York’s Executive has said priorities in the next 12 months will include progressing the Local Plan, boosting recycling and supporting the launch of a new Welcome Ambassadors scheme.

The policies were unveiled as part of a revised 12 point plan (which can be downloaded here) and shows the progress which has been made since the Liberal Democrat-Conservative Executive took power last May and launched its original programme. Achievements highlighted include the re-introduction of Ward Committees, extra investment in frontline services, and new cross-party decision making.

The focus will remain on frontline services in the coming year with the roll-out of 94 extra bins, new LED streetlights and a £2.7million investment in road repairs. Work will continue on a new Local Plan, the One Planet York initiative and other major projects such as the Burnholme Health & Wellbeing Campus and York Central. The Executive will also work with Make It York and the new York BID on initiatives to support businesses and promote York, including new Welcome Ambassadors.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader of City of York Council, commented:

“This revised 12 point plan outlines the progress we have made against our original policy priorities from a year ago. This includes the re-introduction of Ward Committees with a £1million budget, the saving of Yearsley Swimming Pool, and extra investment in community-based mental health services.

“Looking ahead, the focus remains on the frontline services that matter to residents with road repairs, street lighting, gulley cleaning and bins all seeing major investment. Boosting recycling and taking forward the One Planet York initiative are major priorities while working with the BID we want to support the launch of a Welcome Ambassador scheme to offer visitors and residents a friendly welcome to the city-centre and help the early-evening economy.”

Lib Dem Councillors Sue Hunter, Sheena Jackson and Andrew Waller at Acomb Explore

Residents will be able to receive benefits advice and support at Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre from Monday 6th June.

The benefits advice service is moving from the Gateway Centre to Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre on Monday 6 June as part of work to make it even easier for residents to access benefits advice.

Residents will be able to drop-in at the weekly sessions between 9am and 3pm (closed between 12.30pm and 1pm) where a trained adviser will be on hand to support residents.

In addition to the weekly sessions all Explore Library Learning Centre staff will be trained to help residents access welfare benefits information in the coming months. This change means residents will be able to access support and signposting to the best available services from trained staff whilst also continuing to access the internet for free in Explores across the city.

The changes come ahead of the upcoming launch of a new online Customer Relationship Management system and personal council accounts for residents ‘My Account’, a smart and responsive online service which will enable residents to access council services anytime anywhere. The system will also provide webchat meaning residents across the city will have access to more advice and support online on a range of areas, including benefits.

Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health said:

“We are committed to ensuring residents can access support and advice on issues such as benefits. The weekly drop-in sessions allow local residents to speak face-to-face with a trained adviser and get the information they need.

“As well as these sessions continuing in the new location of Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre, Explore staff across the city are also being trained to help support and signpost people in respect of welfare benefits, providing greater support for residents across York.”

Full details can be found by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” website. Click here.

Ref No:      16/01175/FUL

Location:   165 Askham Lane York YO24 3JA

Proposal:   First floor side extension

Applicant:  Mrs Collinson

Contact      Mr Chris Allan

Consultation Expiry Date     13 June 2016

Case Officer:      Carolyn Howarth          Expected Decision Level     DEL

Plans to transfer £17,800 to the Acomb Alive group of local businesses from City of York Council will be considered next Tuesday (12th April).

The council had previously decided that £30,000 was to be spent on Front Street. Since then, £12,200 has been spent or earmarked for schemes such as installing planters, benches, Christmas tress and lights. The report proposes moving the remaining funding to Acomb Alive.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement, said:

“Moving the remaining resources closer to the Acomb Alive group will help to empower local businesses to improve Acomb Front Street and the surrounding areas. This will help local traders provide better services to residents in the community.”

Sue Hunter, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Westfield and Chair of Acomb Alive, said:

“As Chair of Acomb Alive, I am glad that funding is being considered to support our work with businesses. Our group want to promote the area to make it more attractive and encourage residents to shop locally, and investment to help us do this is very welcome. New environmental improvements such as planters and benches have already been added and now we hope to be able to achieve even more.

“I have also launched a campaign calling for improvements to the damaged and uneven sections of pavement on Front Street, which are a hazard particularly for elderly residents and those who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters. I have had lots of support from residents and business owners, and I hope that more local people will sign my petition and back the campaign.”

