York Labour News

Labour confident of balancing books after inheriting Lib Dem overspends

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The council’s budget gap is moving in the right direction after it responded to pressures in the first half of the year 2011/12.

The first three month period saw budget pressures of £4.3m as a result of the Liberal Democrat-Conservative inherited budget. Decisive action has now brought the gap down to £921k, with final savings agreed to balance the budget which will be realised in the last quarter.

Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Coun. Julie Gunnell, said:

“There have been a number of tough decisions to balance the budget by year end, which was largely set by the Lib Dems and Conservatives and which did not address the projected growth in adult social care and looked after children.

“The current budget position leaves the council in a much stronger position than at the same time last year. It is an excellent achievement and staff right across the authority are to be commended for their efforts.

“We have been very clear that the budget must be balanced at year end. Tough decisions need to be taken to balance the budget, such as clawing back unspent money from ward committees, but our key services supporting vulnerable people must always be our priority”.

Footy sessions confirmed for Heworth

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Budding Beckhams are being urged to get themselves along to Dodsworth Park for free footy sessions in Heworth ward.

The sessions have just got underway, and will take place every Thursday for the next 13 weeks. They are open to 13 to 16 year olds.

Heworth councillor Tina Funnell said:

“We’re delighted to have agreed the funding for these football sessions, particularly when money for such activities is so tight. This reflects the ward’s commitment to its young people, and the belief that if young people are actively engaged, they will be fit and healthy and take pride in their neighbourhoods”.

The sessions will take place every Thursday between 5pm and 6pm at York St John University’s astroturf pitches, off Heworth Green, and are free of charge to participants. The sessions are fully funded by Heworth Ward Committee.

“I would urge any girls and boys of this age to head along and take advantage of this excellent opportunity”, said Coun. Ruth Potter, also a councillor in Heworth ward. “We are committed to providing children and young people with a variety of activities and are keen to see young people from right across the ward participating. It’s good exercise and a great way to meet new people too”.

Those interested just need to turn up, as there is no need to register in advance.

Cash secured for Pond path revamp

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

A local community group is celebrating after successfully securing £2,000 towards the introduction of a circular path around Chapman’s Pond nature area in Dringhouses.

Labour councillor Anna Semlyen, who is Vice Chair of the Friends of Chapman’s Pond, said the money has been secured from the York Pride Community Challenge Fund and Two Ridings Community Foundation after she made funding bids for the improvement of the area.

She comments:
“The money will pay for a footpath at the pond and nature reserve off Moor Lane in Dringhouses. Although the entire footpath project envisaged is more costly, the money can be used towards match funding to up the budget, while a further £1,200 is available as a result of agreements relating to planning permissions granted locally.
“The aim is to build a circular footway and alter the gate access for people with wheelchairs or prams. It's a great start to what we have planned for the area”.

Further bids are being submitted along with the preparation of a management plan for the nature reserve. And local residents are being urged to attend a clear up morning on 3rd February from 9am.

“Improvements like the path are important to upgrade the leisure amenity of the site”, says Anna. “It’s a wonderful part of the ward and I’m keen to see it better used. It’s important people enjoy but also respect it though and hopefully there will be less need for litter picks in future”.

Anyone with ideas, volunteers or expertise to offer The Friends of Chapman's Pond is invited to submit them to Anna Semlyen cllr.asemlyen@york.gov.uk or to her by post to the Guildhall. Membership of the Group is free.

York students' best-ever GCSE results

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Cllr Janet Looker, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education at City of York Council, has today welcomed the news that York students achieved their best ever GCSE and Key Stage 4 results last year, well above the national average.

In the academic year 2010/11, 84 per cent of young people in York achieved five or more A* to C grades, an improvement of three percentage points from the previous year. The percentage of pupils gaining five or more A*–C grades, including English and Maths GCSE, is 62 per cent, which is also an improvement of three percentage points from 2010.

Cllr Looker said, “To see so many schools improving further on last year’s excellent performance is a real testimony to the hard work and dedication of teachers and students across the city. The highest ever number of York students will leave school well positioned to realize their future ambitions, whether entering the workforce or going on to higher education.”

Additional funding to improve York's air quality

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

City of York Council has announced that it has received an additional £19.5k funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to help improve York’s air quality.

According to information provided by the council, York was successfully awarded £68,500 funding through this scheme in April 2011, which is being used to fund a Low Emission Zone feasibility study and to establish an Eco-Stars fleet recognition scheme in the city.

