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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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MEETING |
Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward Committee |
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DATE |
29 November 2023 |
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PRESENT |
COUNCILLORS Fenton, Mason and Widdowson |
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APOLOGIES |
COUNCILLORS |
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1. 18:30 informal drop-in
2. 19:00 Main meeting
Welcome Chaired by Cllr Fenton who opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.
Update from PCSO
Nigel Klavins, local PCSO introduced himself and spoke about targeted activities, community engagement and problem solving being focus of the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Comparison of crime statistics between July and October/November indicates a decrease over the autumn months around auto crime, cycle theft, burglary and road related incidents. Those areas are more of an issue during the summer.
Current operations include:
· Drink and Drug campaign – focus on educating road users about the consequences of drink and drug driving, additional stop checks and resources deployed to target motorists driving under influence;
· Operation Liberate – focus on tackling ASB, visiting hot spots, engaging with young people and taking positive actions;
· Operation Shimmer – focus on education about importance of bicycle lights use after dark, including enforcement actions;
· Operation Snap – focus on making sure that roads are as safe as possible for all users. NPT encourages car drivers to share with them footage captured on their dashcam, CCTV or a mobile phone by a passenger of dangerous driving, mobile phone offences, driving at speed, or contravening red traffic light;
· Operation Cordial – sees extra resources deployed in the immediate area to provide reassurance and support to the community when a house is burgled. Crime prevention tips and advice to residents, as well as discuss other crime prevention initiatives such as the North Yorkshire Community Messaging service and dot peen property marking.
North Yorkshire Community Messaging is a free email alert service used by North Yorkshire Police to let you know what's happening in your area. Silverdale Court area has been leafleted recently with information about the scheme. To join follow: https://www.northyorkshirecommunitymessaging.co.uk/#signup-section
https://www.immobilise.com/ is the UK national property register where you can register any valuable item that has a serial number, improving your chances of getting them back if lost or stolen.
Before inviting questions PCSO Klavins spoke about the geographical area he covers, which includes Copmanthorpe and Rural West villages as well as Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward, and the Acomb Police Team approach to supporting each other and allocating resources to problem areas.
Q – A resident raised a concern that too much is being expected from members of the public and about insufficient visibility of the Police in the community.
A – In response PCSO Klavins reiterated that the request was only for residents to sign up with the Community Messaging scheme and report any crime via either 101 if not urgent, or 999 if the crime is happening and someone is in immediate danger. The Team are present in the community at different times of day, or night depending on the nature of the incident. Cllr Fenton further added that resources are allocated to priority areas and encouraged the meeting to report instances of crime directly to the Police to make them aware of issues.
Q – Further comment was made about long waiting time when calling 101 to report non-urgent issues.
A – We acknowledge this is an issue and our senior management team have been working over the past months to resolve it.
An offer was made from GLL Energise Leisure Centre to help with promotion of the Community Messaging scheme.
Q – A concern was raised about frequent staff turnover within the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
A – We acknowledge that it could be frustrating when the community forms a relationship with a Police Officer and then that person moves on. Unfortunately this is beyond control of the local PCSO, or the Ward Committee, however is being fed back to the Police senior management.
Q – A request was made for a newsletter with information about recent operations and contact details to be created.
A – Councillors will take it back and look at creating a poster that can be displayed on ward notice boards.
Q – A question was asked if all crimes are being registered and included in the stats as the numbers seem relatively low? A specific burglary case was brought up as an example and discussion about definition of burglary followed.
A – In response PCSO Klavins stated that all reported crimes are included in the stats reports.
Ward budget update
With the use of PowerPoint presentation, Cllr Fenton outlined this year’s ward budget arrangements and recently awarded grants.
This year an element of ward budgets have been allocated based on Indices of Multiple Deprivation and funds have to be used towards health and wellbeing, tackling the cost of living crisis, environment and climate emergency and equality of opportunity priority areas. Wards were able to further define their local priorities and the consultation undertaken earlier this year resulted in the following being set as priorities for the ward:
· health and wellbeing - including promoting activities, including volunteering opportunities, available locally
· tackling the Cost of Living Crisis - including supporting organisations providing advice on employment, benefits and household budgeting
· environment and climate emergency - including protecting and improving local green spaces, improving play and recreation spaces and strengthening biodiversity, making sustainable modes of travel (public transport, cycling, walking and wheeling) easier, safer and more convenient
· equality of opportunity - including supporting organisations providing low or no cost activities locally
In terms of the funds allocation for 2023 to 2024 the ward budget is as follows:
£2,394 - summer activity funding
£10,809 - ward revenue funding
The ward commissioned York City Football Club Foundation to host a series of kickabout sessions for young people in the ward during the summer 2023 at the cost of £2,394.
