Inconsistent ward funding decisions revealed

Local Lib Dem councillor Stephen Fenton has expressed concern about inconsistencies in how wards are being permitted to spend limited ward funding, after he was refused permission to have repairs made to a damaged community noticeboard.

The perspex cover of the community noticeboard on Moorcroft Road has been smashed

Shortly after coming into power, York’s new Labour administration froze the ward funding that had been allocated in the 2023/24 budget by the then Lib Dem / Green administration. Three-member wards such as Dringhouses & Woodthorpe were permitted to spend £2,393 but it was made clear that this could only be spent on items such as summer holiday activities for children or schemes to support residents suffering from social isolation. Dringhouses & Woodthorpe councillors therefore invested the limited funds available on the popular free kickabout sessions run by York City FC Foundation.

It has become apparent however that the rules around how this funding can be spent have not been consistently applied. Labour-held Micklegate ward, for example, was allowed to spend £175 on repairing a damaged community noticeboard on Scarcroft Green.

When Cllr Fenton sought permission for similar repairs to be made to the damaged community noticeboard in Woodthorpe, the request was turned down by council officers.

Cllr Fenton has called on the Labour administration to reverse the ban on ward spending so that it can be invested in local priorities. He said “It is deeply ironic that the poster advertising the free summer holiday activities will soon be illegible due to the rain pouring in through the shattered perspex which the council refuses to repair.

“Labour say that they are going to make some more ward funding available, but we have no idea how much or when. It’s a complete shambles. If we had known that we could have kept back some of the £2,393 for emergency repairs, we would have done so.

“Given the continued ban on ward spending, I’ll fund the repairs to the Moorcroft Road noticeboard out of my own pocket.”

Latest planning applications for 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

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Site To The Rear Of 5 Cherry Lane York

Reserved matters application for access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the erection of 1no. detached dwelling – resubmission

Ref. No: 23/01323/REM 

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34 Hunters Way York YO24 1JJ

Installation of air source heat pump in rear garden

Ref. No: 23/01306/FUL 

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Representations can be made in support of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council does not routinely consult neighbours by letter when an application is received

Travellers arrive on playing fields

A large group of travellers have again set up camp on playing fields to the south of York College. It seems that they gained access through the gate next to the changing room block on Sim Balk Lane.

The Police and the council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement team have been made aware so that the necessary action can be taken.

A similar incursion in May 2022 resulted in a large quantity of cut vegetation being flytipped in a nearby nature reserve.

Dringhouses Council House improvements – New Letter Is Released

In July 2022, the tenants of Dringhouses Council homes were invited to an exhibition at the Foxwood Community Centre to select from a range of products and materials to modernise their homes. But despite being promised that works would begin within the 2022/23 financial year, these works have unfortunately not yet occurred.

However, after local councillor Stephen Fenton requested a copy of the letter to be sent to tenants on this matter, a letter updating residents on the modernisation programme has now been issued. This letter can be seen below:

(Tenant’s name)

First of all, can I apologise to you for any delay you have experienced with your home’s modernisation.

Over these past few months, we have been working with a number of residents to redesign our Home Improvements programme – previously known as Tenants’ Choice. This includes our aim to replace all kitchens and bathrooms before they are 30 years old.

This year, our Home Improvements programme will be updating homes which we couldn’t work on during the Covid pandemic and homes in some parts of Dringhouses, which is the next area due for completion.

New Contractors have been appointed to carry out the programme of work, which will start this summer. Our contractors are BM Services and Urban Construction Interiors, both local to York.

As soon as we’re able to confirm dates and which homes will be updated, we will let you know when we can survey your home, discuss your choices, and start work.

Meanwhile, if you have any urgent repairs to the areas of your home identified for replacement, please report them by calling our Housing Repairs phone line, open 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, on 01904 551550 (option 4, option 1).

If you have any questions about this letter or about the Home Modernisation programme, please email us on capitalprojectsteam@york.gov.uk or call our repairs service who will arrange for a call back by a member of the team to answer your questions

Kind regards,

John Hughes- Investment Manager

Mr Hughes confirmed in an e-mail to Cllr Fenton that “Works will commence this year on Dringhouses with the first 50 properties to be issued to the contractor in the coming weeks. Works will commence in quarter 3 (September onwards) with hopefully at least another 25 properties to completed this year but this will depend on the cost of completing the first 50.”

To gain some more background information on this matter, visit this link to a previous article posted on our website.

Dringhouses Sports And Social Club Open Their New Accessible Toilet in Style

Cllr Stephen Fenton at the Dringhouses Sports and Social Club’s weekly musical afternoon

On 20th July the Dringhouses Sports and Social Club held a ‘grand opening’ for their new accessible toilet at the weekly musical afternoon.

These weekly sessions are well-loved by the local community, particularly older people living alone, with the room packed full. The sessions used to take place at the nearby Cross Keys pub but moved into the larger venue of the Dringhouses Sports and Social Club which can accommodate more attendees.

Some residents with a disability were unable to attend these sessions due to there being no accessible toilet. So a fundraising campaign was launched, and with the help of a grant from the Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Ward Committee, the local building firm Kitson Builders constructed the new facility.

Before the toilet was officially opened, the Vintage Rhythms Dance Band serenaded the audience with pitch-perfect trombones and trumpets playing songs of yesteryear.