The additional funding has been allocated specifically for the Eco-Stars fleet recognition scheme, which is a voluntary scheme designed to provide recognition, guidance and advice to operators of goods vehicles, buses and coaches.

The aim of a fleet recognition scheme in York is to reduce vehicle emissions, encourage the wider uptake of alternatively fuelled vehicles and raise public awareness about low emission vehicles.

The scheme will be used aimed initially at buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and the council’s fleet, and expanded later to include taxis and other large fleets. The scheme will introduce an 'advanced' level of recognition for alternatively fuelled vehicles and would investigate the possibility of requiring vehicle ratings to be displayed by vehicles entering a proposed Low Emission Zone.

Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for City Strategy, said: “This is welcome news. We really do need to encourage the use of cleaner vehicles for the future if we’re to start cleaning up York’s air.”

Council Leader pulls pints on evening bar shift

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

York’s council leader got behind the bar for a shift pulling pints to learn more about the pub trade in the city this week.

Coun. James Alexander, a former Chair of the council’s Licensing Committee, will spend the evening with Steve Bradley, landlord of the Fulford Arms.

Cllr. Alexander says;“Times are tough for many in the pub trade but Steve is making a good fist of it at the Fulford Arms. Many landlords say to me it doesn’t feel like a level playing field when the supermarkets are stacking alcohol high and selling it low, and I personally believe duty should be increased for supermarkets to offset a lower duty on lower strength pub pints”.

Coun. Alexander said business rates are another issue of concern, and one that is unclear to many people, who believe they are set and kept by the council;

“Business rates are set by the Government and collected by the council, who then passes this income onto the Government”, he said. “The Government then returns a proportion to each area, which in York’s case is £45m less than our businesses pay in business rates.
“The Chancellor needs to do more to help businesses like Steve’s who are up against it in times of decreased disposable income. Pubs are one of the first businesses to suffer”.

Steve Bradley, publican of the Fulford Arms, said;

“I’m delighted to put James through his paces by getting him behind the bar for a shift. It’s important that politicians understand what businesses do and what sorts of challenges they are faced with. Business rates are a real problem and for all the Government’s talk of growing the private sector, there is much more it could be doing to support businesses like mine”.

Government calls for councils to spend reserves York hasn't got

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Government calls for councils to spend their budget reserves cannot be met in York, as its reserves are at the legal minimum.

Reserves are a fund that a council must legally hold in order to tackle unexpected problems that arise each year. Finance officers at the council have confirmed reserves held by City of York Council in 2007 were around £11m, but the previous Liberal Democrat administration had almost halved this to £6m before Labour took office seven months ago.

Labour leader of City of York Council, Coun. James Alexander, said:
“Eric Pickles says councils should be using their reserves to balance their budgets and make up for the shortfall in Government funding. Unfortunately this doesn’t apply to York, as the Liberal Democrats left office seven months ago with what officers confirm was the legal minimum of reserves, meaning we cannot use any reserves to meet the shortfall in Government funding.

“The Liberal Democrats in York did not save in the good times to pay for the bad and this has made Labour’s task of mitigating the worst excesses of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government even harder. We will take tough decisions now to secure the future.”

“Increased costs in adult care and looked after children coupled with a series of budget black holes left by the Liberal Democrats have also meant that any unexpected savings this year have had to be used to close in year budget pressures. The inherited budget black holes include £800k in housing and £700k in communities and neighbourhoods.

“It is a common misconception that the 2.5% council tax equivalent offered to councils by the Government to freeze council tax is a grant, when in fact it is a loan to be repaid next year. Many councils will use their reserves to pay back the loan next year, but the Liberal Democrats in York left office without leaving this option to the new administration.

“So if the council accepts the loan, further cuts or council tax increases will be needed next year.”

Conservative councillor criticised over "prejudiced" remark

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

A Conservative councillor has been criticised over his assertion that diversity was something he did not agree with - and should not be an objective of the Council.

Coun. Chris Steward made the unlikely outburst as Chair of the council’s Effective Organisation Scrutiny Committee, and when asked to retract his remark, refused to do so.

Labour committee member Coun. David Scott said he was taken aback by his fellow councillor’s arrogance, commenting:
“This Council has already recognised that its workforce is failing to reflect the community it represents and is striving to move forward to an “excellent” rating in this area. Coun. Steward, like all councillors, is supposed to promote diversity as a key objective of the Council. How he expects people to interpret his comment is anyone’s guess, but mine was that he places no value on difference, and presumably wishes to see a society of clones”.
And bizarrely, Coun. Steward is his Group’s named substitute on the Council’s Equality Advisory Group (EAG).