Earlier this year an opportunity for groups to apply for ward grant towards projects helping to address ward priorities resulted in the following successful applications:
· £424 awarded to Friends of Dringhouses Library towards wall mounted baby changing unit. Addressing equality of opportunity and health and wellbeing priorities.
· £697 awarded to Mayfields Community Trust towards additional tools for volunteers who look after the green space. Addressing the environment and climate emergency priority.
· £750 awarded to West Thorpe Pre School towards outside learning experiences. Addressing affordability and tackling the Cost-of-Living Crisis priority.
· £3000 awarded to West Thorpe Scout Group towards purchase of specialist equipment to support young people with SEND, camping equipment and creating a hardship. Addressing affordability and tackling the Cost-of-Living Crisis priority.
· £616 awarded to Foxwood Tai Chi Group to enable the project to continue, providing the group with time to seek longer term funding and to work out the new financial model. Addressing health and wellbeing and equality of opportunity priorities.
· £1728 awarded to Chapmans Pond CIC towards felling and removal of 4 large crack willows. Addressing environment and climate emergency and equality of opportunity priorities.
· £370 awarded to York Railway Pond towards making one of the fishing pegs at the pond site more accessible for mobility scooter and wheelchair users. Addressing environment and climate emergency, health and wellbeing and equality of opportunity priorities.
Q – a comment was made about relatively large grant awarded to Chapmans Pond CIC.
A – In response it was explained that tree surgeon prices are high and that is how much it will cost to address the issue with four crack willows on site. It was further added that every group does what they can to minimize costs, with most of the work undertaken by volunteers, however some jobs have to be done by specialist contractors.
Cllr Fenton finished the topic outlining the remaining ward budget standing at around £3000 and potential to utilize it towards youth work related projects and connecting people with volunteering opportunities.
Local Transport Strategy Consultation
Julian Ridge, CYC introduced himself and outlined the topic. A new Local Transport Plan is being written for the city with the aim to set our City’s ambitions in relation to transport network and infrastructure over the next decade.
Julian briefly spoke about current major projects such as Tadcaster Road improvements, Station Gateway and York Central before being joined by Cllr Widdowson and opening a discussion about problems around transport, but also opportunities.
The following comments were made:
Q – The bus service in York is good, however sometimes buses come at once, i.e. number 13 and the bus from Leeds arrive at the same time.
A – Bus timetables is something that can be looked at as part of the strategy.
Q – Number of bollards installed on Front Street shopping precinct recently is too high. It must have been an expensive project and what purpose does it serve? The same person asked about purpose of the bollard in the road at the bottom of Shambles.
A – The
bollards were installed at that location with the use of government
allocated funding to prevent dangerous parking, vehicles mounting
pavements and subsequent damage to pavements.
In respect of the Shambles it is a counterterrorism measure due to
it being high risk large pedestrianised area.
Q – Car parking charges for tourists have gone up. Can there be an incentive for tourists?
A – The idea is to encourage use of existing P&R sites where you can park your vehicle and commute to the city centre by bus. The return ticket cost for P&R bus is £4. Longer term plan is to transform P&R sites to offer overnight parking services.
Q – A further comment was made in relation to P&R locations in York and perhaps better siting outside the ring road?
A – Locations of existing P&R sites was informed by traffic flow monitoring and availability of land. In essence York city centre does not have wide roads and P&R sites located on the outskirts are there to reduce car journeys to the city centre.
Q – Can traffic signalling be improved and better synchronised?
A – Most of the traffic lights are automated, but some are operated manually and we are continuously working to have traffic lights working properly. As an example journey times along Tadcaster Road have been reduced by 2-3min as a result of better synchronised signals at York College junctions.
Cllr Widdowson invited feedback around yellow chequered box marking at road junctions.
