Agenda and minutes
PDF 109 KBVenue: St Mary's Church Hall, North Lane, Haxby
Contact: Ginnie Shaw
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Surgery You will have an opportunity to talk to:
And representatives from:
Plus:
Minutes: 1.1Local residents had the opportunity to speak to Cllrs Richard Watson and Paul Firth; Iain Dunn (Street Environment Officer); PCSO Tom Laurie from the Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team; Fiona Williams (Head of Libraries and Heritage); Mora Scaife, Ginnie Shaw and Toby Knight (Neighbourhood Management Unit); and Sharron Hutchinson (Children and Young People’s Services). 1.2Residents had the opportunity to find out more about the Sustainable Communities Act and the plans for the Central Library. |
|
|
Welcome and minutes Minutes: 2.1 Cllr Paul Firth welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2.2 The minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed. |
|
|
Volunteering in the ward Natasha Almond from York Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) will be present to talk about volunteering in the ward and the city. Minutes: Natasha Almond of York Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) gave a presentation on the Volunteer Centre and the services provided for voluntary and community groups, including setting up, funding advice and a community accounting service. CVS are trying to postcode volunteering opportunities. She distributed various leaflets, particularly focussing on young people.
Residents had the following questions:
a) Are costs incurred by volunteers re-paid?
Response was that reasonable out of pocket expenses are usually paid.
b) How much is currently paid to re-imburse use of volunteer’s own car?
Response was 42 pence per mile (40 pence of which is not taxed).
Cllr Firth thanked Natasha Almond for her attendance.
|
|
|
York Central Library A representative from Libraries and Heritage will tell you about the possibilities presented by plans to transform the Central Library into an Explore Learning Centre. Minutes: Fiona Williams, Head of Libraries and Heritage, gave a presentation on the plans to transform the Central Library into an Explore Learning Centre. The concept originated in Sweden and builds on the success of Explore centres in Acomb and New Earswick.
The following points were noted: 4.1 Books are still 80% of the Library business; in addition to the 14 buildings and mobile library, there is a home library service run by the WRVS that they would like to expand. They are asking some communities which books should be stocked. 4.2 Free internet access is available for York residents and a world class enquiry service; residents interested in family history can access Ancestry.com for free. 4.3 IT training is available on a one to one basis, 1 hour free. 4.4 Transformation of Acomb library into an Explore, including a café and learning rooms has increased its use threefold. 4.5 The Central Library is York’s flagship library, built in 1927. Phase 1 of the changes will take the ground floor back to its original size. The target is to double its use to 1 million visits per year, encouraging people to stay all day by provision of a café (which will also provide catering for adult education); and to open on Sundays. There is an aspiration that community groups will use the building (this is free from 1 April 2009). Books will be more evident and increase to 120,000. Library staff will be more accessible to the public. 4.6 The plan is for Phase 1 to be complete and the library to re-open by Christmas 2009.
Residents had the following questions: a) Do you receive good quality books from the public? Response was: Yes b) Any progress with move of Haxby library into Memorial Hall? Response was that the move will happen within 5 years c) Which books are the most popular? Response was that the biggest use is of children’s books, followed by fiction d) Will the City Archive be upgraded? Response was that there are long term plans to move the city archives from the City Art Gallery to the reference area of the Central Library, which will double the opening times. An external funding bid has been submitted in order to fund the move. |
|
|
Sustainable Communities Act Mora Scaife will provide a presentation about the Act and what it means to the area. Minutes: Mora Scaife, Principal Neighbourhood Manager, provided a presentation on the Sustainable Communities Act. City of York Council passed a resolution in November 2008 adopting the Act and measures are in hand to implement its provisions.
The following points were noted:
5.1 The Act is aiming to devolve powers from central government to local councils in situations where it is felt that local people will have a better understanding of how to deal with an issue. This is a grassroots initiative, looking to get ideas from local residents. 5.2 The scope of the Act is very broad, covering social, economic and environmental issues; anything that can promote the sustainability of local communities. 5.3 The council is looking for ideas from community groups, parish councils and other groups as well as individuals. These will be examined by a citizens’ panel and agreed upon before forwarding onto the LGA, which will in turn filter it up to the Secretary of State. 5.4 The deadline for suggestions is the 8th of May. The criteria for the suggestions is that it is only something that central government can currently do, and that the granting of the power to local government could be shown to increase the sustainability of the community.