“His openly prejudiced outlook is breathtaking”, adds Coun. Scott. “One of the functions of the committee he chairs is to oversee the implementation of the Council’s diversity objective, in this case in relation to its workforce. Given this statement, his position as Chair of that committee is untenable and he should now do the decent thing and resign. If he does not do so, his leader needs to sack him as Chair and send him on a diversity awareness course as a priority”.

Coun. Gerard Hodgson also sits on the committee, and challenged the Chair to retract his comments. He says:
“In considering the Workforce Plan report at yesterday’s meeting, I was surprised and extremely disappointed to hear the Chair’s views. Our workforce is a diverse one and I’m sure staff will see this as a rather unsavoury thing to say when the council is an organisation that values difference. At least it does as a Labour council.
“Coun. Steward should do the right thing and resign from his position, if he is unable to afford staff and residents the respect they deserve”.

City centre wi-fi reaches 1,000,000 hits

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The City of York Council have confirmed that the city centre wi-fi trial has now had over one million hits since it went live in mid-November.

The trial covers St Helen’s Square and Coney Street, providing a free wireless connection open to laptops, smart phones or any other internet-enabled devices in the area.

Councillor Julie Gunnell, Cabinet member, Corporate Services, City of York Council, said;

“This service really puts York on the national electronic map and I’m delighted that the service has now had over 1 million hits. We know that it’s been a bumper Christmas in terms of footfall and the figures show that the trial is proving really popular. York is well known for its iconic buildings and colourful history, but it’s also a dynamic, innovative city and it’s fantastic that residents, visitors and local businesses can all benefit from this trial."

The wi-fi initiative is part of the Labour council’s Reinvigorate York and Digital York initiatives, which aim to improve and enhance the quality of the city’s public spaces and York’s digital and IT services.

Cllr James Alexander is pictured with Shadow Business Minister Chi Onwurah launching the wi-fi scheme back in November.

Ftr buses to go as council looks at future of bus network

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

As The Press reported on Boxing Day, the Labour Council is moving to fulfill our manifesto commitment to end the use of the big purple Ftr buses around York.

Cllr Dave Merrett, the Executive member with responsibility for City Strategy, said;

"In May, we decided not to renew the agreement between First and the council on the ftr.

"Discussions have been taking place about how to provide an acceptable replacement for users of the No. 4 services to the University of York and Acomb, and this is being discussed along with other possible public transport improvements."

The council has also announced that Cllr Merrett will be asked to approve next week a wide-ranging review of York's bus network, which will involve working with partner organisations and soliciting views from households and bus passengers across the city.

Street lighting overhaul planned

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A major new street lighting strategy is to be devised after an assessment revealed a significant percentage of columns are unsafe.

The council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, Coun. Dafydd Williams made the commitment after he and his former colleague, Coun. Janet Looker, concluded a review of the state of street lighting in the city.

Coun. Williams said:

“The picture isn’t good and reflects years of chronic under-investment in street lighting in the city by the previous administration. Our contractor is in the process of cutting down lighting columns and taping them up in various parts of the city, as they are unsafe and pose a risk to the safety of the public. I’m afraid this is the lasting legacy of the Liberal Democrats.

“What is doubly-bad for the public is these stumps then only leave eyesores dotted around the city, which nobody wants to see.

“We know that 7% of all columns have been condemned in each of the past two years, and clearly we cannot allow this trend to continue, so I will be working up a strategy with officers for a replacement programme in the months ahead.

“This strategy will be for complete replacement of any of the city’s street lighting in need of replacing, as only on this basis will we be able to realise savings that would not be open to us through dealing with the problem in piecemeal fashion”.

Coun. Williams said further details on the lighting strategy would come forward in the new year.

Government increased council's housing debt

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The council will be hit by an even higher level of debt than previously thought as a result of a Government revaluation of its housing assets.

Changes had already been agreed over two years ago whereby in the future the council would receive all income from its housing tenants, which has been going direct to Government and been redistributed.

The Government has valued the council’s housing business as worth £113m, £136m and now £146m in the space of the past two years, each time pushing up what it says the council can handle in debt to pay off once the income changes have been made.

Cabinet Member for housing, Coun. Tracey Simpson-Laing, says the changes have been engineered by the current Government to pass more debt onto councils already receiving a 28% cut in funding. She says:

“A simple change such as changing the way rents are charged from increasing by RPI rather than CPI has added millions to our level of debt and the Council will have to now borrow £122m, up from £89m so that we can take control of our housing stock and the rents. This, at the same time as the negative affect this will have on tenants, represents a double-whammy for the city.

