The newspaper of York Green Party FEBRUARY 2020 FISHERGATE WARD

COUNCILLORS ANDY D’AGORNE AND DAVE TAYLOR WORKING HARD GREEN LIGHT FOR YOU Serving Fishergate, south of Lawrence St, Kexby Av, Regent St/ Heslington Rd area, streets either side of Fulford Rd and the Broadway area down to Heslington Lane/ St Oswalds Rd. NEW STUDENT HOMES GET GREEN LIGHT

MEANWHILE ...

After being deferred for several Road through the allotments. months for amendments Councillor Andy D’Agorne was planning approval has now successful in getting a condition been given for replacement of that the cycle path is extended Frederick House next to the past the Police Station to join up ... the sites occupied by Transdev The council really wants local residents to become involved in the police station with new student with the front of the site bus garage on Hospital Fields accommodation. Road and the former hostel on design of the site and is running two This will then be continued to link events including a day ‘planning Despite efforts to secure a direct Ordnance Lane are due to be to the signal controlled crossing for real’ type workshop on 22nd route for the students towards redeveloped for high quality to provide a safe link to riverside February at the Steiner School and the University this hasn’t been 100% Passivhaus council- routes via Alma Terrace. a drop-in event at Cycle Heaven possible. built housing as part of a zero Thurs Mar 5th 6.30pm -8pm. As part of the planning This will mean the 350 students carbon development. You need to book for the workshop at: living in the new building will permission, tenants will have a This could also provide the opportunity ordnancelane.eventbrite.com be walking and cycling across clause prohibiting car ownership to create a better cycle route linking Also see www.york.gov.uk/ Walmgate Stray each day either and parking levels in surrounding the Barracks path to the riverside HousingDeliveryProgramme’ via the Barracks or down Kilburn streets will be monitored annually. paths and Millennium Bridge. Action on Residents’ Parking Review of Respark scheme led by Green Councillor leads to improvements

In 2018, Councillor Andy permits, which the Greens have D’Agorne led a cross party review ensured is frozen this year. of the current Residents’ Parking In July 2019 the new administration system. agreed additional staff resource to In March 2019, the Executive agreed tackle the waiting list. to many of the recommendations Following some recruitment delays, put forward. this means that we are now starting These include a more cost- to catch up on the backlog of effective administration system requests for new zones. allowing for monthly payments, Some new local schemes have online applications and verification recently been introduced (see page as well as speeding up of the 7). Greens have frozen most permit ‘waiting list’ for new requests for charge this year (and aim move to additional Respark zones. lower charges in future). Although excluded from the remit of the scrutiny, many residents commented on the high cost of If you are interested in a new or extended Respark zone in your area contact your ward councillor.

Following a council motion in December pledging to restrict non-essential car use in York’s TAMING THE city centre by 2023 the city has had national and international coverage. This follows an increasing trend, TRAFFIC with Oslo and Ghent pledging to follow the example of cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Cambridge removing through traffic and extending pedestrian priority. Green Councillor Andy D’Agorne who is Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Transport said “This cross-party commitment in York is what is needed to give confidence to bus operators and ‘last mile’ delivery companies. “It is also a strong steer that we later in 2020 – whether new to promote public transport rather can create healthy streets while still or improved bus routes, freight than providing parking for employees. maintaining essential vehicle access transshipment, electric cars, residents Money raised from these schemes for deliveries, services and those with parking zones, strategic cycle route is then used to subsidise public DID YOU mobility needs.” improvements or other ideas. transport. Consultation with residents, Another idea that could be considered Councillor D’Agorne adds, “regardless KNOW? businesses and organisations via the is a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). of the scheme chosen, road traffic The town of Ghent has already new Local Transport Plan (see page 5) A WPL scheme is a charge on contributes over a third of our carbon boosted cycle use by 60% in will help to identify the most effective employers who provide workplace emissions. two years since introducing way to prevent through traffic while parking that has been introduced in “Cutting car use has to be a key a car free city centre maintaining essential access. Nottingham. element of plans to reach zero carbon scheme. All options will be up for discussion It is designed to encourage employers by 2030. Green councillor Denise Craghill is behind budget GREEN HOUSING PLAN TO BOOST proposals for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods. ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND NEW HOMES These proposals include: • An extra £1.8m to improve repairs to council housing stock following a Stock Condition survey. • A new apprenticeship programme and extra staff to support residents regenerating communities and look at innovative ways of boosting affordable and social rented housing. • An extra £1 million over four years to support an energy efficiency retrofit programme for council housing, added to the £1 million already committed in homes all reach the Decent Homes Additional external funding for both Burnholme Centre and at Ordnance July 2019. Standard is an important priority. areas of work has recently been Lane/Hospital Fields Road in Cllr Craghill said “I’m really pleased Improvements to ventilation secured. Fishergate. that these budget plans match with systems can help remove damp and The Council’s Housing Delivery The Council also supports feedback from the city-wide budget condensation and improve health and Programme is progressing and setting community-led housing development consultation when residents gave top living standards.” a standard for the city with high such as the first ‘Yorspace’ co-owned priority to energy efficiency and lower The council also prioritises quality, zero carbon developments. homes at Lowfield Green and has a energy bills. homelessness prevention services, It will build at least 600 new homes programme of self-build plots. “We will act as fast as possible to make work with rough sleepers and other on 8 sites over the next four years of The first 5 at Lowfield are now sold, our houses more energy efficient residents with multiple complex which at least 40% will be affordable. including two to first time buyers. whilst bringing the ‘co-benefits’ of needs. Construction is underway at Lowfield You can add yourself to the Council’s lower energy bills, new jobs and skills This will happen alongside work to Green and public engagement taking Self Build register www.york.gov. and training opportunities.” improve standards in the private place on the next three sites at uk/form/selfbuildregistration She added “Ensuring our council rented sector. Duncombe Barracks in Clifton, the Council switching to green energy City of York Council is switching to a green energy tariff from 1st April 2020.

