Concerns raised over the 101 Service by Cllr Ashley Mason

On the panel, Commander Charlotte Bloxham (far left), Deputy Chief Constable Lisa Winward (left of centre), Cllr Ashley Mason (right of centre) and Superintendent Adam Thompson (right).

Concerns and confusion continue to persist regarding the performance of 101 service in York.

During a public meeting organised by Liberal Democrat Councillor Ashley Mason, residents were vocal in their displeasure over the quality of service they have received after calling 101, with many commenting that police responses were too slow or, in some instances, did not show up at all.

In response, Chief Inspector Charlotte Bloxham, head of the York Control Room, highlighted that November 2017 was the busiest month on record for 999 calls and due to the sheer volume of calls, this had an adverse effect on the force’s ability to respond to 101 calls.  However, the Police did apologise to residents who had not been provided the appropriate level of service and commitments were made to improve localised responses to 101 calls.

In addition, a number of residents underlined their unhappiness that charges were being applied to the national 101 service, despite residents being actively encouraged to log calls via 101.  Deputy Chief Constable, Lisa Winward, concurred that residents should not be charged for logging calls and agreed to take this issue to the National Police Board.

Cllr Ashley Mason said:

“The 101 service is extremely important for many local communities and it is crucial that it operates to a high standard  Calls to the 101 service must result in police action, where necessary, and I am pleased that the Police took onboard the concerns of residents and apologised to those who had been let down by the service.

Looking forward, it is encouraging that Deputy Chief Constable will take the issue of call charges to the Police’s National Board and commitments have been made to improve responses to 101 calls.  We must continue to scrutinise the performance of the 101 service, in order to identify where improvements are required.  Excellent standards must be consistently maintained to deliver the safety residents are entitled to.

 

Liberal Democrat Motion on Funding for Children & Young People Passed

The Liberal Democrat motion on funding for Children and Young People was passed at last night’s meeting of full Council.

The motion, proposed by Cllr Ashley Mason, asked Council to officially recognise the abysmal funding situation of schools in York, both historically and under the incoming schools National Funding Formula.

As a result of the successful motion, the Council will now make contact with the Secretary of State to insist she reconsider York’s position.  In the meantime, the Council will do everything it can to support schools during the difficult implantation period of the National funding Formula.

Furthermore, the motion also recognised the outstanding work of the City’s Youth Council and a commitment was given to explore further funding for the Youth Council.

The motion was passed, with amendments, by every City of York Councillor in attendance, apart from Conservative Councillors, who abstained from the vote and refused to support the sentiments of the motion.

Cllr Ashley Mason said:

“I am delighted that our motion received such enormous support last night, both from Councillors and members of the public.  The Council can begin in it’s efforts to lobby central Government and stand up for the City’s schools.

Schools are facing considerable financial challenges and under the new National Funding Formula, York will remain the worst funded local authority area in the Country.  This simply is not acceptable and more funding is needed to provide an inclusive education across the City.

It was also excellent to see the efforts staff and Youth Councillors formally recognised by Council. I very much look forward to working with the Executive in identifying financial opportunities to support the Youth Council further

It was extremely disappointing to see that the Conservative Party refused to vote and support this extremely important motion, but nonetheless, the Liberal Democrats will continue to make the case for York and for the City’s schools.

 

Dringhouses Councillor heads young people project

Ashley with Members of Youth Parliament and Youth Council Leads from across Yorkshire and the Humber

Liberal Democrat and City of York Councillor, Ashley Mason, is taking a regional role to champion the voice of over 500,000 young people in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Cllr Mason, who has a track record in supporting the York Youth Council, has been supporting the regional Youth Work Unit to ensure young people have access to information and resources, in order to enable them to have their say in local and regional decision-making.

Cllr Mason is now working to create an online digital platform for all young people to access. It will contain useful information on how decisions are made, which bodies are responsible for services and what the role is of their elected representatives.

On Saturday the 18th November, Councillor Mason met with 12 young people, from respective Local Authorities, to discuss the creation of a possible digital platform. The discussion included Members of Youth Parliament and Youth Council from: Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, York, Doncaster, North Yorkshire, Rotherham, Barnsley and North East Lincolnshire.

Cllr Ashley Mason said:

“It was great to discuss my plans with these highly engaged and passionate young people. It was abundantly clear that there is a lot of disparity across the 12 local authorities, in regards to engagement and access to information. This new resource will help any young person wanting to learn more about organisations such as Councils and CCGs and in turn, help them influence the decisions that affect young people in their communities.

Cllr Mason added “I have given up a lot of my time to this project work; championing the voices of young people is something I feel very passionate about. It is so encouraging to have the full support of the young people I have spoken too and to hear what impact this could have. I am also very grateful to the Regional Youth Work Unit, who are equally as enthusiastic about this project as I am,”

The website is intended to be launched at the Young Peoples Convention in Northallerton, January 2018. The project is currently being self-financed by Cllr Mason, but anyone interested in supporting or contributing to this valuable project should email cllr.amason@york.gov.uk

Liberal Democrats announce candidate line-up for Dringhouses & Woodthorpe

Local Liberal Democrats have selected the team of candidates who will contest the Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ward at May’s local elections.

Ann, Stephen and Ashley

Ann, Stephen and Ashley

Standing with Cllr Ann Reid, who has represented the ward in its various forms since 1986, will be Ashley Mason and Stephen Fenton, who hope to join Ann in representing the ward on City of York Council. Currently the ward is represented by one Lib Dem and two Labour councillors, one of who (Anna Semlyen) is not seeking re-election after just one term.

Cllr Ann Reid commented:

 “Ashley and Stephen live locally and so know the area well. They have the energy and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on the council. Local residents recognise the work that the local Lib Dem team does, and understand that with a larger team of councillors we can achieve even more.”

Ann Reid was first elected to York City Council in 1986 and represented Foxwood Ward until ward boundaries were changed in 2003, and has represented Dringhouses & Woodthorpe ever since. Ann was Lord Mayor in 1993/94 and was Executive Member for Planning and Transport from 2003 – 2008 and for Environmental Services from 2008 – 2011. Ann has been a member of the Planning Committee since 1988 and more recently chaired the Learning and Culture Scrutiny Committee. Ann has been a Governor of Woodthorpe Primary School since 1986 and is a Trustee of Mayfields Community Trust and a member of the Company of Cordwainers. Ann’s three children were all educated at Woodthorpe Primary and Oaklands School. 

Ashley Mason

Ashley Mason

Ashley Mason is 25 years old and has lived in York all of his life. His family home overlooks the Knavesmire. Ashley attended Knavesmire Primary, Millthorpe School and then York College. Ashley runs a successful small business in the city employing 40 staff. Before this he spent 5 years with North Yorkshire Police. As a young entrepreneur, Ashley wants to use his experience to help young people as they enter the world of work.

Stephen Fenton

Stephen Fenton

Stephen Fenton is 43 years old and has lived in Acomb since 2003 when he moved to the city to take up a new job. He currently works for the NHS. Stephen has been involved in a number of campaigns locally, including the fight to save the Beckfield Lane tip from closure. He has worked with Ann Reid over the past year on the campaign to protect York’s Green Belt from development. Stephen is a keen sportsman and is secretary of Poppleton tennis club, where he plays.