Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Keith Orrell welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Helen Jarvis-Ong as the Ward’s new Community Involvement Officer.  Thanks were expressed to Joe Ashton for all his hard work.  Apologies were received from PCSO Hannon and also from Sharon Stoltz, CYC’s Interim Director, Public Health.  The Ward Committee minutes from the meeting held on 14^th January 2016 were signed off.

Community Safety Report 

PCSO Hannon submitted a community safety report to the meeting which Cllr Orrell read out in PCSO Hannon’s absence.

It was reported that there was nothing of particular note except for a number of garage and shed burglaries in one street in Huntington on 25^th March.  Officers and CSI attended, house to house was completed and details were taken.

Cllr Orrell introduced Mark Wilson from the Huntington Stadium Team and invited him to provide an update on developments regarding the New Stadium and Leisure Complex (NSLC).

Mr Wilson explained that what was being created was a leisure destination with facilities including:

·        An 8,000 seat football and rugby league stadium, with a fanzone area and hospitality and conference facilities

·        New swimming pools, including a leisure fun splash pool

·        Extreme play centre with a high ropes climbing facility

·        Leisure and fitness centre incorporating a gym, dance and group cycling studios, a competition standard sports hall and 3G astro-turf pitches

·        A Community Hub, including a café, Explore library and NHS outpatient services

·        A cinema complex, a number of restaurants and several retail outlets.

The athletics facilities at the old stadium have been replaced by a new regional standard athletics facility at the University of York.  This will now be home to the City of York Athletic Club.  Long-term arrangements have been made for York City Knights to train at the Sports Village.

As a result of a tendering process, the new operator for NSLC would be GLL, one of the largest leisure providers in the UK. This contract will be for 13 years from the point of contact signing, with an option to extend for a further 5 years.  This provides a sustainable operating model.

An outline timetable was provided for the planned delivery of NSLC.  The project received full council approval in March 2016 and, following a period of judicial review, it is anticipated that contracts will be signed, followed by the commencement of construction work, in Summer 2016.  It is expected that NSLC will become operational in early 2018.

Mr Wilson outlined the project costs, including funding, capital costs and value for money.  In response to a query, it was explained that Prudential borrowing was introduced by the previous government as a way to allow local governments to borrow money.

In response to queries regarding the increase in traffic, Mr Wilson explained that detailed parking and travel plans had been created and signed off by the Council’s Highways Agency.  Such plans would include shuttle buses and incentives to travel to the stadium in different ways. A Park and Ride expansion will create extra parking spaces in addition to the planned parking areas at the development.  The traffic lights at the Aldi junction were being upgraded to include monitored CCTV and the footpath from Jockey Lane was being retained with both improvements and widening.

Cllr Orrell commented that traffic and parking had been discussed in detail during the original consultation process and that whilst councillors supported the scheme, they did want to ensure protection for local residents.  One issue discussed was the need for proper road signage to be in place before the NSLC opening so that traffic is not directed through New Earswick and Huntington.  The fact that lorries did not use local roads during the demolition phase provides some degree of comfort on this issue.  Mr Wilson commented that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Cllr Runciman gave Sharon Stoltz’s apologies and introduced instead Marion Gibbon from CYC’s Public Health team who gave a presentation on the approach to Public Heath within the City.  Ms Gibbon explained that the emphasis is on creating an integrated wellness service designed to provide information, advice and guidance to residents on how they can improve their own health, with the focus being on wellness rather than illness.

Ms Gibbon also gave an overview of the ‘health profile’ of the Ward, highlighting both the positives and negatives.  It was noted that Ward demographics created a higher proportion of typically older and younger person health issues than could be expected elsewhere.

The need for lifestyle changes was highlighted, prompting a discussion on how to involve more local people in a variety of projects beneficial to their health.  This is an issue which could be taken into consideration when allocating Ward spending.

Thanks were offered to local councillors for supporting the continuation of Yearsley Pool, which is viewed as important not only in terms of the community sporting facilities it offers, but also in promoting social contact.  In response, Cllr Cullwick thanked the Yearsley Action Group for their crucial work in supporting the pool.

Cllr Runciman thanked Marion Gibbons for her contribution to the meeting.

Keith Blanshard gave a short update on how the church is moving forward with its building developments.  He also outlined some of the many community uses of the church buildings and how local groups would benefit from the building upgrades and updates.

          Cllr Runciman updated the meeting on Ward Budget spend in 2015/16 and outlined the Budget for 2016/17:

2015/16 spend

·        St Andrew’s Church refurbishment                  £5,600

·        Footpath lighting between churches      £4,250

·        KidzKlub York                                             £405

·        Toolbox Project                                        £3,150

·        Community Action for Nature                           £2,000

Budget for 2016/17

·        Ward Budget                                        £32,091

·        Highways Budget                                £15,280

·        Carry forward from 2015/16               £24, 000 (approx.)

Total           £71,371 (approx.)

Cllr Runciman reminded community groups with ideas and suggestions that they are welcome to complete and submit the Ward Grant Application Forms for consideration.  Further details and extra application forms are available from Helen Jarvis-Ong, Community Involvement Officer.

Email:   helen.jarvis@york.gov.uk    Tel: 01904 554123

A question and answer session took place during which the following issues were raised and discussed:

·        The state of the footpaths on the west side of the Foss.

Cllr Runciman reported that the Council were aware of the mud and sludge and that action was being taken to try to resolve the issue.

·        The withdrawal of the No.20 bus service.

It was explained that the subsidy for the route was being withdrawn, and whilst it was hoped that another operator might take the route over, this was dependent on passenger usage.  Residents raised the issue that parts of the route were very well used whilst others weren’t.  Cllr Orrell explained that there is a currently a consultation about bus routes across the city.

Cllr Orrell thanked residents for their attendance and contributions.  The date of the next Ward Meeting will be publicised within the Ward and sent directly to those residents who have provided their contact details.

Cllr K Orrell

(The meeting started at 7:00pm and finished at 8:55pm)