The Council is switching to a green contract with Npower left to run and also energy tariff from 1st April 2020. purchases its energy jointly with other This means that all the council’s energy councils via the Yorkshire Purchasing bills through its contract with Npower Organisation (YPO), so is limited in terms will support the purchase of renewable of changing supplier immediately. energy via the company’s 100% Green Green Party campaigner, Martina power to support companies that invest “I hope the Council will use the time Energy portfolio. Weitsch, welcomed the move but also only in renewables, such as Ecotricity between now and 2023 when the Over 26% of the company’s current called for the Council to look to buying and Good Energy. contract runs out to negotiate with the supplies is from renewables and this from a 100% renewable provider. “These are companies that take the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation to move will contribute to an increased She acknowledged the limitations of climate emergency seriously and do ensure that the next contract will be demand for renewable energy. the current contract but said “I would not maintain any degree of fossil fuel based on renewable energy only.” The Council still has most of a four year encourage the Council to use its buying burning to aid their profitability. NEW COUNCIL PLAN TO INVEST IN TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROTECTING ESSENTIAL SERVICES

Since forming a joint million over two years will Emergency Scrutiny Committee – increase the city’s tree canopy. administration with the Lib create a new waste and street see box opposite. This will absorb more CO2 Dems, York’s Green councillors environment service with a Green Party Deputy Leader of the emissions whilst also improving have worked to agree a stronger neighbourhood focus, fresh Council Plan that has Council and Executive Member for quality of life in York. to better support and respond to responding to climate change Transport, Andy D’Agorne said: Planting schemes ‘upstream’ local communities. “Our budget is intended to deliver and maintaining essential will also be considered for areas services at its heart. £6.6m of new investment in the action on the climate emergency outside the city boundaries. The newly published plan puts capital budget will pay for new with measurable year-on-year achieving zero carbon emissions waste vehicles, which will be as carbon emission reductions.’ These will both absorb carbon and by 2030 centre stage whilst low carbon as possible as part contribute to ‘slowing the flow’ also prioritising social care, of a strategy to make all council and reducing flooding in York. TREE PLANTING health and well being, children’s vehicles carbon neutral by 2030. services, creating new homes and Work is underway on options for CHILDREN, HEALTH AND supporting well-paid jobs. extending recycling collections SOCIAL CARE The council budget to be and offering green bins to more presented to Full Council at the properties. end of February will implement The budget includes an £150k some of the ambitions in the investment in creating a centrally Plan, whilst also making £4m of managed Climate Change Delivery The budget includes funding savings to balance the budget. Programme which will develop to develop major tree planting a strategic approach throughout schemes as part of a new council Over £4 million additional the authority to reducing the city’s commitment to the “Northern investment in adult social care is carbon emissions. Forest”. a key part of the February budget. This will establish annual carbon This scheme aims to plant an In keeping with councils around budgets, develop policies, launch additional 50 million trees across the country, this is a necessary a major public consultation and the North of England. response to the complex needs ‘A GREENER build partnerships with residents, The council’s capital investment, of an older population and AND CLEANER CITY’ organisations and businesses. which amounts to £3 million our commitment to prioritise This new team of officers will also over the next 5 years includes good quality care for our most Additional funding of over £1 support the work of the Climate provision to buy areas of land to vulnerable citizens. The budget also includes leading on a new sustainable investment in a ‘Safer and transport strategy for York. Inclusive Communities’ fund, a The budget includes capacity to mental health early intervention develop York’s 4th Local Transport fund, improvements to services Plan. for children and young people The Plan which gets underway and initiatives to reduce the shortly, will build on a recent Civic ‘attainment gap’. Trust transport survey, which This will support children and sought the views of a wide range young people from low income of York residents including those families to do well at school. who don’t usually take part in Capital schemes include a pilot surveys. The council will ask in the use of robotics to support local residents and businesses to York’s Green Party councillors: Dave Taylor, Denise Craghill, adult social care as well as help create a long term strategy Rosie Baker and Andy D’Agorne £100,000 additional investment for York. This could involve free measures, rolling out residents’ highways spending over the in adaptions to foster carer bus services funded through a parking to protect our residential next 5 years with more than £7 homes and £500,000 investment congestion or clean air zone, streets from commuters taking million to be spent in the coming in improving the accessibility of extensive residents parking zones the cheapest option, but also year on the improving the roads, school buildings. or a workplace parking levy. enhancing facilities for walking, pavements and cycle paths and Cllr D’Agorne says “we believe cycling and improving bus travel. additional funds allocated to ward that York has the potential to triple committees to promote walking We will shortly have an all- our levels of cycling (including and cycling measures. electric or low emission park electric bikes) by 2030 and this, An additional £700,000 per and ride service with the vast alongside our policy of aiming annum for the next 5 years is for a car-free city centre, has to majority of all our buses required allocated to major engineering A NEW TRANSPORT be a key part of our new Local to be electric or very low improvements to drains and over BLUEPRINT FOR YORK Transport strategy. emission by the end of 2020.” half a million pounds investment “We will be pushing forward The council budget includes to improve the city’s electric Councillor Andy D’Agorne, is clean air and traffic reduction an additional £12.8 million of vehicle charging point network.

