Concern has been raised by the Lib Dem Westfield Ward Council team that the figures for Job Seekers Allowance claimants in Westfield has increased for the second month running. Cllr Andrew Waller said “Action is needed to ensure that Westfield benefits from the national improvement in employment. Whilst overall unemployment in the city is lower than the regional fiures I will be pressing for action in our area.”

“The floods have had an impact on the local economy and I am pleased that the Government have at the last minute applied for European Union Solidarity Funding for the North of England, however, uncertainty over Britain’s membership of the EU is not going to help the situation.”

Figures for Job Seekers Allowance

Tim Farron with Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners outside Jorvik

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has visited the Jorvik Viking Centre and local businesses to hear how they are recovering from the Boxing Day floods.

Tim Farron MP was in York for the Lib Dem Spring Conference and was joined on the walkabout by the party’s leader in the city, Cllr Keith Aspden. Together they visited Jorvik, Fossgate, and local businesses Sharp Hairdressing and the Walmgate Ale House. Many local businesses are open again while Jorvik is taking exhibitions on tour around the city while the attraction is rebuilt ahead of a planned re-opening by Easter 2017.

Tim Farron MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, commented:

“I was delighted to visit the Jorvik Centre to hear about their plans to reopen. It is one of the many attractions that brings visitors to York from all over the world. I also visited local traders to hear how they are recovering and how York is open for business following the devastating flooding in December.”

Tim Farron also highlighted the decision by the Government to apply for EU funding after a campaign by the Lib Dems, saying “I am pleased that at the eleventh hour the Government gave in and eventually decided to apply for EU Solidarity Funding. The challenge now is to ensure that the money received from that fund actually goes to the affected areas rather than being held back by central government.”

We have been contacted by residents who have been concerned by activity of motorbikes in the field at the back of Westfield Place. The land is owned by the council and there is no authority for off-road motorcycling. Indeed the local councillor team has been working with council officers to improve the area, and to develop a habitat plan for Westfield Fen.

We have contacted the neighbourhood police team, and council officers, to see what steps can be taken to tackle this current issue We have been advised that a ‘Section 59’ notice can be served on a vehicle. If this is breached it means that the vehicle can be seized if this is witnessed by either a Police Officer or PCSO.

Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers will be visiting the site to look at potentially issuing a Community Protection Notice (CPN) warning.  If this warning is breached then they could serve a CPN, and if that is breached then we could issue a fixed penalty charge.

Please could residents keep reporting incidents to the Police, by calling 101, as they occur, and continue to keep Andrew informed of the situation so he can continue to work with officers for a solution (but it is important to keep reporting incidents as this will provide evidence for future legal steps).

Improving parking in St Stephens’ Road to help the number 24 bus and other vehicles get through has been an objective of your local Lib Dem councillor team. The latest scheme which will start in the week commencing 7th March is being funded via the Estate Improvement Grant which is overseen by the Cornlands and Lowfields Residents association on behalf of tenants (who voted on the proposals) and the estate manager. There had been a shortfall in funding which had been made up with Ward Committee funding as the ward councillors were keen to make sure that the improvements were able to take place.

The work is programmed to take 2 weeks, weather permitting and consists of excavating the verge laying new kerbs to the front of the footway and reconstruction the verge as carriageway in tarmac. The Contractor carrying out the work will be P&T Contracts who are responsible for safety and for providing access while the work is ongoing.    The contractor will be working between 7:30am and 4:00pm Monday to Fridays.

The Westfield Councillor Team will be working hard to get more funding into the area for improved parking.

Coming up at Sanderson House Community Garden. The Community Gardening Group will be putting on some Easter crafts on 15th March as part of their normal gardening session.

Events include Easter hangings and bunting as well as jam jars Easter creatures! 

Everyone welcome but please make sure children are accompanied and supervised. 

Home made preserves for sale. 
Refreshments available – donations welcome. 

The group be collecting suggested donations also for crafts made and taken away. All monies made go back into the community garden.

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Regular gardening sessions held at Sanderson House, Bramham Road, Chapelfields, YO26 5AR Tuesdays 4-6pm (c.Mar-Oct) and 3-5pm (c.Nov-Feb).

There’s always something going on at Acomb Explore. The following events are coming up which will make your visit even more enjoyable.  Don’t miss out.

As residents will be aware Hob Moor Oaks and Hob Moor Community Primary School are considering academy status. This is a serious step for the community and as your councillors  we feel that that the whole community should be involved in the consultation process. Nationally this process has been ongoing since Tony Blair set up the legislation for Academies in 2000, but York has so far largely continued operating the system of a ‘family of schools’ under the Local Authority (with each school having delegated budgets and decision making powers).  We understand that letters have been sent to parents but other residents may wish to give their views. We attach the information sheet which has been sent out to parents. There are sessions on  Thursday 3rd March a Roadshow at school 2:30pm-3:30pm and 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Drop in sessions;  Thursday 10th March 3:30pm – 4:30pm, and Friday 11th March 8am-9pm. The consultation period ends 18th March at 9:30am when all responses will be collated and sent to governors (send comments to consultation@hmcc.york.sch.uk)

York Liberal Democrats have been joined by Tom Brake MP to launch the party’s local campaign for Britain to stay in the EU.

The Lib Dem Foreign Affairs Spokesperson was joined yesterday by local party members and activists at a packed campaign launch at the Friends Meeting House on Friargate. The Lib Dems are backing ‘Remain’ ahead of the upcoming referendum on June 23^rd. They say the UK is stronger, more prosperous and secure in the EU and leaving would make it harder to tackle issues such as climate change and terrorism. Local Lib Dems are also highlighting the importance of the EU to York’s economy.

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, commented:

 “I am happy to visit York Liberal Democrats and assist in the launch of their campaign to stay in the EU. It is imperative that we continue to build support to remain in the EU. There is too much uncertainty and the decision to leave will have negative effects on our economy and security. I urge York residents to support the initiative to stay in the EU as it will keep prices low, and provide a better, safer environment in which to work and raise families.”

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of the York Liberal Democrats and Deputy Leader of City of York Council, commented:

“I am delighted to welcome Tom Brake to York to launch our local campaign for Britain to stay in the European Union. We know that around 350,000 jobs in Yorkshire depend upon trade links with the EU and business leaders such as the Chairman of Nestlé have said membership is crucial. It’s not just big firms that want to stay in the EU, but small and medium-sized local businesses recognise its importance as they can pick-up vital contracts across Europe. The EU is far from perfect but leaving would be leap in the dark for York’s economy.”

To find out more about the local Lib Dem campaign and to show your support go to: www.yorklibdems.org.uk/eupetition