Focus On Fishergate

Launch of Local Manifesto

2011-04-09T15:34:00.000-07:00

We launched our manifesto for the upcoming local elections on 5th May. You can download a copy from here. You can find out more about some of the city wide action we have taken over the past 8 year by clicking here.

There will of course be plenty of ward issues and campaigns on top of the city wide manifesto and as usual you can keep up to date with these in Focus and through this website.

Don’t forget to register to vote!

2011-03-02T02:46:00.001-08:00

We are less than 10 weeks away from local council elections which are due to be held on Thursday the 5^th of May. Now is the time to check you are registered to vote. If you have any doubts contact the council here to check you are on the electoral roll. OR if you are not registered, download and send off this form to the City of York Council. The closing date to guarantee you are on the electoral register is coming up fast (the 11^th of April) so don’t delay.

Free Compost Giveaway

2011-02-28T05:47:00.000-08:00

There will be free compost giveaways going ahead this year on the first Sunday of every month between March and October, in partnership with Yorwaste Ltd. (see the dates below for the giveaways):

Sunday 6th March
Sunday 3rd April
Sunday 1st May
Sunday 5th June
Sunday 3rd July
Sunday 7th August
Sunday 4th September
Sunday 2nd October

This compost has been produced from the green recycling that York residents put out. This is great news, espeically if you own an allotment in Fishergate as this is an entirely free resource.

Compost can be collected from Harewood Whin, Tinker Lane (off Wetherby Road) between 9.30am and 2.30pm. Residents must bring along a suitable bag or container to put the compost into and a shovel, as the compost is not bagged. The advice is to visit the site as early as possible as there is a limited quantity of compost and it will go on a first come, first served basis.

The hope is that the giveaways will be as popular as last year when it was estimated that they gave away over 1,600 tonnes of compost. This year the giveaways are starting earlier in the year due to popular demand.

Call For Long Term Solution To Parking Problems

2011-02-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

Parking problems have been on the increase, partly due to the growing number of cars associated with the University. Steps are being taken to address some of the problems, but a more long term solution is needed.
The Council has recently agreed to put double yellow lines along University Road and Heslington Lane, but the problems won’t stop here. Unless the University and the Council work together to come up with a long term solution to parking around the University, we are sitting on a parking time bomb.
We hope that by working together now as a Fishergate community we will be able to be able to come up with a solution that works for most residents in the area.
The recent proposals to install double yellow lines on University Road and Heslington Lane are welcome but will likely move the problem elsewhere. We need to work together as a Fishergate community to move to a more sustainable, long term solution to the issue.
There are a number of potential options that could be explored, including residents parking zones, yellow lines, good neighbourhood agreements, changes to parking fees at the University or increasing the number of places to park on campus.
A copy of the report on parking issues that Councillor Keith Aspden presented to a recent council meeting can be downloaded from here.

Lib Dem Budget Safeguards Frontline Youth Services

2011-02-21T08:10:00.000-08:00

Liberal Democrat Councillors have approved an amendment to the Council’s budget that will mean front line youth services in the city are protected from cuts, despite the difficult budget situation.

The Council’s Executive agreed to reduce cuts to the youth service budget by £100,000, meaning that the savings required can be accommodated through management changes and not reductions to front line projects.

We have been very keen to emphasise the importance of having universal youth service provision available, alongside the more targeted work. There had been some concern locally that youth work services may be withdrawn from Fulford youth centre, we are pleased to say that the Lib Dem amendment means youth provision will remain at Fulford youth centre.

The funding money will also ensure the future of projects including the Urbie bus, Zoo Skatepark and the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Heslington Lane Planning Refusal Welcomed

2011-02-14T06:01:00.000-08:00

The East Area Planning Committee has refused planning permission for a two storey bungalow on Heslington Lane, Fulford.
Local Liberal Democrat councillor Keith Aspden had called the application in to the committee following concerns from local residents that the plans would result in overdevelopment of the local streets and area, as it would affect both Heslington Lane and Heath Moor Drive.

The way the Heath Moor Drive estate was designed meant any changes the design of the homes would harm the look of the area. Heslington Lane and Heath Moore Drive are designed with a symmetrical layout of bungalows and houses, these proposals were unsympathetic to neighbouring properties and would damage the street scene.

A similar application had been refused several years ago. We are pleased that the committee’s decision is consistent with previous decisions. Approval could have set a precedent that would lead to further bungalows being developed in a way not in keeping with the area.

The development would also have seen the new two storey bungalow overlook the single storey bungalow to the rear and residents had raised concerns that they would lose privacy if the plans were approved.
We are pleased that the committee has refused permission for this proposal and we are sure residents will be glad to hear of the decision.

Council Teams Up With First York For Low Emissions Bus Trials

2010-12-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

City of York Council has teamed up with First York to run a trial of new, low emissions buses in the city as part of an attempt to cut down on CO2 emissions and improve air quality.

The buses will be trialled on the Designer Outlet Park and Ride route for six months from early December and bus users will be urged to give their feedback on their experience of the new buses.

During the trial different types of vehicles will be tested, including electric and hybrid vehicles.

The electric buses can be charged from mains electricity in six hours and emits no CO2 emissions while in use. Even when emissions from generating the electricity to charge the vehicle are taken into account, the buses still emit 50% less CO2 than comparable diesel buses.

The hybrid vehicles use technology to recover energy generated while braking to charge an electric motor and also have a diesel engine for use when the electric motor is low on power. These vehicles emit 40% less CO2 than normal diesel buses.

Fishergate Liberal Democrat campaigner, James Whiteside, said, “It is great to see First York paving the way for a low carbon transport system of the future. I’m sure over the next decade these buses will become common place, and it really shows York’s dedication to helping the environment that we were one of the first cities to try them out.”