CLIMATE EMERGENCY SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Last year, a motion proposed the committee and reports: has been added to all new by Green Party councillors, saw • The committee is wanting to council staff inductions and City of York Council declare a encourage members of the a new staff action group has “Climate Emergency”. public to contribute and there started at West Offices This meant that the council are plenty of passionate public • Co-opted experts from committed to making York carbon speakers every month. Stockholm Environment neutral by 2030. • Renewed our commitment to Institute & representatives Committee vice-chair Rosie Baker It also means the council the global Covenant of Mayors from Youth Climate Strikes speaks at the climate strikes will lobby the government in to share ideas and requires welcomed on to the committee Westminster for extra money and us to report progress on and an open invite offered All York residents are welcome to power to meet this target. emissions reduction every two to Conservatives and attend the committee meetings to speak for three minutes or just years Independent councillors As a result the ‘Climate listen – and many actually do! Emergency Scrutiny Committee • Working with the One Planet • Green/Lib Dem Budget was set up to bring forward key York leadership group to bring proposals 2020/21 will enable Next meetings (usually starting at 5.30pm) are: actions for the city to cut our cross-sector partners on appointment of senior staff carbon emissions. board to drive the Climate Delivery March 10th – Divestment from Micklegate Green Councillor • Awareness raising of the Programme and create a York fossil fuels Rosie Baker is the vice chair of climate emergency challenge Climate Commission. April 21st - Biodiversity Stop Idling! Kick the Habit! Switch your engines off! Play your part in cleaner air for York

Anti-idling signs were finally the Habit’ campaign last year aimed at installed last year at city centre reducing air pollution around the city. bus stops and taxi ranks following The enforcement team are out most a long campaign by Green Party weekends and routinely check on locations about which complaints are Anyone idling their engine for more than requested to by a council enforcement councillors and others. received. two minutes who doesn’t switch off when officer can be fined £20 on the spot. We are still pressing for similar signs There is also a social media campaign outside schools. and supporter packs can be downloaded For more information, go to: york.gov.uk/info/20054/pollution/2347/kick_the_habit_anti-idling_campaign City of York Council launched a ‘Kick from the council website. St Georges Field sewer repairs Persistence from Councillor Andy D’Agorne gets dangerous sewer problem fixed Following continued pressure Skeldergate Bridge were forced onto from Councillor Andy D’Agorne, muddy banks to get around. Yorkshire Water have removed the It is a heavily used route into the city, barriers that were blocking New and Cllr D’Agorne said it was the responsibility of Yorkshire Water to sort Walk near Skeldergate Bridge and out the problems which had existed for installed a new sewer inspection over a year. hatch. He was concerned that the issue needed Councillor D’Agorne raised concerns that to be resolved before the council started lives were put at risk and raw sewage work to divert the sewer as part of the spilled out when two manhole covers in proposed new car park in St George’s the car park blew off during recent flood. Field. Campaigners from York Cycle Campaign Following continued pressure from Andy, joined calls for urgent repairs to the a senior representative of Yorkshire burst sewer, arguing that cyclists Water has given assurances that the and pedestrians using the path near problem is now fixed. First voluntary Clean Air Zone brought in for city centre Green Party success sees introduction of measures designed to reduce pollution in York.

