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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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MEETING |
Fishergate Ward Committee |
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DATE |
12 January 2026 |
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PRESENT |
COUNCILLORS Whitcroft and Wilson |
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APOLOGIES |
COUNCILLORS |
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1. Drop In/Ward Surgery
1. MAIN MEETING – WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS (18:30)
The meeting was chaired by Councillors Sarah Wilson and Conrad Whitcroft who welcomed everyone and set out the housekeeping rules and reminded residents that the meeting was non-political and that due to the current pre-election period due to by election in Heworth would not be having the usual Q+A after the session.
2. Glen Gardens Play Park Consultation – Kristina Davey – Parks Improvement Officer
Overview:
Q: Resident noted that the park is often known as ‘Snake Park’ so this should be maintained in some way.
Q: Resident asked if Fishergate School will be included as the children from there often use the park, as do Applefields, Hob Moor and St George’s.
A: Confirmed that St George’s School were notified about the public consultation in the park in September. Other schools would be included in further discussions.
Q: Resident asked if any pans to build in an exercise area like an outdoor gym. A: K.D responded that this was mentioned in the consultation so would be included in discussions but no guarantee that it will make the final project.
Q: Resident mentioned that Fishergate was part of the Opal Project regarding outdoor play outside and perhaps could be linked with this project.
Q: Resident queried how risky the equipment would be, but consultation revealed a request for some more appropriate ‘risk/challenging’ play equipment. This would included in the consultation but all equipment would meet industry standards for safety.
3. Ordnance Lane Development
Charlotte Bates from the Housing Development Team should have been present to deliver an update but cancelled due to illness and no stand in was provided.
Three slides were provided which were read out to the audience:
1 – Slide 1 showed purple sections as having been completed.
2 - Slide 2 showed construction being complete in 2029 (estimated).
3 – Slide 3 showed planning application being resubmitted to increase the number of housing.
Questions were raised to pass on to Charlotte Bates which she has now answered:
1- Is 28 parking spaces enough for the required number of cars likely to be in the area?
CB: We believe so. The development will be advertised as low parking and due to the proximity to the city centre, and good public transport and cycle links the need for a car will be low. There will also be 3 car club vehicles available or use.
2- Residential parking is already an issue in the area – Is it true that occupants of the new development will not be able to join the existing res park scheme in the area?
CB: Yes, that is correct.
3- What is happening with residents parking in Hospital Fields Road
(A: Cllr Whitcroft confirmed they would consult residents re: Hospital Fields Res Park).
CB: Before the original planning application was submitted in 2019 all local residents were consulted about having ResPark and those who wanted it implemented did get ResPark. The residents of Hospital Fields Road opted not to implement ResPark, however if it is wanted/needed in the future CYC will support the application.
4 – Resident asked about the split of affordable tenures vs social housing.
(A: Cllr Whitcroft said he believed 1/3 would be affordable tenures/shared ownership and 2/3 would be social housing but that this would be clarified on planning documents which are publicly available on planning portal.)
CB: At present it is a 50:50 split between social rent and shared ownership
5 – What will the commercial units be used for?
CB: They are use Class E which means they can be a range of different uses including retail, café, offices etc.
4. Community Officer Update
Sam Watling Introduced himself and informed that his role is about supporting Community groups to thrive and contribute to the aims of the wards on the east of the city including Fishergate. He is able to help individuals form organised groups and is able to help established groups apply for funding including the ward funding which is he administrates on behalf of the ward councillors.
The 24/25 Ward Budget is £10,850 and that so far expenditure is £5,440
7 projects have been funded including:
£150 – Plants on Broadway
£877 – 8 x Rugby Sessions for children during holidays
£1,233 – Planter and plants on Grange Street
£840 – New Visuality Art Sessions at St George’s Primary School
£1,720 – Shared Story sessions focused on loneliness and isolation.
£570 – 3 x Rugby Sessions for children during holidays
£50 – Room Hire for Ward Committee Meeting
Q: Residents asked about the criteria for funding.
A: Sam gave overview about eligibility for community projects and guided all to the Fishergate Ward page on the council website:
https://www.york.gov.uk/wards-1/fishergate-ward-1
Q: Residents asked how decisions are made.
A: SW explained that if the projects meet eligibility criteria then Ward Councillors are asked to decide if they approve. Then there is final oversight by the Director Pauline Stutchfield. That all grants are made public on the council website.
Q: Resident asked about the deadline for application.
A: SW Fishergate currently is open for applications but all ward funding needs to be spent by end of Feb early March to be approved in time for end of financial year.
Q: Could the extra be added to the playground work.
A: Yes. We will be assessing all current and incoming applications but any remainder may well be spent on topping up the Cemetery Road Play Park project. SW welcomed new applications.
Q: Do you have to be an existing group?
A: Need a constitution and bank account or an umbrella organisation would have to apply for the funding on your behalf. SW offered advice and support to anyone with ideas.
5. Thanks and Close
2. Ordnance Lane Update
3. Cemetery Road Play Park Update
, Chair
[The meeting started at 6.00 pm and finished at 8.00 pm].