Front Street is getting some resurfacing work on 14th, 15th and 21st August (technically large patching) soon in two parts over three separate days. There will be a road closure (rather than one way working with lights). Your ward councillors have been pressing for this work to take place for some time as the road surface has been very uneven.

However, officers have tried to limit the closures so access to Front Street is maintained for residents and businesses. A signed diversion will be in place during the hours of the works for through traffic.

Map of Front Street for road repairs

Over 800 residents have signed a Liberal Democrat petition calling for action to fix pavements in Front Street to help those who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters get to the shops.

Westfield Lib Dem Councillor Sue Hunter launched the petition in March after concerns about uneven and damaged paths on Front Street in Acomb. Cllr Hunter says there is a patchwork of different surfaces and levels with a number of broken flagstones and kerbstones. This is causing particular issues for elderly residents and those who use wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scoters.

Much of the pavement is privately owned, so the campaign has been calling on local business landlords to work alongside City of York Council. The petition is part of a wider campaign by Westfield Lib Dem councillors to support Front Street and help regenerate the area. 822 residents have signed and the petition will be presented to Full Council this Thursday by Cllr Hunter.

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

“I have been overwhelmed by the reaction to this petition and would like to thank all those who have signed. The response shows how big a problem the paths are and how vital it is to get something done. The response also reveals how much residents and local businesses care about Acomb and want Front Street to thrive.

“I have spoken to a number of local people who have suffered falls because of the poor condition of the paths and struggle with wheelchairs, mobility scooters or walking frames. I hope all groups can now work together to take action.

“Improving the paths is part of a wider campaign to support Front Street and encourage residents to shop locally. The work of the traders group Acomb Alive is continuing, including organising the successful Acomb Market last month. We are aiming to create a real buzz in the area to rebuild the community life that Acomb village once had and the area could have again.”

New children and family centres will be set-up to improve support across York under plans to be discussed by the Executive next week.

In recent years there has been more support for families in our area which don’t take place in Children’s Centres (such as groups for parents and toddlers at Foxwood Community Centre and Sanderson House). Also the council has since April taken on responsibility for health services to pre-school aged children, and so is making sure that these services are linked in to supporting local families.

The proposals could also help Westfield School to make more use of the buildings of the current Westfield Children’s Centre.

The Executive paper brought forward in March 2016 set out the principle of a wider remit for children’s services and early intervention, to be underpinned by the development of place based teams, working across York, to bring together a range of joined-up family services, in addition to the statutory requirements of traditional approaches.   The consultation programme, which ran from the 18^th of April to the 25^th of May 2016 asked residents for their input on how best to:

• Ensure support for all families;
• Do more when families need more;
• Make the best use of council buildings and staff.

The end result, following the input from almost 1,000 residents, will see three Local Area teams based at the council’s nine current children’s centres, but reaching beyond these centres to deliver services to families. Under the plans:

• All nine sites will be re-named and re-launched as children and family centres to enable more flexible and responsive provision (than statutorily is possible under their current name) to align with local community activity and use.
• The council will maintain 3 children and family centre resources as designated ‘children’s centres’ with the statutory responsibility for ensuring the delivery of integrated early childhood services across the city. These centres will be the main bases for the Local Area Teams.

The council’s provision for older children and adolescents will see a revised offer with Local Area Teams working alongside Adult Services and Community and Voluntary Sector partners. In order to ensure that this remains city-centre based, services including counselling will be relocated from Castlegate to Sycamore House. Capital investment is planned for the Clarence Street site as well as the principle of additional reinvestment of any capitol receipt from Castlegate.

Cllr. Ashley Mason, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Education, Children & Young People, said:

“After listening to the results of the public consultation, we think these changes will improve the range of support services on offer to children and families across York. The new centres will be able to offer a more joined-up approach and develop a wider range of family and community activity in each local area. We are committed to working with partners to ensure that all children and young people can get the best start in life and are able access to the support they need. This is why enhancing the 9 local centres and maintaining the city-centre offer for young people are both so important.”

The paper is due to come before the full Executive on the 14th of July.

There are a large number of activities going on at Acomb Explore for children this summer, and the Summer Challenge 2016, will be celebrating 100 years of Roald Dahl

https://www.exploreyork.org.uk/children/summer-reading-challenge/

Here are some of the events happening;

Residents living the former Lowfield School site had been interested to find out on 25th May that the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Trust had included the site as one of 12 potential locations for a new Mental Health Hospital for the city.

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14513393.The_TWELVE_sites_now_being_considered_for_York_s_new_mental_health_hospital/

As councillors had not been informed about this Cllr Andrew Waller wrote for further clarification from the Trust, and the response was given that “we would be happy to discuss this in more detail with your and your colleagues if the site does become a shortlisted option. We anticipate that the public consultation process will be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in July with a detailed consultation plan included as part of this process.”

The Westfield Ward Team will keep residents posted as there will separately be a report coming to the City of York Council Executive on 14th July with proposals for the site.

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