|
City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
|
|
MEETING |
Clifton Ward Committee |
|
|
DATE |
18 March 2026 |
|
|
PRESENT |
COUNCILLORS D Myers and Wells |
|
|
APOLOGIES |
COUNCILLORS |
|
1. Drop-in from 6:30pm
2. Main meeting 7pm
1. Main meeting – welcome and introductions (7pm)
The meeting was chaired by Councillor Myers who welcomed everyone, set out the housekeeping rules and reminded residents that the meeting was non-political.
2. Crombie Avenue play area consultation
Kristina Davey (Public Ream Project Manager, CYC) explained that play areas on Crombie Avenue and at Ashton Park are scheduled to be refurbished with use of funding from the council’s Park Investment Fund (PIF).
The Fund of £750,000 was approved in September 2025 with the goal to revitalise parks, play areas, and public green spaces across the city.
Other sources of funding, such as section 106 monies and funding bids to other organisations will boost the Fund to around £925,000.
Priority was given to areas with higher indices of multiple deprivation, where there is ageing play equipment infrastructure and where the council’s ambition to increase the number of Green Flags is a potential.
One of CYC’s aims is to encourage more people to spend time outdoors, improve accessibility, social inclusion and play.
A weighted scoring system was designed to identify locations for investment. Ashton Park and Crombie Avenue play areas are amongst 19 locations which have been approved for investment.
Engagement with young people and communities around each of the locations will be taking place to ensure the right equipment is installed.
There is £50k dedicated from the PIF towards improvements of the Ashton Park play area. A further £20k is hoped for from a separate funding bid.
The plan for Ashton Park is to replace the equipment within the fenced play area and create a more welcoming access gate and fence. Discussion with the Art of Protest (AoP) is underway about the potential for young people to be involved with an art project at Ashton Park. Community consultation for Ashton Park is planned to commence in May 2026 with voting on proposed designs to take place in September 2026.
Crombie Avenue play area is the first location to undergo improvements via PIF. With £80k available from the Fund it is planned to refurbish the entire playground, resurface the adjacent multi-use games area (MUGA) and create a new footpath access. Potential addition of on-site sports coaching and an art project with AoP is being discussed as part of the scheme, however it is dependant on the outcome of a separate funding bid. Clifton Green Primary School children have previously been consulted, and specification was written based on their feedback. Children have asked for a wide range of accessible and inclusive play equipment for a variety of ages, including swings, monkey bars, roundabout, spinning bowl, a multi-play unit or units which have ‘impact’ and include a slide, and new seating that caters for a variety of needs. Suppliers were given an option to retain and reuse the existing slide and seesaw. Other structural improvements include installation of new fencing along the road-side of the playground, new gates at either end, and space for future tree planting to provide shade. The new play equipment layout must enable good sight lines through the play area.
As a result of a tender process three proposals have been shortlisted for community consultation. A visit to the Clifton Green Primary School took place earlier today to consult with school pupils, an on-site consultation at Crombie Avenue play area took place just before the meeting and this evening provides an opportunity for anyone to look at and vote on their preferred design. Drawings and description of all three options are included on the attached PowerPoint.
Following the consultation votes will be counted, and the winning design will be ordered with the supplier. It is envisaged that the new play area will be installed in a few months’ time.
Cllr Myers invited everyone to have a look at the plans and cast their vote with the use of sticky dots.
The following questions were asked.
Q – Is there a budget dedicated towards maintenance of trees that are planned for the playground?
A – Any new trees will be of the right variety and size for the location and arrangements will be made with Public Realm in relation to ongoing maintenance requirements.
Q – What is meant by seating for variety of needs?
A – The specification stipulated that we are looking for seating that is accessible for all playground users. We are looking for an ample amount of seats dotted around the site, including a wheelchair accessible picnic bench.
Q – Do all proposals include items of play equipment that children and adults can use together?
A – The specification stipulated provision of equipment that allows inclusive play. Items such as a basket swing, or a seesaw allow adults to get involved in play with their children.
At this point Cllr Myers introduced Jeff Clark and Gemma Waygood from the AoP who plan to undertake three art-based projects in the area.
Jeff spoke about his background and first experience of photography and creative art at school, then becoming a mountain leader before coming back to the UK 10 years ago and setting AoP which specialises in creative art and mural installations. AoP gallery is based at Stonegate in York and they have been involved with place making projects across the country. Following a successful application to the Nort Yorkshire Combined Authority Community Fund AoP started working with Clifton Green, Burton Green and Vale of York schools on a creative art project, offering young people not only the opportunity to learn new skills, but also to gain more ownership and pride in their local area. Three cohorts of thirty young people from each school will be given an opportunity to take part in street art workshops. Designs created by young people will be used to inform themes for the murals that will be created at each school site and a temporary art installation at Ashton Park. As well as the Combined Authority funding, the project also received a contribution form the ward budget.
