Agenda item

Simon Brereton, Head of Economic Development at the City of York Council introduced himself to the meeting and gave a talk with the use of a PowerPoint presentation.

Funding for improvements to York’s shopping areas is expected from the Central Government, with £250k dedicated towards Front Street physical asset improvements, such as upgrade to paving, drainage, bollards, benches, cycle racks, removal of grates around trees and implementation of porous resin, repainting of streetlight columns and replacement of wooden barriers. Aside from that funds will be used towards energy costs advice for households and support for new and existing businesses. Further £145k investment towards support for local groups and projects, volunteering, energy costs advice for households, support for businesses, skills training, digital inclusion, getting into work, getting better work is expected in years 2023 to 2025.

Funding allocation for the whole York and more details in respect of priorities and the investment plan is outlined on the attached PowerPoint presentation.

Questions taken:

Q – Have the shops been approached yet in relation to modernising parts of the paving that belongs to them?

A – A letter will be sent to each business outlining the opportunity. Acomb Alive and Ward Councillors are in the process of approaching landlords and businesses in regards to that matter.

Q - Could the work on adopted and private parts of the pavement be undertaken at the same time to avoid disruption and to enhance the entire area, as oppose to repairing just parts of it?

A – The longer-term aim is to improve the whole area, however some landlords are not based in York and it can take some time to obtain a response from them.

Q – Can paving slabs that are being replaced, but still in good condition be donated to 2^nd Acomb Scout Group?

A – We will investigate this with highways.

Q – Why has the money not been transferred to the Local Authority yet?

A – It is a national issue and the Local Government Association is looking into it.

At this point Cllr Walled invited Fiona Reilly, Acomb Explore Manager to give her perspective on the proposed improvements. Fiona gave an overview of recently hosted events such as the York University inflatable cosmodome planetarium, crafts, plays and other STEM sessions, as well as children’s activities planned for the run up to Christmas.

The Summer Reading Challenge attracted great participation with Acomb Primary winning the cup and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs finishing in the second place.  The Ward Committee was thanked for the grant towards starting up of a stay and play sessions for u5 year olds providing important activities for children who were born just before, or during the pandemic.

Fiona then explained about ongoing user surveys that are used to gather opinions on what is expected from York Explore and which will be used to inform expected investment in Acomb Explore.

Recent instance of vandalism to the library garden, where garden furniture and raised beds were damaged was a sad experience. To deter further ASB security cameras are being upgraded with support from Gough and Kelly security company. The Police are also now regularly patrolling the area.

Q -  Is the Library advertised as a warm space?

A – Not specifically as such, however people can visit and use facilities during our opening hours. Our café menu was upgraded with relatively low-cost winter warmer options.