Agenda and minutes

The drop in surgery gives you the opportunity to talk with your Councillors, Street Environment Officer, Safer Neighbourhood Police Team, Neighbourhood Management Officer and visiting Speakers in an informal setting.  

1.1 At the drop in surgery residents had the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from the Safer Neighbourhood Police Team, Neighbourhood Management Officer, Street Environment Officer, as well as Hull Road Ward Councillor, Richard Cregan  

The minutes of the previous meeting will be signed

2.1 Councillor Cregan welcomed all to the meeting and offered apologies for Councillor Hoban.

2.2 The minutes from the November ward committee meeting were signed following no objections from the floor.

The safer neighbourhood team will give an update on police operations in the area and answer any questions you have.

3.1 PC Paul Fenwick began his update by outlining the changes in the Hull Road Safer Neighbourhood Team. He explained that he was now the SNT PC for Hull Road along with 4 PCSO’s.

3.2 Residents were advised that cycle crime is still high in the city and were advised to lock up their bikes and that bike locks are available at a cut cost from the Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.

3.3 Residents were also made aware of recent lead theft and were advised to be vigilant.

3.4 PCSO and Crime Prevention Officer Thomas Elliot invited residents to request a house safety check from himself if they would like, where he can advise what measures can be taken to protect their homes.

Representatives from City of York network management, York University and York University Students Union will talk about parking in the ward and listen to your concerns and issues.

4.1 Councillor Richard Cregan handed over the position of Chair for this item of the agenda to Kate Bowers – Head of the Neighbourhood Management Unit.

4.2 Head of Network Management for the City of York Council David Carter started by advising residents that they were aware of some of the issues that the residents have been experiencing and that these are not simply being ignored but that further surveys and consequences need to be considered before taking long term solution actions.

4.3 The first issue that was addressed was that of vehicles parking on pavements without leaving enough room for wheelchairs and push chairs to get through. PCSO Thomas Elliot advised that in this situation they can issue a ticket IF the vehicle is causing an immediate obstruction and that recently tickets have been issued on Deremere Drive, Field Lane and Lowfield Drive amongst others.

4.4 The idea of resident parking was discussed with residents questioning if they were now entitled to free resident parking since the new University expansion had brought more traffic to the area, it was felt that this was something that was promised at the time. Residents were advised by Jon Meacock, Director of Estates and Campus Services at the University, that the University would work with the Council to help local residents if the surveys come back state that the traffic had increased by more than 20%. David Carter explained that this though does not neceseraly meen resident parking spaces as this can create further problems such as moving the parking problems further along to the next streets.

4.5 Jon Meacock explained to residents that further developments to the University meen creating 150 extra parking spaces at one site and a further 200 parking spaces at Sports Village by 2012. Residents felt that whilst this may meen more parking availiable could create further traffic and more students bringing cars to York in the first place.

4.6 The residents were keen to here what measures are put in place by the University and the Students Union to prevent students from bringing their cars to York in the first place. Jon Meacock told residents that the University have arranged extra subsidised buses, encourage cycling and charge for the use of car parking spaces at the University. Residents just felt that this meant that the students would rather park on the highway and stretts of Badger Hill for free rarther than pay for parking at the University. Tim Ngwena, Student Union President pointed out a number of measures that they go through to advise students not to bring a car to university in the first place. These included advising them they do not need a car as a student in York, telling them about various bus services availiable, creating an online database for students to be able to arrange lift sharing when travelling around the country, regular £10 bike sales and a 20p door to door mini bus service just for students. Tim Ngwena also pointed out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The list of proposed Local Improvement Schemes will be discussed. This is your chance to influence the decision on how the budget for 2011/12 will be spent.

5.1 James Nicholson – Neighbourhood Management officer went through the provisional list of schemes to be funded through Ward Committee Funding.

5.2 Residents had their opportunity to ask any questions and share their views on the proposed list.

6.1 A resident wanted to know why the glass had been removed from the bus shelter on Field Lane at the junction of Sussex Road. The resident was advised he would be updated.

6.2 Residents asked if there were any plans to improve the Windmill Lane footpath as the hedge is encroaching by well over a metre. Cllr Cregan advised residents that this will be fed back and looked into making as wide as it should be.

6.3 Caroline Suckling from the Hull Road Planning Panel invited anyone who may be interested to join or come along to Planning Panel meetings.

6.4 Residents asked for the potholes in the area to be looked at.

6.5 It was asked if a regularly used cut through by Badger Hill shops maybe made into a public footpath.

6.6 Cllr Cregan brought the meeting to a close at 21.15.