The other two projects that the AoP are looking at is to remake the Crombie Avenue MUGA surface and a place making project to enhance visual aesthetics around Crichton Avenue shops and creation of corridors connecting all green spaces in Clifton. Other organisations such as GoodGym York and Joseph Rowntree Foundation have offered to help with delivery of the connecting green spaces project. Both projects are dependent on the outcome of funding bids and if successful it is hoped for the work to commence in July this year.
Q – How can AoP be contacted?
A – We are happy to be approached by anyone, and our contact details are on our website https://www.artofprotest.co.uk/
Q – Could you expand on the corridors project? What will it look like?
A – This place making project will aim to enhance visual aesthetics by creation of murals and carved place finding features but also increased footfall and positive presence to disrupt criminality in local walkways. Eight different walkways would benefit from visual backdrop installations. GoodGym members would start using those walkways for their runs on a regular basis. This increased presence would make those walkways less attractive for criminal activity. Our project in Doncaster, where a floor mural incorporating games and a seating platform was created, helped to make better use of the local park. It became very popular and the park is frequently used by young people now. It is an example of what we can achieve. The corridors project in Clifton will make the area more attractive for all demographics, however with the limited youth provision, we want our work to have maximum positive impact for young people.
Cllr Myers added that AoP were invited to work in Clifton as part of the Connecting Clifton which evolves from the Clear, Hold, Build (CHB) campaign. Clifton has had high rates of county lines reports. As a result of CHB a mild 15% decrease in crime has been noted over the last year. We are in the Build stage of the project, which is about organisations working together to fill the void and AoP help us with that.
2. Ward funding
Representatives from some of the groups which received ward funding over the last financial year were present and Cllr Myers invited them to say few words about their project and experience of ward funding.
Simon Boyle, Bootham South Residents Association (RA) Treasurer has been involved with the group from its inception. The area covered by the RA falls within both Guildhall and Clifton wards. The RA formed about 18 months ago in response to increased issues with county lines in the area. Marygate car park, with multiple escape routes, was being used by drug dealers who were bold enough to offer free samples to school children in a daylight. Simon felt that nothing was being done by the authorities and took upon himself to create a flyer and drop it to around 500 properties in the area. As a result, 250 people have signed up to become members of the RA, which made it possible for the group to have a strong voice on local matters. Following that authorities engaged with the RA which resulted in more frequent Police patrols and eventually de-escalation of the drug dealing issue. The RA now focuses on other projects, namely creation of a mural for the Railway underpass, adoption of the BT Phone box on Marygate to home a defibrillator and be used as a community book share, and investigation of options to make the exit to Scarborough Bridge ramp safer. The RA meets regularly and has a website where description of their projects and minutes from previous meetings can be found. Everyone living in the area, or with interest in the area is welcome to be involved. In closing remarks Simon mentioned Clifton ward grant funding which helped the RA to cover costs of their website and venue hire for meetings.
Q – Where do you hold your meetings?
A – We used to meet at the Clifton Methodist Church and are now meeting at St Olave’s Church. Please visit our website for details of forthcoming meetings https://www.bootham-south-residents-association.org/
A comment was made congratulating the group for their efforts and for what they achieved so far.
Gillian Tyler, St Luke’s Church spoke about their Grapevine magazine. Three editions of the magazine are produced and distributed to every household within the parish in spring, autumn and winter and it is being funded from the ward grant. Content of the magazine usually includes information from local groups, Clifton Green Primary, activities hosted at the church and in the Clifton area. Ward Councillors provide regular updates on their work in Clifton. The magazine is produced by a graphic designer and hand delivered to approximately 2500 households within the parish. Parish boundaries are complicated and the area of benefice is from Bootham, down Burton Stone Lane to Grosvenor Road and Avenue Road, then from Clifton Green Primary along the railway line to the backies and Burton Green. Anyone interested in submitting an article for inclusion in the magazine is welcome to do so. One matter to remember is that the content must be of non-political nature.
Q - A suggestion was made that the winter edition includes an insert with information about changes to waste and recycling collections over the Christmas period.
A – Unfortunately the timing of autumn and winter editions would not align with timing when information is prepared and released by the Councill.
Cllr Myers stated that CYC has set a budget towards a physical pamphlet which will be distributed to households across York prior to Christmas. It will contain information about waste and recycling collections over the festive period and other useful information.
Valeria Gorog, Therapeutic Art and Play Therapy Yorkshire (TAPTY) spoke about ward funded activities for young people delivered over the summer 2025 school holidays. Valeria had previously been involved with Tang Hall Big Local project, where she was commissioned to deliver several workshops for young people. Three sessions on consecutive Mondays were held at the Clifton Community Hall over the last summer. Each session included board games, art, clay and slime materials and was aimed for families with primary age school children. The project went well, however only five families attended, and better attendance was hoped for. Learning from the project is that an earlier funding application would allow sufficient time to promote the sessions in good time before the summer. Valeria is interested to explore future work with young people in the ward.