Councillors trained as Snow Wardens ready for that white Christmas...

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000

York Labour councillors have been getting their winter boots on in preparation for the first sign of heavy snowfall.

Councillors joined up recently to undertake training for their new roles as snow wardens in their local communities, in the event of severe weather this winter.

They will work with other residents to help keep cul-de-sacs and side streets clear of snow, as gritters concentrate on the city’s main routes.
Labour councillor Barbara Boyce said of the role:
"Snow wardens will be on hand to help clear the snow - with help from friends and neighbours - on the minor roads, cul-de-sacs and those places we don't have the capacity to grit or clear. I hope more people will sign up so that we get as much snow warden coverage as possible across the city”.

The idea for snow wardens originated in Calgary, Canada, where a group known as the Snow Angels committed themselves to helping other more vulnerable members of the community in cases of severe weather, something that has inspired councillors to get involved.

Fellow Labour councillor David Levene commented:
"I encourage everyone who’s able to to help out in times of severe weather - so please offer to give your snow wardens a hand, or better still, volunteer to become one yourself by ringing York 551551”.

Council Executive mini-reshuffle

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Further to the recent news that Cllr Ruth Potter had chosen to stand down from the City of York Council executive, the Labour Group elected Westfield councillor Dafydd Williams to take her place and a mini-reshuffle was undertaken as a result. The new Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods is now Cllr Williams, who said;

“I’m delighted that my Labour colleagues have put their confidence in me to join the Cabinet and I hope I can play a significant role in helping to deliver Labour’s vision for taking the city forward”.

Meanwhile Guildhall ward councillor Janet Looker, will take over as the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People (moving from the Communities and Neighbourhoods portfolio). Cllr Looker said;

“This portfolio is one that I’m very familiar with, although there have been significant policy changes recently, particularly with the new Government, but I’m very excited to be taking it on, and the opportunities it will give me to get out and about visiting schools again”.

York home repossession claims up

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Home repossessions claims in York were up in the third quarter of 2011 to 40, a 14% increase on the same quarter in 2010.

Of those claims, 25 repossession orders have been made. Labour’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Coun. Tracey Simpson-Laing said the figures were cause for concern, and that the Government was not focussed on the real financial problems facing ordinary people today.

She says:
“Repossessions are becoming more of a problem, and for the past year between quarter 4 of 2010 and quarter 3 of 2011, claims are up 16% on the previous 12 month period.

“The Government’s response to the current housing crisis is to promote further home ownership. That in itself is not wrong, but on its own represents a failure to grasp the reality of a lack of affordability both in the owner occupier sector and in the increasingly in the private rented sector.

“People simply want somewhere affordable to live, but I’m afraid we are moving to a position where people and are less and less in a position to make a preference over type of tenure – the market is reducing any options they once had”.

Coun. Simpson-Laing says banks need to adopt more flexibility with people struggling to pay their mortgages:

“Many, many more people are going to be made redundant due to the Government’s economic policies, and I can’t see how it is in banks’ best interests to repossess their homes, rather than giving them time to get back on their feet”.

Labour's Mo Bros have raised over £1000 for charity so far

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

A team of Labour councillors has topped the £1000 mark in its charity fundraising efforts this month.

‘York Labour Mo Bros’ are growing moustaches throughout the month of Movember, and collecting money for male cancer charities.

But uniquely, the team now includes a long-serving councillor who has shaved his beard and moustache off as his first act of fundraising, after he made the commitment if the team reached £1000.

Coun. Brian Watson will now join his colleagues in growing back his moustache, but with a three week handicap.

Coun. Watson says:
“After about four decades unbroken of having facial hair, my face is feeling a bit chilly at the moment. It’s a really worthwhile cause though and well worth it, and I’m pleased to have got involved in this bit of fun with my Labour colleagues.
“I’m sure I can overtake them, at least in sprouting hair over the next ten days, if not in money raised. They’ve done brilliantly and the team wants to thank everyone that’s given so generously over the past three weeks”.

The team is currently at £1,177 and counting. If you can, please donate now at: http://mobro.co/YorkLabour2011

Free cavity wall and loft insulation for York residents

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

City of York Council has teamed up with the Yorkshire Energy Partnership to offer free home insulation to York residents.

The ‘Warmer Winter’ scheme, launched today, in a new move to tackle fuel poverty and keep the cold at bay during the freezing winter months will also help residents save up to £310* on their fuel bills.

Subject to a free, no obligation home survey, householders can get free loft and cavity wall insulation in their homes, on a first-come first-served basis. The scheme is open to all private homeowners in the City of York Council area, including landlords.

