Draft minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2006 be approved as a correct record.

Zoe Burns did a presentation on the the NAPS. She explained what had been done so far in the last three editions of the the ward newsletter and encouraged residents to feed into them.  She also explained about the Festival of Ideas which is a city wide consultation on plans for the city of York.

Q.     How can we have an impact on the large developments across York?

R.        There are questions within the Festival of Ideas questionnaire sheet where people express their views.  Also, the NAP process has, and continues to ask residents for their views on projects  and needs within their area.  Further consultation will take place on developments in our area.  Cllr Aspden then asked if anyone wanted to join the consultation panel for the Germany Beck development to contact Carol Johnson.

Q.     How does the council define affordable homes?

R.        Cllr Jamieson-Ball explained that 50% of new homes built in York in developments of 15 homes or more are ‘affordable homes’.  He explained that of these 45% were affordable for rent and 5% were affordable to buy properties.

The Chairperson thanked Zöe for her presentation.

PC Anna Tyldesley reported that the crime figures for this period were down by 49% against the same period last year. The figures are based on such as the following:

o       Burglary – dwellings

o       Burglary – other

o       Auto crime & damage

These figures are well under half of what would be expected for the area.

Q.     What were the police doing about the graffiti at the playing field in

         School Lane, Fulford?

A.     We believe the problem is subsiding now.  The police have patrolled the

area and spoken to a number of people who congregate there but they are not thought to be the perpetrators of the problem.  The police will continue to patrol the area and encouraged residents to report any problems.

Q.     We have a problem with people riding their bikes on the footpaths.

What can be done about that?

A.     No-one is allowed to ride on the path – not even young children

but these offences are judged individually especially where the roads are thought to be dangerous to cyclists.  We have advised people not to cycle on paths and if seen continuing to cycle on paths tickets are being issued. We prefer to educated people rather that prosecute.

Q.          What about people riding without lights?

A.     They are prosecuted. We issue VDRS’s (Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme) which require offenders to purchase lights within a time scale and send evidence of the purchase to us.  If this is not done they can be fined.

Q.     Are there plans to add cycle paths in this area?

A.     Cllrs replied saying there has been a feasibility study done for

Heslington Lane and Broadway and plans are in place to add a cycle lane.  We are now in phase 2 or 3 but there are negotiations taking place about ownership of land and funding.  We believe the scheme is currently being drawn up.  We will try to extend the scheme to include a route through to the river.

Q.     What is the law about how late fireworks can be used? 

A.     Anna said there were a number of laws about the use of fireworks and 

         agreed to speak to the residents separately to discuss it further.

There was a considerable discussion about the scheme suggestions for this year. 

HF-08-11. Many of the queries were around the suggestion in Crossfield Crescent and it was established that this was a very unpopular suggestion.  Councillors acknowledged that and assured residents that it was unlikely to be taken forward.

HF-08-20. A representative from Heslington Church advised residents that they were unable to do a firework display this year and therefore withdrew their grant application.

HF-08-14. There was a discussion about the improvement suggestion for Chapel Alley.  Councillors agreed to investigate further to look for solutions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

A general discussion then took place about cycle routes within the ward.  Residents reported that Heslington Lane was in a very poor state where the tarmac had broken up leaving pot holes and uneven surfaces which made it dangerous for cyclists.

Another resident queried the lack of footpath at Crockey Hill.  CJ agreed to contact Bishopthorpe and Wheldrake councillors to discuss the problem and Cllr Aspden agreed to work with them to explore a solution as the boundary of both wards were at that point. CJ asked the resident to pass on their details at the end of the meeting.

A discussion took place about the new traffic island on Fulford Main Street.  Residents were advised that the new island would be replaced by solar panels, a ramp would also be installed.