Ward Councillors stated that there is a need in Clifton for free to access activities for young people and that the Clifton Community Hall is a good location to host this type of provision. Councillors would welcome further discussion and exploration of future activities for young people.
A comment was made by a member of the audience that TAPTY have been great at Tang Hall Big Local and would recommend them.
Rob Orr, Vale of York Academy spoke about the project supporting young people going through bereavement. Bereavement champions from St Leonard’s Hospice have been supporting Vale of York students who are going through the difficult period of mourning. A disproportionate number of single young parents who have become ill and passed away has been observed. Anna Harrison, the Local Area Coordinator (LAC) has been involved throughout the project.
Anna Harrison, LAC spoke about her role and involvement with Clifton for over 3.5 years. Anna works closely with the Vale of York, helping families going through bereavement. Christmas event for young people and families held at the Clifton Community Hall attracted over 30 families. It was jointly organised with the Community Officer and discussions are underway about the next event and potential activities for young people over the summer 2026. Links will be made with organisations such as TAPTY to offer joined-up quality provision.
Peter Smith, Chairman of the Clifton Planning Panel (PP) gave an overview of the Panel work and activities over the last year. Outlying areas of York have Parish Councils which act as statutory consultees and comment on planning applications, whereas in central areas there are no Parish Councils, and this function is fulfilled by PPs. Clifton PP is made up of local volunteers who get together to comment on all type of planning applications. Everyone living in the ward is welcome to join the PP. Most common planning applications in Clifton ward are related to building extensions, or work on trees. Since January last year 72 planning applications have been sent to the PP for comments. Applications to transform houses into Housing of Multiple Occupation (HMO) are increasing. There can be no more than 10% of HMOs on a given street, however there are few exceptions.
Planning applications are emailed by the Planning Department to Peter who disseminates them to PP members for consideration. Communication between the PP members is via email. Should a member of the PP know the applicant they have to declare interest and abstain from commenting. Main factors that are taken into consideration while considering an application are the impact on neighbouring properties, any potential overshadowing and size of the extension. Once a comment is agreed by the PP it is submitted on the planning portal. There are only three members of the Clifton PP and new members are always welcome.
Q – Are planning applications only in respect of physical structures and trees?
A – Planning applications can be in respect of physical structures and work on threes in the conservation area. Change of window frames in the conservation area requires a planning application. Erecting a structure over 2.7m height requires a planning permission.
At this point Councillors thanked all speakers for their presentations.
Cllr Myers spoke about community event planned for Saturday 21st of March at the Lanes Community Garden (LCG). LCG was started few years ago with the aim to use space in the back alley between Falsgrave Crescent and Baker Street for edible plants growing. Most of the group members have moved away and this Saturday event aims to attract new membership and tidy up the garden a little. Refreshments, sandwiches and fruit will be served, and anyone interested is welcome to join.
A community litter pick is being planned around the Kingsway North roundabout for Friday 27th March, 12:30pm – 2:30pm as part of the Great British Spring Clean.
At this point Cllr Myers outlined ward priorities and explained that they guide Councillors on how ward funds are used. The main focus of the Clifton ward is to provide for young people and anyone being interested in doing something positive on that field is encouraged to speak with us. Clifton ward has the second highest allocation of ward funding. For year 2025 to 2026 the ward budget allocation was £19,812 and similar allocation is expected for the financial year 2026 to 2027.
Cllr Myers briefly spoke about other projects funded by the ward over the last year, namely: Elderberries group trips, York City Football Club Foundation football themed activities for young people during summer 2025 and Easter 2026, repair of notice boards across the ward, Inspire Youth Yorkshire mobile youth club sessions at Ashton Park, York Rugby League Football Club Foundation multi-sports activities for young people over the summer 2025, GLL Better chair-based exercise sessions at Marjorie Waite Court, pilot project to plant trees in front gardens, restoration of planters on Wilberforce Avenue, consumables for a community defibrillator, repair of the perimeter fence on Clifton Green and additional copies of Connecting Clifton newsletter
3. Have your say 8pm
Q – While the temperatures were below 0C there was an issue on Burton Stone Lane with water egress from a private gutter onto a pavement creating frozen patches and making the pavement unsafe.
A – Please provide us with a specific location and we will investigate that.
Q – The notice board outside ‘top shops’ on Crichton Avenue was vandalised shortly after it was restored. What are the plans in relation to that?
A – We are considered either restoration, or removal and placing the notice board on the wall outside one of the shops. This would require a permission from the shop/property owner.
No further questions were raised, and Cllr Myers closed the meeting at 8:30pm
, Chair
[The meeting started at Time Not Specifiedand finished at Time Not Specified].