Agenda item

Your chance to comment on the provisional local improvement schemes list and find out which schemes the ward committee are proposing to support

5.1             Cllr. Wiseman reported that support from the parish council had been received for the Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) on Ox Carr Lane, which would shortly go ahead.

5.2             Regarding salt bins supported by ward committee funding, councillors reported that three additions had been made to the three existing bins.  The six locations are: Southfields Road outside Health Centre; Church Lane at junction with St Mary’s Close; at the junction near Moor Lane /Flaxton Road; Langton Court, at corner of Balfour Way and Heath Ride.

5.3             Cllr. Wiseman went through the provisional list of Local Improvement Schemes, as listed in Your Ward and appearing on the screen; and invited comments.  The following points were raised:  

ST-09-10: the proposed works are needed sp groups so far prevented from using its facilities can do so.

ST-09-07: this scheme will have to be discussed by the parish council due to its maintenance implications.

ST-09-03: this will pay for continuation of installation and re-fill in winter 2010-11.

ST-09-08: Why is this being funded through the ward committee? The answer given was that it is normal to fund a feasibility study through ward committee funds, it is a good use of funding and it can lever in a much larger sum if the work goes ahead. It will help push this cycle lane up the priority list.

ST-09-19: Sessions are well attended and the scheme was well supported by residents.

ST-09-01: Street lighting.  There will be discussions with parish councils and residents to decide locations.

ST-09-02: Will have to be examined to check feasibility.

ST-09-03: Older Citizens’ Advocacy York had attended the surgery and their service was valued by residents.

ST-09-21: The club is well attended and an oasis in Strensall. It has a membership of over 40, mainly older residents.  The club has many visitors and the benches will provide much needed seating for members and visitors alike.

ST-09-16: Again, this scheme was well supported and the sessions are well used.

The following are reserve schemes that will go ahead if there is a shortfall on the approved schemes because, for example, they do not cost as much as anticipated or for some reason cannot go ahead:

ST-09-15 and ST-09-14

5.4             The following questions were asked and responses given

Q: These schemes seem relatively trivial in these straitened economic times.

A: The ward budget for 2010-11 is £25,110, based on the 2009-10 baseline figure, though the council budget will not be set until late February so the ward budget will not be known until after then.  The public are asked to put forward their suggestions and all views are taken into account and the needs of the different parts of the ward balanced to be as fair as possible.  Ward councillors work together to make decisions.

Q: What if the money is not spent?

A: It is lost, that’s why it’s necessary to have reserve schemes.

Q: Does it really cost £1,320 to install an additional litter bin?

A: Yes, because this figure includes the cost of emptying the bin for three years.

5.5          Having concluded questions and discussion of the provisional list, the ward committee confirmed its approval of the list as presented.