Minutes

This was an opportunity for residents to talk to their ward councillors, report any street environment or any other ward-based issues.

PC Paul Beckwith gave a ward update and reported that the ward priorities are;

·        Burglary

·        Damage/Vandalism

·        Young People & Anti social behaviour

·        Crime Prevention

The Police provided smartwater to some residents and have been giving crime prevention advice to the vulnerable & elderly.

A range of actions have gone into improving the Balfour Street area of Leeman Road, which include;

·        No Drinking zone

·        Taking young people home if they are causing a nuisance

·        Writing to parents

Issues raised by residents were;

·        Can you patrol at the bottom of Manor Drive South and see the cars that are just parking anywhere.

·        What is being done about flytipping on Council Land?

·        Are there any areas that are worse than others?

·        Can Acomb Police Station be opened? 

o       This is now being used as a training resource and will not reopen as a manned Police Station

·        Can Members of the public have access to the school where the Westfield Neighbourhood Policing Team will be based?

o       No

·        Can we increase the patrols to eradicate dog fouling on Holly Bank Road?

Dawn Clarkson from the Trading Standards spoke to residents about cold calling and doorstep crime in the City.

·        There is a link between cold calling & doorstep crime

·        All reported rogue traders will be investigated by Trading Standards

·        There are now 14 Cold Calling zones within the City.

·        If not all the street agrees to the Cold Calling zone then partial zones can be done.

·        You can just nominate your street and Trading Standards do the rest.

Dawn also explained that Trading Standards have a home service directory of traders that have been checked and approved.

Residents raised the following questions;

·        How do you go about canvassing the street?

o       Usually visit residents with the PCSO’s.

·        How can you identify a rogue trader?

o       The Police or trading Standards will check them out.

·        How have you measured that it is working?

o       We did a survey after 3 months and 92% responded.

Janet Hopton asked residents on there views on York putting ina  bid to gain World Heritage statuis.

There are currently 27 World Heritage sites in the UK, including Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bath, Stonehenge and, in Yorkshire, Fountains Abbey and Saltaire.

It is felt that York has a very strong case for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site,
although it is recognised that there are advantages and disadvantages to gaining World Heritage status. Potential disadvantages include the possibility of outside scrutiny of decisions taken by City of York Council (by UNESCO and its advisors); the significant costs associated with making a bid; and the fact that there is no guarantee that a bid from York would be successful.

·       In the budget why are Group Response not there to be funded

o       The scheme was not suggested by any resident and consequently did not go to the public vote

·       Is there any money left in this years budget

o       If there is then we will go through the reserve schemes list

·       Can anyone check the rubbish on the road in Moorgate after the recycling wagon has been as it is disgusting.