Sue’s petition on improving footpaths on Front Street can be found here: www.yorklibdems.org.uk/frontstreet

Following problems earlier in March Andrew had reported problems with a stream running from fields into Osprey Close before going down the drains in the road following heavy rainfall. This was on March 9th and a team was sent by the council to tackle the blocked ditch at the side of the field between that road and the Outer Ring Road. Checks were made after recent rainfall, however, the downpour today demonstrated another stream coming into the road. Again the road drains were able to cope. Close investigation (thankfully the wellies were not over-topped) showed that the drainage ditch was still blocked and so water was flowing towards houses rather than along the channels cut for it. we will follow this up as there are similar problems in nearby areas.

Garden waste collections start again this week across York, with fortnightly green bin collections through until the end of October.

To check the date of your collection please visit: www.york.gov.uk/refuselookup

Under Cllr Andrew Waller (pictured), the Liberal Democrat Executive Member for the Environment and Councillor for Westfield, the Executive has reversed plans to charge for the first green bin per house – built into the council budget by Labour in February 2015. Two green bin collections over the winter have also been reinstated – these winter collections were scrapped by Labour in April 2013.

This investment is part of a wider effort to make York the Greenest City in the North. The council’s long-term target is to boost the amount the city’s households recycle by 5,000 tonnes taking recycling rates to over 50% which would save £500,000 in Landfill Tax.

Recycling fell from 46% in 2011/12 to 44.5% in 2014/15 under the previous Labour administration and Landfill Tax increased to £4million.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Sue Hunter has launched a petition calling for improvements to pavements in the Front Street shopping area of Acomb.  

Damaged path on Front Street 1

The petition follows concerns about uneven and damaged paths on Front Street, particularly for elderly residents and those who use wheelchairs and mobility scoters. Cllr Hunter says over the years footpaths have been dug-up and re-laid and there is now a patchwork of different surfaces and levels with a number of broken flagstones and kerbstones.

Much of the pavement in the pedestrianised area is private, and the

Damaged path on Front Street 2

campaign is calling on local business landlords to do their bit. The petition is part of a wider campaign by Westfield Lib Dem councillors to support Front Street and help to regenerate Acomb.

Cllr Sue Hunter, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Westfield, commented:

“I launched this petition in response to concerns from local residents about the state of the paths around the shops on Front Street. At the moment, the pavements can be a real hazard for elderly residents and those who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters or walking frames.

“Despite only recently launching the petition, I have already received a lot of local support from residents and businesses owners. I hope that more local people will sign the petition and back the campaign in the coming weeks.

“The is part of a wider effort to promote Front Street and make it more attractive in order to encourage residents to shop locally. The work of the traders group Acomb Alive! is continuing as we try to regain the community life that Acomb village once had and the area could have again.”

If you want to find out more information on the campaign and sign the petition go to: www.yorklibdems.org.uk/frontstreet

James Blanchard

The Liberal Democrats have announced that James Blanchard will be the party’s candidate in this May’s North Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election.  

James joined the Lib Dems while studying at Leeds University and served as a councillor in Kirklees between 2011 and 2015. He currently lives in York and has worked for a number of major regional companies and organisations in senior communications and campaigning roles. James will fight the election for the York and North Yorkshire Liberal Democrats on 5^th May.  

James Blanchard commented:  

“I will work hard to restore people’s trust and confidence in the police. The current Police and Crime Commissioner has nearly doubled back-office staffing costs compared to the old Police Authority, and is spending a lower proportion of the force’s money on front-line policing than the national average. This has to change. I will protect front-line policing.  

“Despite Government promises to protect police funding, her colleague in the Conservative party – Chancellor George Osborne – is cutting national funding for policing by £160m. I will fight these cuts as they will inevitably lead to council tax rises, further station closures and cuts in officer numbers. 

“Crime is changing, with many criminals moving online. I will invest in training so that officers can continue to keep across new laws and crime-fighting techniques. How we organise our police to meet these challenges is key to the safety of everyone living in York and North Yorkshire.

James added: “We need our police to concentrate on measures that will address crime and the fear people have of crime. I will lead more community and restorative justice initiatives, that will allow victims of crime a say and bring criminals face to face with the consequences of their actions. Unlike the Conservatives and Labour, who make empty promises about being ‘tough on crime’, this is about truly being ‘tough on the causes of crime.”