Minutes

PC Paul Beckwith gave a ward update which included;

·        The Sgt for the ward is Elaine Duffy and she oversees Acomb & Holgate wards.

·        There are 4 PCSO’s in the ward and they each have their own part of the community.

·        Col calling zones that have been set up in the ward are at Baildon Close, Lindsey Avenue (part of), Grantham Drive, Seagrave Walk.

·        There has been an increase in the Anti Social Behaviour patrols in the ward.

·        Annual Crime figures for Holgate are down 18%

·        The biggest reduction is in vehicle crime.

Residents raised the following;

·        Which crimes have gone up?

o       Other crimes, miscellaneous up 11%, Acts of Violence up 10%

·        What are you doing about the volume of traffic at Manor Drive South?

o       The police have spoke to the shop owners and do a purge on the area and have given tickets out to irresponsible drivers.

·        Why do the PCSO’s patrol in pairs?

o       They only patrol in pairs if they are on a specific task or if it is an evening.

·        What do you do about litter dropping and cycle offences?

o       Litter is dealt with by Street Environment and we do a joint educational and enforcement approach on cycling.

·        Speeding on Hamilton Drive East seems to be constant so what can be done?

o       This was addressed in the week of Action in December but I will ask for more enforcement attention.

Anthony Dean is the Environmental Protection Officer that has been dealing with the issue of the noise from the trains when they are parked up at Holgate sidings.  Anthony also deals with any complaints regarding noise, music, smoke nuisance, air quality and contaminated land.

Anthony is aware of a strong concern from residents about the trains that are stopping at Holgate sidings.  Anthony gave the following update;

·        Currently checking if CYC can use the powers they have to take action against Freightliner

·        Residents have been written to explaining the powers that CYC have and the laws of noise abatement.

·        To determine the best way forward with a meeting with freightliner & network rail.

·        A couple of proposals have been put forward taking in to account the health & safety obligations.

·        There may be a trial with something new in the engine in September.

Residents raised the following issues and questions;

·        They need air pressure to keep the brakes off not on.  Freightliner are not been honest about this.

·        It would be better if CYC got an independent officer to assess this.

o       Once Anthony has all the information in the he will get an  independent assessment.

·        Diary forms are impossible to fill in as we cannot obtain the numbers of the trains without trespassing.

o       Anthony apologised for the inconvenience

·        As they are parking there for 7 hours at a time with the engine running, did they say why they do that?

o       They have been sketchy with the replies so I will be feeding this back

·        Maybe they are exempt form the law when the train is stationary

·        A letter was sent to freightliner 5 years ago and we never got a response

·        Have approached the drivers and one driver turned the engine off and another driver said they have been told not to turn them off.  How much air pollution is it causing?

Freightliner declined the invitation to attend the meeting here tonight.

Don Parlabean gave a clear brief on what the Older People’s Assembly is and what it can do for the older people in York.

• This is not a political group and does not represent any particular political party.
• It was the Department of Work and Pensions that wanted to set up groups to help the older people and wanted to talk to them.
• A group was wanted in each Local Authority area.
• The group is York has snowballed and is now a very important and crucial advisory group to the council.
• We have 3 reps that go to meetings.
• We helped to campaign for free bus passes and we also campaign on behalf of disabled people.

·       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.

July 2008

This was an opportunity for residents to talk to their ward councillors, report any street environment or any other ward-based issues.  Residents also had a chance to view the plans for the Derwenthorpe Housing development.