York’s Clean Air Zone came into 2018, welcomed the move. force on 1st February, following She said, “This is an excellent first step a successful campaign by York towards cleaner air in York. Buses are not Green Party and York residents. the only cause of air pollution of course and we will keep up the pressure for the The Clean Air Zone will apply only to Clean Air Zone to be extended to other buses and will mean that the majority of vehicles.” all buses travelling in to the city centre Green councillors are putting on the will have to be either electric or very low pressure for York to take further bold emission by the end of this year. action on tackling air pollution and Micklegate Green councillor, Rosie congestion. Baker, who collected 600 signatures on a petition for a Clean Air Zone back in Ethical fashion show returns to York Fashion week! Tickets now available for York Green Party’s popular fashion event on 26 March As part of the popular York Fashion runway teamed with vintage clothing to Week in March, the ethical fashion explore sustainable chic and to minimise show will once again be held. our impact on the environment. We’re showcasing locally-grown fibres Jewellery crafted from items found like flax and hemp, wool and tweed, and beach combing the North Yorkshire Coast novel fibres such as bamboo. completes the look and our models will The event will be held on Thursday 26th March at Hotel du Vin, 89 The Mount, York There will be some superb designs on the show these designs. Tickets can be booked online at: tinyurl.com/YFW-Ethical2020 OTHER WARD NEWS ROUNDUP Fishergate resurfacing Blue Bridge and Castle Mills bridge maintenance

The Blue Bridge is due to be taken centre. There will also be lane away for a week or so in March closures on the inner ring road on for repainting. Castle Mills bridge as this is being A temporary bridge will be in place repainted around the same time. for the riverside route to the city Fishergate windowbox challenge

Some residents of Alma Terrace post it on Instagram or Facebook and surrounding streets have before the judging (with a ‘people’s got together to offer a £50 prize vote!) at the Millennium Summer for the best street display of Fair on Sunday July 12th. windowboxes, hanging baskets For further details see Alma Terrace or planters. & Friends on social media: After years of complaining about to Friday only, to resurface the road All you need to do is take a ‘before alma_terrace_and_friends the unsafe state of Fishergate and and re-instate all road markings. and after’ picture of your house and windowboxcompetition Fulford Road the whole section In order to carry out these works from the inner ring road to beyond safely temporary road closure from the Cemetery Road junction is due the junction of Kilburn Road up to, Residents’ Parking on to be resurfaced this month. but not including, the junction of City of York Council will be carrying Fewster Way will be necessary. Danesmead Estate out carriageway resurfacing works Fulford Road and the junction of The Danesmead Estate is now Other streets in the ward on the commencing on 17 Feb for 7 nights Cemetery Rd will also be closed as resident permit holder only Mon- current ‘waiting list’ include Kilburn (weather permitting). part of the works. A clearly signed Fri 9am -5pm Road, Alma Terrace and Grove, Farrar This will be carried out between diversion route will be set out for Fulford Cross is expected to have Street, and Wolseley/Willis/Gordon/ 7.30pm ‘til 5.00am working Monday through traffic. similar restrictions by this summer. Wellington Street. CASTLE GATEWAY SET TO TRANSFORM AREA

Plans are moving forward St George’s Field (with 100 fewer across the inner ring road to a transformed into a traffic calmed to replace the unsightly car spaces). small park at the back of the street with trees, benches, and parking around Clifford’s Tower This new car park will be Castle Museum and across a new wider pavements. with landscaped public space. designed to be accessible even bridge over the Foss to Piccadilly. Councillor Dave Taylor said “It’s The revenue from car parking when the river is in flood. All this will be financed by new pleasing to say that the extensive which helps to finance council A new ‘super-crossing’ for bikes housing on site that was the consultation on the Castle Gateway services will be maintained with and pedestrians has also been ‘Castle Mills car park’. has led to the right answers and the council is listening.” a new multi- storey car park on planned which will provide access Piccadilly itself will be

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