Agenda item

6pm  Ward team surgery with your local councillors and Safer Neighbourhood Team.

6.20pm Friends of York Cemetery:  what there is to do at the cemetery and the various guided walks available.

6.30pm  Discus bungalow update:  A representative from the Project Steering Group will update you on progress.

6.40pm  Safer Neighbourhood Team Update.

6.50pm  Have Your Say.

Round Two of the Ward Committee took place from 6:25-7:30pm in the Grade II* listed Chapel of York Cemetery.

1. Ben Drake, Unison - Strike of Council Officers.

No Council officers were available to serve at the Ward Committee meeting due to a two-day strike on 16-17^th July.  Cllr Taylor had invited Ben Drake, a resident of Fishergate Ward and a Unison Convenor to explain to residents why staff were taking strike action. 

Ben Drake said the employers’ offer of 2.45% (or 3.3% for the lowest paid) did little to keep pace with inflation running at 4.8%.  Negotiations on pay had now broken down and while the union apologized to residents about disruption it was now the only remaining method for staff to protest.

2. Andy Haigh – Neighbourhood Policing Team

Andy relayed the latest statistics showing reported crime reducing from 263 last year in the period since April to 188 this year for the same period.

Residents had requested action on parking offences which is something now handled by Council parking wardens rather than Police.  However, joint-working had taken place on this issue.

The Police had focused on two other priorities: burglary, which is down from 24 in the first few months of last year to 11 in the same period this year, and car crime which has increased from 13 in the same months last year to 21 this year.

Andy Haigh also reported incidences of antisocial behaviour falling from 76 per month last year to 61 in April and 59 in May this year.

3. Discus bungalow developments – Marie Lodge, Tees Valley Housing.

Marie presented the latest plans for the Discus bungalow redevelopments.  The plans are now finalized and likely to go to Planning Committee in August.  Cllr. Taylor is likely to be on the Planning Committee which will consider the application so took no part in the discussion, asking that if residents had any concerns that they be raised with Cllr D’Agorne. 

Baz Ward commented from the floor that the ‘Discus Bungalow Development Association’ residents group were supportive of the plans as had been presented. 

One query was raised about properties which are to be sold, questioning whether they may be sold to speculators who might rent them out as student lettings.  Marie Lodge said that this was not possible as they must be offered to residents on the Housing List as affordable housing.

4. History of York Cemetery – Alwyn Fletcher.

Sitting in the fabulous Grade II* Listed chapel building, we were treated to a talk on the history of York Cemetery.  Alwyn informed us of the founding of the Cemetery in 1837 and its 100-year monopoly from 1855 when all city centre churchyards were closed to burials.  The private owners abandoned it in 1984 erroneously claiming it was full.  This is not the case and it is now run by the Friends of York Cemetery Trust which purchased the site in 1987 for £1.  The Cemetery boasts 24 acres of wildlife habitat in Fishergate Ward and 500 War Graves therein.  www.yorkcemetery.org.uk

Any Other Business.

a) Rose Kent thanked the Council for £175,000 for the further development of The Melbourne Centre.  The money represents the majority of £200k designated for community use from the sale of the land at Kent Street for an hotel.  The 25k remainder has been awarded to Space 109 on Walmgate.  Cllr. Taylor explained that the “Barbican” money had to be retained for the benefit of the community close to the Barbican and was pleased that this had been achieved.

b) Councillors reminded residents that they may now bid for money for Local Improvement Schemes for next year 2008-09.  Ideally bids should fit into the three ambition headings for Fishergate and must be returned by 1^st August.  Please contact either Councillor for advice about making a bid.

c) Cllr. D’Agorne informed the meeting of the recent success in persuading Council to consider a trial of 20mph zones in residential streets.  Despite the reluctance of Council officers, the project which had won support from Fishergate Ward Committee, surprisingly gained further support from Councillors in the two main parties ensuring that formal consultation on a trial can now go forward.  Residents in Grange Street, Grange Garth, Hartoft St., Farndale St., and Levisham St. voted in favour of the trial and should now see this come to fruition.

d) The Fulford Corridor traffic study is moving slowly forward.  Cllr. D’Agorne revealed that more cycle lanes from Cemetery Road to Heslington Lane, and bus priority measures are likely to be the first steps.  However, the design brief is still under discussion.  Councilors will endeavour to ensure that consultation is maintained with local residents and shopkeepers in Fishergate.