Agenda and minutes

You will have an opportunity to talk to:

• Cllr Madeleine Kirk
• Cllr Sian Wiseman
• Ginnie Shaw, Neighbourhood Management Officer
• The Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team
• The Street Environment Service
• Children and Young People’s Services

PLUS:

• Information on the Sustainable Communities Act.  We need your ideas on how York could benefit from the opportunities presented by this Act.
• A display from York Libraries giving details  on the changes being made to the Central Library.

1.1       Local residents had an opportunity to speak with Cllr Madeleine Kirk, Cllr Siân Wiseman, Angus Young (Street Environment), Sharron Hutchinson (Children & Young People’s Services), and the Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team.

1.2            Residents had the opportunity to examine the plans detailing York Central Library’s redevelopment and speak with Sarah Garbacz of the council’s Libraries and Heritage department. They were also able to speak with Mora Scaife, Principal Neighbourhood Manager, about the implementation of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

2.1             Residents were welcomed to the meeting.

2.2       The minutes of the last meeting were approved.

Fiona Williams, Head of Libraries and Heritage will tell you about the possibilities being presented by plans to transform the Central Library into an Explore Learning Centre.

Sarah Garbacz of Libraries and Heritage spoke about the Libraries service and the transformation of York Central Library into an Explore centre.

The following points were noted:

3.1       The city currently has 14 libraries, 1 mobile library and a home library service. Around 80,000 people visit the Central Library every year, and over 1 million books are lent out annually.

3.2       The initial phase of the redevelopment will commence in September 2009, lasting about 8 weeks.

3.3       The amount of structural changes taking place will be limited, due to the listed status of the building. The intention is to remove some of the partitions that have been added over the years, and change entrance to the main hall to give it a more open feel.

3.4       Some features to be added include: a café, some 30,000 books and a self-service system for checking out books that will enable staff to assist customers around the library.

3.5             The library will extend its opening hours to Sunday.

Residents made the following comments:

a)                 Where are the extra books be stored?

a.      This will be for the designers to figure out. The amount of shelving space will be increasing.

b)                 What will happen to the Morrell library?

a.      This will be integrated into the main library.

c)                  Where will the children’s library be moved?

a.      Where the fiction area currently is. The ceiling will be lowered to reduce noise.

d)                 Will the noise levels increase or lower?

a.      They will remain about the same. There will still be quiet study areas available.

e)                 Are the books fed into the district libraries?

a.      Yes, every six months the books are rotated.

f)                    Are the redevelopments being publicised to the general public?

a.      Yes, starting with these ward committees. Something is currently being produced with the help of Marketing & Communications for the public to have a look at.

Mora Scaife, Principal Neighbourhood Manager, will provide information on the Sustainable Communities Act.

Mora Scaife from the Neighbourhood Management Unit gave a presentation on the Sustainable Communities Act, and the City of York Council’s plan for implementing it.

The following points were noted:

4.1       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.

4.2       The scope of the Act is very broad, covering social, economic and environmental issues; anything that can promote the sustainability of local communities.

4.3       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.

4.4       The deadline for suggestions is the 8^th 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 made the following comments:

a)                 Why is the deadline so soon?

a.      This was unavoidable. The deadline for submitting all ideas to the Local Government Association is July 31^st, and they have to go through the citizens’ panel and Local Strategic Partnership before that.

b)                 Is it a one off?

a.      Not as far as we know. The suggestion is that it could recur, possibly annually.

c)                  How will we find out if an idea was successful? Is there a redress if not?

a.      This is not in the Act itself.

Sharron Hutchinson will attend to give you the latest update.

Sharron Hutchinson from Children and Young People’s Services gave an update on the Strensall portakabin, and on youth services in the ward.

The following points were noted:

5.1            Temporary planning permission on the portakabin has now lapsed, so there has been no real progress made. However, the cost has been reduced from £15,000 to just under £9,000. They are currently working on a partnership agreement with Robert Wilkinson school.

5.2.1       The URBIE bus is continuing to work in the area, engaging with children and youths on relevant topics. £300 has been secured for an event in early August

5.2.2       Young people wished to meet with parish councils.  This has been set up.  They would like to meet with ward councillors and present at future ward committee meeting

5.2.3       The pink leaflet details provision in North York.

Residents made the following comments:

a)     It would be nice for young people across the ward to have their voices heard, instead of a ‘mature-voice’ deciding for them.

a.      It is agreed that it would be a good idea to have a children & youth focussed ward committee meeting in the near future.

b)     Are there youth members on the parish councils?

a.      No. Although Peter Jesse will be meeting with young people soon.

5.3            Lynette Nelson was invited to speak briefly about Hurst Hall, situated in the army barracks, and the work that has been going on there, serving families in Strensall village. They run a number of mums & tots groups, and now employ paid staff members as volunteers had dropped out in the past. They will be running a mini Duke of Edinburgh for younger (15-16 yrs) in the summer, as well as a subsidized holiday scheme for kids.

Your opportunity to discuss local issues and concerns with your ward councillors.

Residents made the following comments:

a)     The roads in Strensall are dreadful. They collapse at the margins where cyclists travel.

a.     It has recently been agreed that all roads bar an area of Princess Road are due to be redone. City of York Council have increased funding for road works year on year.

b)     Your Ward newsletter is excellent and full of useful information. It does, however, come through late in some areas; only one week before the ward committee meeting.

a.     It would seem there is a problem with deliveries (this will be followed up). It is suggested that a poster showing the ward committee date could go out once it has been arranged.

c)      Can the speed limit be reduced along parts of Strensall Road?

a.     The police have been consulted, but said there will not be a change in recommendation of speed limits in the area. Will look at feasibility of further vehicle activated signs.

d)     There is quite a high accident rate at Towthorpe crossroads.

a.     Unfortunately, these are not registered unless there is an injury.

e)     What can we do about the cycling paths from Strensall to the ring road?

a.     There is money available and are hoping to see improvements made. Feasibility would need to be investigated however, and the usage of these paths compared to others in the city will be taken into account.

f)        Where did Strensall rank on the cycling survey?

a.     Strensall is not featured in the results summary, and we are unsure exactly where the ward ranked.

g)     Will there be any Playbuilder funding available for Strensall (for improvements to play areas).

a.     This is due to be announced next week.

h)      Can Street Environment sort out area between Earswick end of Strensall Park and Towthorpe Lane? The grass verge encroaches on footpath.

a.     Will chase up. Signs in the area have been cleaned.

i)        Your City and Cycle City survey results not received with some copies of Your Ward.

a.   Will feedback to Marketing and Communications.     

j)        Though ward committee funding allocated for 2009/10, applications for small amounts could be considered.  Contact Neighbourhood Management Unit for information about how to apply.  Do put forward suggestions for Sustainable Communities Act implementation