Agenda and draft minutes

An opportunity to speak informally to Councillors D’Agorne and Taylor

Local residents were given the opportunity to speak informally with Councillors D’Agorne and Taylor. 

The meeting was chaired by Jonathan Tyler who welcomed everyone and set out the agenda for the meeting. 

Vikki McCausland from the Environment Agency will give an update on the scheme.

Vikki McCausland provided an update of the Fishergate Flood Alleviation Scheme and emphasised the importance of overall flood risk management and community resilience as well as flood protection.  Her presentation included the following key points:- 

·         Prepare – Understanding flood risk is a necessary part of the process and is based on local history and knowledge, projected modelled flood outlines and flood planning (for individuals as well as the community).

·         Protect – Reducing flood risk will be addressed by the implementation of the Property Flood Resilience Scheme and Fishgergate is the first ward to undergo work as part of the scheme.  68 properties have been surveyed (55 of which have been confirmed as eligible).  £7,500 has been allocated per property and work is expected to be implemented between December 2019 and March 2020. 

·         Respond and Recover –Taking action to minimise flood impact and support each other is another vital part of the scheme (i.e. individual/community flood plans, personal/community grab bags, flood wardens, signing up for flood warnings and staying informed).

Following the presentation there was an opportunity for those attending to ask further questions.

Question:  Why are certain areas (i.e. cycle lanes on New Walk) not always cleared following flooding?

Answer:  Councillor D’Agorne accepted that clearing up after flooding is not always easy due to fluctuating river levels.  However, he acknowledged that this needs to be explained to residents with more clarity. 

Question:  What is happening about the blocked sewer near St George’s Car Park?

Answer:  Councillor D’Agorne confirmed that the pumping station originally built by City of York Council in 1982 has since been taken over by Yorkshire Water.  He also accepted that there had been maintenance and design issues affecting an outflow which he will follow up.

Question:  Why has the resilience plan had been put on hold?

Answer:   Vikki McCausland said that whilst the Environment Agency can facilitate such schemes the community needs to move matters forward.

Question:  How would the sewer system impact on the new development on Piccadilly?

Answer:  Vikki McCausland said she would follow this up. 

Question:  Is the ‘Ready for Anything’ scheme defunct?

Answer:  Vikki McCausland confirmed that this has been adopted by the City of York Council and incorporated into their Flood Alleviation Scheme.

Question:  Is there likely to be an increase in the severity and/or frequency of flooding in the future?

Answer:  Vikki McCausland confirmed that there is likely to be an increase in both the severity and frequency of flooding particularly in light of climate change. 

Question:  What mitigating factors have been factored into the scheme regarding areas further up stream and what impact would a rise in sea level have?

Answer:  Vikki McCausland confirmed that work had been done further up stream in an attempt to reduce pressure on the Foss barrier.  Other mitigating factors have included better land management, tree planting and dealing with leaking pipes.    The sea and tidal levels from the Humber Estuary are also being monitored.

Question:  What is the height of the flood defences being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Andy Kerr, CYC Head of Regeneration Programmes will give a detailed outline of the planning application.

Andy Kerr gave an update of the planning application for St George’s Field Car Park (which has now been submitted).  He referred to the master plan and the importance of the advisory group which has been key in shaping proposals and providing constructive scrutiny.  The master plan was approved in April 2018 and funding has been allocated to secure planning permission.

Andy Kerr then discussed the importance of public engagement through ‘My Castle Gateway’ which has encouraged local participation through local walks, discussion groups and social media.  Residents have particularly enjoyed learning about social history.  A total of 6,000 ‘post it’ notes have now been collected and photographed.

The planning application is for a new four storey car park at St George’s Field (which will include electric charging points, roof top photo-voltaics and green wall solutions) and the creation of landscaped public space with improvement pedestrian and cycle path along New Walk. The development of the multi-storey car park allows for the closure of Castle Car Park, to be replaced by new high quality public realm and event.

Also due to be submitted is a planning application for the Castle Mills site on Piccadilly. This development is the main source of funding for the development of the multi-storey car park. As well as the residential apartments on the Castle Mills site, this application will include a riverside walk and landscaped gardens to the rear of the museum and a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Foss.

English Heritage has abandoned plans to build a visitor centre and is keen to work closely with City of York Council to share solutions to the new development.

Andy Kerr then outlined the many technical challenges encountered with regard to St George’s Field Car Park which include the following constraints:-

·         Sewers

·         Electric cables

·         Flooding (which will require raising a new flood wall and access ramp)

·         Access for a crane on the site

·         Conservation area

·         Key heritage sites

Following the presentation there was an opportunity for those attending to ask further questions.