As the buses are being trialled on the Designer Outlet route they will pass through Fishergate.

Fellow Fishergate Liberal Democrat campaigner, Dean Knapper, also welcomed the trial. He said, "Air Quality in Fishergate is a concern for local residents so I am sure they will be pleased to see practical steps being taken to look for a solution. We would very much welcome residents’ comments on the buses. Any suggestions will influence the development of a low carbon/low emission transport system in the City."

"We look forward to finding out the results of the trial and I would encourage residents and bus users to feed back their thoughts on the new buses."

Barbican Centre to Reopen

2010-11-26T05:37:00.000-08:00

City of York Council and SMG Europe have reached agreement on the final details of the contract to take over the running of the Barbican and the contract is expected to be formally signed in the next few days.

The agreement means details of the deal which were previously confidential due to procurement rules can now be released.

The deal will see £2m invested in improving the building and facilities and setting up the business to get the centre ready for reopening in Spring next year.

City of York Council will spend £1m to bring it up to the required standards to allow the building to be used by the public. This spending will be repaid by SMG Europe through the rent on the building over the 30 year agreement.

As the Barbican is established the Council will receive an annual income on top of rent equivalent of 1% of turnover.

SMG Europe will also spend £1m on improvements and set up costs.

The deal will run for 30 years, after which SMG Europe can either renew on the existing terms, and continue to run the Auditorium, or hand the refurbished building back to the Council.

The reopened Barbican could host as many as 350 events a year under the deal, compared to only around 70 a year when the centre was run by the Council.

Tickets for shows at the reopened Barbican will go on sale in January from the Box Office.

SMG Europe also plan to launch the website for the centre in Spring, along with a city centre information centre to promote the venue.

Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Social Inclusion said he was pleased agreement had been reached. He said, "These have been complex negotiations to complete the final details of the deal. I am pleased that we have now reached agreement with SMG Europe and that we can now move forward with reopening the Barbican."

"The deal provides good value for money for the city. This proposal not only eradicates the previous subsidy of around £730,000 a year but offers the real possibility of an annual income in the form of a percentage share of turnover."

"Things can now begin to move forward quite quickly, with tickets going on sale early in the new year, ready for the centre to reopen in Spring."

"SMG are proposing a depth and quality of content that has not previously been seen at the Barbican. Their experience running venues elsewhere means they have good contacts with big name entertainment acts and have the ambition to bring top quality entertainment back to the Barbican."

"I am sure there will be great interest when the first acts to visit the new Barbican are announced before the end of the year."

Local Liberal Democrat campaigner Dean Knapper welcomed the news, he said "It's great that the Barbican Centre will be back where it belongs, as the entertainment heart of York. The proposal to reopen it next year is a really positive sign for the redevelopment of this part of the city."

Fellow campaigner James Whiteside added, "this is brilliant news, especially the fact that the deal will generate around 40 full time jobs. Furthermore, this new deal, providing SMG trade successfully in the first 5 years, means there will be no cost to the tax payer."

Winter Gritting

2010-11-09T04:18:00.000-08:00

With the temperature forecast to drop tonight the council has ensured that the gritters will begin patrolling the streets of Fishergate. And, as the winter nights are drawing in, we’ve put together a list of the locations of your local salt bins. The bins are free for all residents to use on footpaths and driveways throughout the winter months. They are inspected regularly, but if you find that your bin needs refilling, please phone (01904) 551551.

BROADWAY - OUTSIDE POST OFFICE
ENTRANCE TO ST GEORGES SCHOOL
OUTSIDE FISHERGATE SCHOOL
FULFORD CROSS - ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL
HESLINGTON ROAD - ENTRANCE TO ST LAWRENCES SCHOOL
KEXBY AVENUE AT THE JUNCTION THIEF LANE
MAPLE GROVE - AT BOTTOM OUTSIDE NUMBER 91
NORWAY DRIVE - SIDE OF 9 DANESMEADE
SANDRINGHAM STREET - AT SIDE OF NUMBER 17

Fulford Road Update

2010-11-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Local residents have been seeing changes take shape with the engineering improvements to Fulford Road.

The plans have seen a number of pedestrian, cycling and public transport changes. Dean Knapper says, “It is important that we make the case for the Council to work closely with local residents and businesses throughout the process with any large schemes.”

There were a number of aspects of the changes that local residents were concerned about, including making the best of the cycling improvements, retaining parking for businesses and protecting the local conservation areas.

James Whiteside added: “If residents have any concerns about the works or would like to see more information they can view www.york.gov.uk/transport or contact us. We will keep you informed through our local Focus of any future plans.”

New Recycling Boxes

2010-11-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

From June you will have been receiving new boxes in which to separate and store materials that you leave out for collection.

The new Liberal Democrat focus team for Fishergate have been encouraging recycling improvements. Dean Knapper says, “This will build on the Lib Dems’ recycling improvements since 2003, which has seen rates in York increase from 12% to more than 45%.” You will receive two new boxes with lids which will replace your bags. A net will also be delivered (to make sure things don’t blow away) to use on your existing box. The new boxes will be delivered in two phases.

The first phase will be from 14 June until 23 July and the second phase from 6 Sept until 15 Oct. The Council won't be delivering during the summer holiday period as a lot of people will be going on holiday and they don't want to leave boxes outside people's homes for a long period. James Whiteside added, “The new box system will save the collection crews time as well as enabling them to visit more properties. This means that it will be possible to roll out the recycling service to other homes in York, which is great news, without any additional cost to council taxpayers. “

If you have any questions about the scheme or would like additional boxes call 551 551.