The £100,000 scheme is the first of its kind, and is being funded by national energy providers and City of York Council.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services, City of York Council hopes it will greatly reduce fuel bills and improve the health of those most susceptible to illnesses over the winter months:

In a statement issued by the council earlier this week, she said: “Insulating your home is the best way to keep your home warmer in winter – and because of the extra heat you’re keeping in your house, you’ll be able to turn your heating down and save money on your bills.

“This is the first scheme we’ve offered to all residents in York – and we’re not bound by criteria regarding age group or income benefits. Quite simply, the offer is open to all homeowners and landlords, so we’re expecting a lot of interest.

“The deal expires on 31 January 2012, so we’re urging people who are interested to get in touch as soon as possible by calling Yorkshire Energy Partnership on 01904 55 44 06 and quoting ‘Winter Warmer’.”

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a house can lose up to 60 per cent of its heating through its walls and roof – and insulation can help householders save up to £310* per year on their energy bills.

For more information or to claim your FREE insulation, call Yorkshire Energy Partnership on 01904 55 44 06 quoting ‘Warmer Winter’.

*Statistics taken from EST: CWI saves £135 and LI saves £175 - so £310 overall.

Council leader comments on claims that York receves more funding than it needs

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Cllr Alexander said; “We already contribute £45m extra a year in rates to Whitehall than we get back, and before Labour won control of the council, the Government said our funding allocation was fair.

“Now we have taken control and are the only Labour council in North Yorkshire, we are deemed by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to be receiving ‘too much’ money.

“Councils are already seeing 28% reductions in funding over a four year period under this Government, this council has seen £21m of cuts in February under the previous administration, and the Government is forcing a further £22m of cuts on the council over the next two years, which will impact on vulnerable people.

“If the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats try reducing funding to York even further, Labour will be fighting it every step of the way.”

Council Cabinet Member Stands Down

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Councillor Ruth Potter, formerly the Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Young People, has stood down from her Cabinet role on City of York Council. The Labour councillor for Heworth Ward, who also has a full-time job working for York Wheels, has said she wants to spend more time as ward councillor focussing on issues in the Heworth area and give herself a better work-life balance.

Coun. Potter is a longstanding member of the Labour Group who was chosen to be part of Labour's new ruling Cabinet following the party's victory in the local elections in May. Given the Education, Children and Young People portfolio, Coun. Potter has made a big impact in her brief time in the Cabinet. She has recently been pressing the Government for a fairer system of funding education to get a better deal for York and has developed the York Education Partnership, a Co-operative of schools to work collaboratively despite new challenges raised by new academies.

Coun. James Alexander, Labour Leader of City of York Council said;

"I am very sorry to be losing Ruth from my team as she for many years been a major player in the Labour Group and she will be missed in the Cabinet. But I entirely understand her reasons for wanting a better work-life balance and wanting to focus more on issues in her ward. I am pleased that we will still be able to draw upon Ruth's help and experience from the backbenches."

Coun. Ruth Potter said;

"I have enjoyed my time on the Cabinet and I hope I have made a positive difference to Education and Children's Services. I am looking forward to being free to focus more attention on improving services for the people of Heworth and having a better work-life balance. Labour is making great strides in improving every day lives in York since winning the council election in May from the Liberal Democrats. I am very supportive of what Coun. James Alexander and the Labour Council are achieving and I will continue to be supportive from the backbenches."

Council Leader and Jon Trickett MP visit Future Prospects

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The council’s leader, Coun. James Alexander, was joined by a Yorkshire MP when he visited Future Prospects on Wednesday 16th November to discuss the help being offered to get people into work.

The visit coincided with York Business Week, a week of events designed to ensure York supports those jobs it already has, as well as creating new opportunities in the future.

Speaking before the visit, Coun. Alexander said:
“I’m delighted to be joined in York Business Week by Jon Trickett, MP for Hemsworth in West Yorkshire who is interested in what we are doing here in York to support and reskill people to get into work.

“I’m delighted to be able to show him how Future Prospects is working for local people, and giving them the tools they need to progress in what is an increasingly competitive jobs market. We will be visiting a scheme running in Newgate Market, which is teaching those involved the entrepreneurial skills needed to succeed in business.

“Jobs and economic growth are the number one priority for this Labour administration as we believe it is most socially beneficial when people provide for themselves, helping to create economic prosperity at the same time. It’s critical at a time when the Government is hell-bent on adding to the jobless figures, that we fight the tide and do all we can to equip York residents for employment”.