Question:  Will there be potential dead space near Skeldergate?

Answer:  Andy Kerr confirmed that all options had been carefully considered and the area from the original flood wall running alongside Tower Street in to Skeldergate Bridge is proposed landscaping that would provide a pleasant space with additional tree planting.  He went on to say that as the site is in a basin, it is already well camouflaged by trees.

There will be a featured staircase on the outside of St George’s Car Park which would take advantage of lovely views and provide access at every level.  The car park would be accessed on the first floor and the lower floor would be closed during periods of flooding. Owing to a recent change in building regulations wood cladding is no longer an option (although other natural material could be used instead).  The roof space may be utilised for a variety of uses (i.e. pop up facilities, Shopmobility, pram hire).  Residents who  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Lisa Otter gave an overview of the plan to build homes in Hospital Fields Road and Ordnance Lane over the next five years comprising a mixture of tenures (including 40 per cent affordable housing).  She emphasised the importance of inclusivity, sustainability and healthy communities and confirmed that their newly appointed Design Team were committed to ensuring that the new homes meet the needs of the local community and are sensitive to local history.  There will be an opportunity to meet the Design Team and discuss the plan at Cycle Heaven (Hospital Fields Road) 17:00 – 20:00 on 25/11/2019. 

Angela Koch added that City of York Council was very ambitious with regard to the plan and that residents would be provided with leaflets prior to the meeting in November 2019.  A further meeting is proposed in January 2020 which is likely to include a workshop and models of the proposed properties as well as a discussion with regard to funding. 

Sophie Cole reminded everyone that they were at the very beginning of the process and were aiming to retain as much character of existing buildings as possible particularly if that is the ambition of local residents and designers (which Councillor Taylor was encouraged to hear).

Cllr D’Agorne will give an update on residents’ parking schemes in the ward.

Councillor D’Agorne confirmed that there are now permit control signs in Danesmead and that following an executive decision (currently going through the legal process) Fulford Cross will be next in line.  Kilburn Road (which is likely to be impacted by the Frederick House development) and Farrar Street are also on the waiting list for consideration.  Further emergency funding has been allocated for additional parking services staff in an attempt to speed up the process.

Hear how the ward budget has been spent to date and plans for future projects. 

Claire Taylor confirmed a revenue budget of £27,147 for the period 2019 – 2020.

Funding Allocated

·         £2,700 to York Nurturing Community to develop their allotment plot into a community garden.

·         £5,000 to the Melbourne Centre towards a new energy management system.

Claire Taylor asked residents to come up with further suggestions on how to allocate the remaining funding of £19,447 before March 2020.  Application forms were provided at the meeting (but residents can also apply online).

Ward Highways Budget

Claire Taylor confirmed that £105,942 has been allocated over a four year period ending March 2023.  Potential schemes being investigated include:

·         Installation of  a pedestrian crossing on Green Dykes Lane

·         Measures to improve pedestrian crossing safety on Cemetery Road following recent concerns

Residents were invited to make suggestions for additional highways schemes and a children’s play area was proposed by one resident.

Housing Environment Improvement Programme (HEIP)

Claire Taylor explained that HEIP funding is allocated to improve council properties (i.e. bin stores/dropped curbs) with an emphasis on benefitting the community (as opposed to individual tenants).

Concerns were raised by residents regarding routes vulnerable to flooding and the appalling state of Hospital Fields Road (in addition to the poorly enforced 20mph speed limit) and Cemetery Road. 

Councillor D’Agorne acknowledged these concerns and confirmed that resurfacing would be carried out in Cemetery Road.  He also stated that there was sufficient justification for a crossing at Green Dykes Lane as it is on a key route to school (the cost of which may be split between two wards).

An opportunity to raise an issues of local interest or concern.

One resident suggested the possibility of setting up a Community Cinema in early 2020 to combat isolation and loneliness. 

Concerns were raised on the appalling state of Fishergate shop frontage and the fact that it is often used by parents picking up children from St George’s School.  Another resident asked whether this could this benefit from ward funding.

Councillor D’Agorne stated that as the pavements were the responsibility of the landlords, City of York Council has no jurisdiction.  Councillor Taylor confirmed that he would ask local shopkeepers if they would be interested in forming a traders association (which would enable them to request funding for repairs).  The only other alternative would be for City of York Council to erect bollards to prevent vehicles from parking there.

Jonathan Tyler then thanked everyone for attending the meeting which ended at 21: 00.