Agenda item

Ward priorities and budget

Hear more about the ward funding available and how it can be used to improve the area.

Minutes:

Cllr Taylor outlined three suggested priorities for Ward expenditure during 2016/17:

·                a welcoming community, working together

·                promoting sustainable transport and increasing road safety

·                maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment.

 

Residents confirmed they were in agreement with these priorities.

 

Cllr Taylor gave an overview of the Ward Budget for 2015/16 and Cllr D’Agorne provided further detail on how that money had been allocated:

 

Annual Ward Budget                                                                                £7,075

Community Care Fund                                                                £3,538

Annual Pride in York Fund                                                         £4,717

 

Total                                                                                            £15,330

 

Allocated:

 

·         Grant of £2500 to Melbourne Centre (workshop)                   

·         Grant of £500 to St Lawrence PCC (floor in community hall  

·         Grant of £1000 to St Lawrence PCC (community hall kitchen)

·         Grant of £700 to Friends of Danesmead Wood (petrol strimmer & support from TCV to write a management plan)          

·         Payment of £881.53 to CYC to cover the shortfall in the grounds maintenance budget                                                                                    

 

Total Allocated                                                                                      £5,581.53

 

No funds were allocated from the One Off Pride in York Fund or the Ward Highway Programme Budget in 2015/16.  Unspent amounts from each budget were carried forward into 2016/17.

 

 

 

The Ward budgets for 2016/17 are as follows:

 

Total Ward Budgets:  £24,766

Ward Highway Programme: £11,790

plus amounts carried forward for each budget from 2015/16.

 

Cllrs Taylor and D’Agorne provided an outline of suggested ward funded projects for 2016/17:

 

·                         Purchase and installation of Starpath luminous discs on the Walmgate Stray path:

£1730.60 for discs 5 metres apart

£2843.73 for discs 3 metres apart

 

A number of issues were raised and discussed, including the perception of improved safety on the Stray, intrusion into the Stray, the protection of wildlife and whether the installation would fully address the (mainly) student concerns. 

 

ACTION: Claire Taylor to confirm that the outlined costs do include the actual installation of the discs.

Post Meeting note – confirmed that the figures quoted do include installation costs.

 

·                     Allocation of £1,000 to fund events designed to enhance community engagement in the Ward (eg. Fishergate Summer Fair)

 

·                     Improvements to the Fulford Cross allotments path (£1500)

Cllr D’Agorne explained that the cost would involve the supply and lay of 6-8t of recycled stone, resulting in a raising of the path level at the river end and the repair of pot holes between the Steiner and Danesgate schools.

 

·                     Provide and construct approximately 25 linear metres of ecogrid parking creating approximately 9 new parking spaces alongside the Danesgate/Bridge Centre.  Post Meeting Note:  This project did not go ahead.

 

 

 

AGREED: It was agreed that

·                     £2,843.72 should be made available to spend on the purchase and installation of Starpath luminous discs, 3m apart, subject to feasibility.

·                      £1,000 be allocated to fund events designed to enhance community involvement in the Ward.

·                     £1,500 be made available for the supply and lay of recycled stone designed to improve the Fulford Cross allotments path.

 

A resident suggested that the gates at the allotment end of the Low Moor allotments path be replaced with an arrangement similar to that at the university end in order to avoid cycling hold-ups and difficulties for cyclists with trailers.  Cllrs Taylor and D’Agorne said that all proposals would be welcomed and considered.

 

A resident raised a number of environmental concerns arising as a result of the area located at the end of Millennium Bridge being used as a social area, namely the responsible disposal of litter and the singeing of grass caused by the use of disposable barbeques.  Cllr D’Agorne explained that matter of litter disposal was already in hand and that the Friends of New Walk had offered to purchase fire-proof bins, although arrangements would still need to be made for the emptying of these.  The cost for this service would be £500 in the first year and then £350 for the following few years, however the frequency with which the bins would be emptied has yet to be clarified.  Possible solutions to preserving the grass were discussed, including providing bricks, paving slabs or installation of barbeque pits.  It was agreed that the idea of supplying paving slabs be explored further.

 

Cllr D’Agorne outlined the Ward Highways projects suggested so far for 2016/17, explaining that whilst costs had been sought, they were not yet available.

 

·                     A low planter feature and bicycle racks on Broadway island

·                     A top coat and re-surfacing for part of the walk at Blue Bridge Lane

·                     A crossing refuge on Cemetery Road

·                     An end of route sign for the cycle path at the junction between Fulford Road and Fulford Cross

·                     A signpost to the Danesgate Centre, Steiner School and the allotments at Fulford Cross

·                     A walking/cycling sign to indicate the route through the allotments to Fulford Cross

·                     Refreshing the signs at the approach to St George’s School

 

It was noted that it may be possible to get some of these projects funded from other sources.

 

A resident raised the issue of improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians at the junction of Broadway and Fulford Road.  Two options were discussed: directing cyclists away from the corner, and creating a wider path on the left for a segregated cycle path followed by the possible creation of a toucan crossing.  All agreed that there were a number of complexities involved.

 

ACTION:  Cllr D’Agorne agreed to investigate the feasibility of improving cyclist and pedestrian safety at this junction in conjunction with the cycling officer Andy Vose.

 

One resident raised the issue of rainwater flooding in the area from Danum Drive to Danum Road.

 

ACTION:Cllrs agreed to follow this up.

 

The meeting discussed the need for improved speed control measures to re-inforce the 20mph zones outside the primary schools.  A speed indicator was suggested, however Cllr Taylor explained that the costs of such signs were exorbitant. Cllr D’Agorne commented that there was a city-wide review of this issue and that it was possible that red road surfacing could be introduced as a driving speed control measure.

 

            It was noted that the road markings indicating the direction of entry on the access road outside the shops on Broadway had become too faded for motorists to follow appropriately. Cllr D’Agorne commented that although it should be possible to get the signage repainted, the access road was not owned by the council and that the shopkeepers may wish to form an association to deal with any issues of joint concern.

 

            Residents were encouraged to report any highways maintenance issues, such as faulty traffic lights, to the council’s general number: 01904 551550.

 

            Further suggestions for Ward Highways Budget would be welcomed and could be emailed to Claire Taylor at: c.taylor@york.gov.uk    Tel: 01904 551810.

 

 

 

 

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