It was considered that they require ongoing maintenance and currently frequent repainting and that you cannot enforce rules if you don’t see the signage. Perhaps better, more lasting materials could be used in the future?
Cllr Mason referred to the loss of Leeds city zap service which was affordable and useful service for commuters between cities. Is there a possibility to bring it back as part of the strategy?
Q – What can be done in terms of bus reliability? Perhaps a bus only lane could be dedicated, but that would mean losing space for cars in place of buses. Perhaps making some roads one way only with more space for buses?
A – Tadcaster Road for example has different widths ranging from 8 to 12 metres and space is limited.
Q – A concern about out-of-control vehicle speeding was raised.
A – The Police can take action on speeding issues. Perhaps introduction of speed cameras at appropriate locations could be an option?
Cllr Widdowson asked the meeting about any comments in relation to cycling and the following were raised.
Q – Some roadside margins on Tadcaster Road are in very bad state, making it dangerous for cyclists.
A – On Tadcaster Road this issue is being addressed as part of current improvements scheme.
Q – Vegetation encroaching onto a cycle lane can be an issue.
A – Perhaps better level of maintenance regime is required as part of the strategy?
At this point Cllr Widdowson invited comments in relation to pavements.
Q – Generally pavement surfaces in the city are bad, especially in the city centre where they pose a risk of trips and falls due to uneven paving slabs.
A – If surface was to be improved, would people use them more often?
Q – A comment was made about a need for more secure cycle parking in the city.
A – We expect that as part of the combined authority we will be able to draw on Government funding to enable schemes such as additional cycling parking and infrastructure.
Q – A comment was made about the Council weed spraying vehicle driving at speed along Bramble Dene while spraying missing some of the vegetation and at the same time posing a risk to pedestrians.
A – Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We will address this with the Service.
Q - A resident witnessed number 24 bus not stopping and ignoring people indicating that they want to get on the bus. Perhaps there is an issue with too few formal bus stops.
A – Thank you, we will take this back.
A further comment was made that perhaps smaller busses, like number 24, would be more suitable for the city.
Cllr Widdowson and Julian Ridge thanked everyone for participation and invited everyone to complete the survey, link to which will be available on the Council website shortly. The consultation will run until the end of February 2024 and there will be two options – a 30min shorter version and a couple hours long more thorough one.
Have your say
Q – A question was asked about proposed changes to green bins.
A – City of York Council entered the budget process for the next financial year. Investment, savings and potential charges proposals will be known in January/February 2024. We will know then if proposals are being made for things like introduction of green bin collection charges and what would be their mechanics.
Q – Can the Council charge residents for not trimming back vegetation overhanging from their property onto a public pavement and obstructing it? Hunters Way is one of the locations where that is an issue.
A – You could try speaking with the property owner to make them aware of the obstruction, as they may not be aware. Sometimes that is the best and fastest solution, however not every time. This can also be reported to the Council. Please include a photograph and description of the location when reporting. The Council will then send a letter to the property owner asking them to cut the vegetation back. Should the letter not be actioned upon the Council can trim vegetation and charge the property owner.
Q – A question was asked about the new way funds are allocated to wards.
A – In response Cllr Fenton mentioned the city wide fund aimed for projects of city wide nature that is expected to be announced. There is less funding in this year’s ward budget, meaning we have less funding to commission schemes like additional street lighting. We need to get on with it and make best use of what we have.
Q – A question was asked about proposed yellow lines on Bramble Dene.
A – The Council is consulting about implementation of double yellow lines at number of locations, Bramble Dene being one of them. Information can be found on posters attached to lamp posts at those locations.
Q – A question was raised about the Askham Bar roundabout and which lane are you supposed to use when driving from Moor Lane towards Tesco? It is confusing at this moment.
A – You should use the right lane if you aim to drive towards the College/A64 or Tesco car park. There is an ‘A64’ marking on the road. The left lane should be used for left turn towards the city centre, or if you wish to drive one the Revival Estate.
Before closing the meeting Cllr Fenton mentioned Nimbus Care plans in relation to their presence on the old P&R site adjacent to TESCO. Nimbus Care will be using the site as a temporary diagnostic centre, and it is good news that it is being used.
, Chair
[The meeting started at Time Not Specifiedand finished at Time Not Specified].