sell you a software license.

However, once they have access to your computer, they can do the following:
•Trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. They might also then charge you to remove this software.
•Take control of your computer remotely and adjust settings to leave your computer vulnerable.
•Request credit card information so they can bill you for phony services.
•Direct you to fraudulent websites and ask you to enter credit card and other personal or financial information there.

Neither Microsoft nor their partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.

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