During the interval – and to the audience’s surprise – a toilet seat covered with paper was brought out onto the stage. It was held aloft by Cllr Stephen Fenton and music session organiser and key fundraiser Ken Waller. After a 5 second countdown, a trombone was thrust through the toilet seat and let out a triumphant toot of success as the audience applauded.

Click here to watch the exciting moment for yourself!

– Cllr Stephen Fenton and Ken Waller hold the ceremonial toilet seat

The new accessible toilet

Cllr Stephen Fenton said “It’s fantastic that ward funding has been able to help deliver this new facility which makes this community venue more accessible. The weekly music sessions provide a great opportunity for people who are lonely or isolated to get out and interact and form new friendship groups. I’d like to thank the volunteers who organise these sessions and have led the fundraising efforts which have enabled these improvements to happen.

“My pleasure at this achievement is tempered by the uncertainty that hangs over the future of ward funding, after the new Labour council administration announced that they would be making changes to how ward funding works. No details have been provided as yet, and it would be a real shame if similar schemes could not be supported in future.”

Many thanks to Kitson builders who constructed the new accessible toilet as well as Vintage Rhythms Dance Band and the other bands for entertaining the local community with regular music sessions.

Top award for York Community Woodland

Councillor Paula Widdowson planting a tree

Recently at the Great Yorkshire Show, it was announced that the York Community Woodland had won the prestigious John Boddy Award for Forestry.

The York Community Woodland stretches over an 195 acre plot of land in the west of York and recently in February had its 85,000th tree be planted, marking a huge milestone for the young forest. This picturesque forest will not only provide a wonderful area for residents of York to have a relaxing stroll in, it also increases the biodiversity of the area and sustains threatened wildlife.

The idea for this woodland originally came from York’s previous Liberal Democrat administration as a sign of our commitment to combat climate change realise our net zero ambitions.

Councillor Paula Widdowson said “The new community woodland is a flagship scheme in our efforts to make York an even greener and cleaner city for generations to come.”

“As well as providing health and wellbeing benefits to the community, this woodland will create valuable habitats for wildlife and store carbon in the trees we grow.”

“This fantastic award is recognition for all the hard work done by volunteers, officers and everyone else who has helped to bring this project to fruition.”

Join The Lord Mayor And Sheriff At The Assize Of Ale

F’r yet anoth’r year, the hist’ric tradition of the assize of ale shall beest taking lodging in y’rk.

Or as us modern folks say, for yet another year, the historic tradition of the Assize Of Ale will be taking place in York. The excitement will begin at the York Mansion House and will make its way round the most gallant public houses of York whilst testing the best beverages to make sure that they are of the upmost quality. All are welcome, especially those attending in the dress of the medieval fashion.

This famous tradition dates back to when the Sheriff of York and Lord Mayor would call on their sergeants to test the quality of ale around York so that it was of enough quality to be served to the people of York. Any sergeant whom refused this offer would be fined or sent to the pillories which is why in the modern day, those who attend provide donations to local charities, with often larger sums being given due to how merry the attendees are, as well as some being punished in the pillories with soggy sponges.

Throughout the day, there will also be a birds of prey display for those who are brave enough to face the talons of the falcon. For others who are are Bake-Off fans, the thrilling best bread competition will take place at 1pm, with York’s top bakers fighting for the approval of the Sheriff! For all nobles and knights, the medieval feast will start at 5:30pm in York Brew with the small fee of either 500 shillings, 32 horses or £25. Pre-booking is suggested so as to prevent the Sheriff’s guards from denying you entry. To do this, simply follow this link to secure your place at the feast.

Therefore, to reenact this historic tradition once more, join the Lord Mayor Chris Cullwick and the Sheriff Sue Hunter for the most cheery afternoon of the year!

Hob Moor History Walk is Back!

Once again, Elizabeth Smith, armed with her historical knowledge, will be providing an hour long Hob Moor History walk. No advance booking needed and attendance is open to all. The walk shines a light on the often dark history of Hob Moor with plagued corpses and the coffins of knights being only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this ancient site. So join Elizabeth at 2:30 on the 6th of August at Hob Stone on Little Hob Moor for an enlightening afternoon.

The Hob Moor Wildflower Walk Returns!

If you want a relaxing and peaceful insight into the beautiful landscape of Hob Moor then this is the walk for you! Elizabeth Smith is leading a wildflower walk on the 23rd of July which is open to all. The walk is completely free with no advance booking needed and will last for approximately 1 hour. The walk will start from the Hob Stone on Little Hob Moor, from where you will be shown around the best wildflower hotspots of Hob Moor. So join Elizabeth at 2:30pm at the Hob Stone on Little Hob Moor for an enjoyable stroll.

Summer Reading Activities at Dringhouses Library!

Throughout the holidays, there are many activities at Dringhouses library to keep your children entertained and interested in reading. Throughout the summer, you can enter the summer reading challenge where for free you can read your way to victory by completing puzzles and games with prizes along the way!

As well as this, you can join in with fun-filled reading activities from 11:30am to 1pm on 29th July to take part in a range of games and puzzles.

As a one off, Lucy Monkman will be hosting an upcycling workshop at Dringhouses Library on the 17th of August at 2:30 pm so that you can learn to reduce waste and make old objects seem brand new!

In addition to these sessions, the Dringhouses library is also hosting a Lego club and under 5s story time every week. You can join the Lego club every Tuesday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm and the under 5s story time on every Thursday and Saturday from 11am to 11:30am.

All of these exciting events are completely free and do not need to be booked so simply turn up and enjoy hours of fun!