The York Council continues to claim that the Susanna Gregory novel “Mystery at the Minster” “was specially commissioned for the Big City read“.

This seems unlikely as the book was first published in August 2011 and publicity material from that time made no reference to either the Big City Read or the York800 celebrations.

Nevertheless it is a good read and is deservedly recommended.

The Council says,

City of York Council’s Library and Archives service are inviting residents to meet the acclaimed author of a brand new book that aims to get the whole city reading together and talking about ‘Mystery in the Minster’.

‘Mystery in the Minster’ is a medieval-themed murder mystery and the seventeenth in Susanna’s bestselling series – of which over 100,000 copies have been sold. It features her regular character physician-cum-sleuth Matthew Bartholomew who finds himself in York. What starts as a dispute over land soon turns to murder…

This year’s chosen book is available from all of York’s 14 libraries and Explore centres from 26 July. What’s more, each book given away this year will contain a unique ‘bookcrossing number’ which readers can use on www.bookcrossing.com to enter comments on the book, as well as seeing where the book has been previously and keeping track of it once it’s been passed on.

Tickets to the launch event are free but booking is essential. Book online for all events at www.york.gov.uk/libraries or by calling into any library. Residents can also follow the events using twitter @yorklibrariesuk or facebook at www.facebook.com/ExploreYorkLibrariesandArchives.

The London Evening Standard reported this week a new poll under the headline Even Lib-Dems say Lords reform is not a priority. Buried two-thirds of the way down, however, was this interesting data:

Today’s poll found the idea of reforming the Lords, which still has 92 hereditary peers, is widely supported. Eight in 10 people back the idea of reform at some point in time.

It is highest among Lib-Dems, at 87 per cent, and lowest among Conservatives at 75 per cent. Only 16 per cent of the public thought the chamber should be left as it is.

Here’s what Lib Dem MP Tom Brake had to say about the finding:

“Clearly people’s priority now is employment and growth, but … if you ask people whether it’s right that people should make laws just because their grandfathers and fathers did, they are gobsmacked by the notion.”

City of York Council will be carrying out essential resurfacing works on Wigginton Road at the junction with Crichton Avenue this month.

The works will start at 6pm on Monday 23 July to be completed by 11pm on Friday 3 August, weather permitting. The works will take place weekday evenings only, under a full road closure between 6pm and 11pm.

A signed diversion route, suitable for all vehicles, will operate inbound from the A1237 Outer Ring Road via the A19 Shipton Road and outbound via Haxby Road to the A1237 Outer Ring Road.

Outside of the working hours, the road will be open as normal. The road closure will be supervised at each end to prevent unauthorised access. Access for pedestrians and emergency services will be maintained at all times. Cyclists will be instructed to dismount and use adjacent footways.

The contractor carrying out the works will be City of York Council Highways Maintenance, who will be responsible for public safety. As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience, but everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum.

The York Council will be responding this week to a proposal that (nationally) there would be no restriction on the number of taxi licenses that could be issued. The so called “deregulation” is one of the proposals of a Law Commission report which is currently subject to consultation.

There is a concern that deregulation could lead to overcrowding at City centre taxi ranks.

The Councils proposed response can be viewed here
http://tinyurl.com/Taxi-changes-York

On Saturday 21st July the ‘Friends of York Walls’ are holding a Tofts Fair around Lower Priory Street, just inside the walls near to the Victoria Bar. With help from the local Residents Association and the support of City of York Council, this is part of the City’s 800th Charter Year celebrations.

Activities planned include:
Music & dance, Giant games, Miniature train rides, Bouncy castle, Dog show, Halfords bike display & free bike safety checks, Charity stalls, Climbing wall, Face painter, Ice cream refreshments & BBQ, Punch and Judy, Local history displays, Free fruit for the children, Sponsor a Stone and History of the Walls display by FYW, etc..

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A member of international percussion and performance group STOMP, a local breakdance group and a tower of instruments made from recycled junk, have been brought together by City of York Council in a first for the Festival of the Rivers on the banks of the River Ouse.

This exciting new ensemble, known as Junkestra, will have a rhythm rockers’ showdown on Sunday 22 July from 1-5pm at the riverside Tower Gardens, York, as part of the city’s seventh, annual celebration of its rivers.

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City of York Council is inviting residents to paint their personal stories of the city on a massive artwork as part of this summer’s Big City Read celebrations and York Stories 2012 project.

The aim to create a frieze called the Bayers Tapestry which, using acrylic paint on external plywood, will weave together the tales of York residents. To be displayed around the city, it will be a 21st century nod to the eleventh century Bayeux Tapestry which continues to recount the stories surrounding the Norman Conquest.

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One month to York hosting region’s Paralympic Flame

A gold medal-winning disabled York climber will be among City of York Council’s welcoming party which will divide Yorkshire’s Paralympic Flame for the region’s five events at York on 24 August.

The York High School pupil earned the highest number of nominations to carry York’s Paralympic Flame. Sianagh, from Acomb, learned to climb at Energise Leisure Centre where she’s just completed a fortnight’s work experience.

Sianagh said: “I cannot believe I’ve got gold again: that’s two gold and a silver this year and it feels amazing. My ultimate goal is to compete at Paralympic level, so that’s where I’m aiming!” Meanwhile she hopes to do well in the 2013 Parclimbing Series and be selected for the world championships.

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Strong partnership working ensures North Yorkshire remains the safest place in England

A relentless pursuit of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, supporting victims in the fight for justice and delivering a high quality of service.

This is North Yorkshire Police’s pledge to residents across the county and the City of York.

This effort by the force, together with our partner agencies, is reflected in the national figures released by the Home Office today (Thursday 19 July 2012) which showed that overall crime had reduced by 9% in the 12 months up to March 2012 with a total of 38,716 crimes

To put it in real terms, this equates to 3,750 fewer people and their families in North Yorkshire and the City of York having to face the misery of being a victim of crime.

More up-to-date recorded figures for the period April to July 2012 – the first quarter of the current financial year – show a 13% reduction in overall crime or 1,311 fewer victims in comparison to the same period in 2011.

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Labour officials have admitted that they did not consult anyone regarding which litter bins to remove before they implemented their reduction plans a month ago. Now litter is on the increase and the remaining bins are often full to overflowing.

At the Council meeting last week the “Cabinet” member with responsibility for the shambles claimed – in reply to a tabled question – that litter “audits” were being carried out.
He said;
Since the removal of approximately 350 bins during June approximately some 60 enquiries from residents and Elected Members have been received. These enquiries relate to approximately 34 bins locations and 6 general enquiries.
Currently Officers are in the process of undertaking litter audits of locations where bins were removed, as part of the normal NI195 audits. Results of these audits to date are:
74 locations audited
• 23 = B+
• 37 = B
• 13 = B-
• 1 = C
with, on a scale of A-D, A-B being acceptable and below B being unacceptable i.e. only 14 locations were found to be of an unacceptable standard.
Discussions and audits have so far resulted in the re-siting of 5 bins of those remaining and the re-instatement of 5 bins, which had been removed.

You can sign a petition asking for the litter bins to be reinstated here.
http://yorklibdems.org.uk/en/petition/sign-our-petition-against-bin-cuts-in-york

The funds for reinstating the litter bins would come from cutting down on the number of “Cabinet” posts carried by the Council.