Residents asked the following questions:
a) Will there be any more money available locally because of the Act? For example, could the business rate come back to the local authority? Response was that return of business rate has been suggested as an idea to go forward. It is not known whether or not more money will be available because of the Act b) Why has City of York council signed up? Response was that the Act is a potential opportunity for more say in what goes on in York c) Will suggestions automatically go to the Secretary of State? Response was that they will not. They will go to a citizen’s panel, then CYC, then the Local Government Association, then the Secretary of State. CYC would have to make the idea work in York so it is about the art of the possible. |
|
|
2008/09 Budget update An update on the 2008/09 ward committee budget. Minutes: Cllr Firth summarised the 2008/09 outturn. He reminded residents of the three ward ambitions: reducing anti-social behaviour; increasing road and pedestrian safety; developing pride in our communities. He then referred to the progress of schemes:
Ambition 1: Reducing anti-social behaviour HX-08-02 Street lighting on Orchard Park Completed HX-08-03 Community Rangers Completed HX-08-04 Street lighting on Jubilee Court Completed HX-08-06 Street lighting on Westfield Close Completed HX-08-09 Grant to Active York Partnership Completed HX-08-43a Extra street light in Mallard Way Waiting costs after design work HX-08-43b Lantern conversion, Calf Close Completed
Ambition 2: Increasing road and pedestrian safety HX-08-12a&b Install two vehicle-activated signs Usher Lane & Towthorpe RdCompleted HX-08-44 Improve footpath York Rd to Briergate Completed
Ambition 3: Developing pride in our communities HX-08-21 Grant to CAB for outreach Completed HX-08-24 grant to Haxby & Wigginton YCA Completed HX-08-28a Funding to improve play equipment Ethel Ward Awaiting final report HX-08-28b Funding to improve play equipment At Wigginton Park Cancelled HX-08-32 Install litter bin North Lane Completed HX-08-45 Grant to Wonder Years Completed
2007-08 revenue carry forward schemes HX-05-2g Street lighting on The Village Completed
2007-08 capital slippage schemes HX-07-04 Install drop kerbs at Wandhill And junction of Forestgate & Oak Tree Lane Completed HX-07-18 Street lighting fund Slippage HX-05-02 Windmill Way street lighting Scheme on hold
Residents asked the following questions:
a) the street lighting on the footpath across from Oaken Grove – is it in the 09/10 budget? Response was that it might have been a carry forward from previous years because of the lengthy design and consultation process b) How much did the litter bin on North Lane cost? Response was that it cost £830
|
|
|
Have Your Say Your opportunity to discuss local issues and concerns with your ward councillors. Minutes: Have Your Say!
Residents asked the following questions:
a) What about the 2009-10 budget? Response was that information is available on page 2 of February Your Ward and in the minutes of the last meeting b) What is the progress on the York Road vehicle activated sign (VAS)? Response was that there is funding in the 2009/10 budget for two VAS, on York Road and Towthorpe Road, outgoing route. Possibly fund two from each year’s budget, though have limited life in preventing speeding c) How can vehicle speeds of 80mph on Usher Lane be tackled? Chicanes may be possible solution. There are “It’s our neighbourhood: Watch your speed” available; and 95 Alive forms for residents to complete to build up a case to introduce speeding restrictions d) July 2008 Cllr Watson wrote to the Chief Constable about reductions in police numbers. Has he received a reply? Response was that none had been received. e) Facility for having ears syringed has been withdrawn from Haxby so now have to go to walk-in centre on Monkgate. It’s a six week process from start to finish. Is Haxby only area affected? Response was that this seems to be the case. Nurses have to be trained and had refused. f) Please express appreciation to whoever responsible for cleaning up graffiti Response was thanks, will pass onto team doing work g) Mention of £4.5m for Haxby station in Your City: is there any news about when? Response was that ward councillors have invited Ian Stokes to speak at the next ward committee on 8 July. h) Comment on Cycling City: local survey results. Will use to put pressure on to get cycle tracks installed in Wigginton Road and Haxby Road |