Hull Road councillors call for ban on letting boards

The three Hull Road ward Labour councillors have called for action on letting boards in areas near the University of York – asking City of York Council to apply to the Government for permission to implement special planning regulations, which could ban the use of letting boards outright.
 


Letting boards on Siward Street

Councillors Hilary Shepherd, David Levene and Neil Barnes have written to both the Chair of the council’s planning committee and the Executive Member covering planning matters, asking that this issue be considered as a matter of urgency.

This coincides with the following petition launched by Hull Road ward councillors:

We, the undersigned, believe that an excessive number of letting boards are damaging the visual environment of the local area and increase the risk of crime against those living there at certain times of the year, particularly in Hull Road ward, and that they are no longer necessary given well-used online alternatives.



 

We therefore call on the Government to give City of York Council the power to ban letting boards in locations with an excessive amount and where there is local support.

Hull Road Cllrs with the petition

The petition is on-going and the Hull Road ward councillors are collecting signatures for presentation to the council at a later date.

You can sign the petition online via the council's website (log in or registration required)

Coun. Hilary Shepherd said: “The issue of letting boards in areas near the University is one frequently brought to our attention as local councillors. Residents feel strongly that they are an eyesore that reduces pride in the community.

“We also know that students are concerned at properties that could become a target for crime during University holidays if they are so openly advertised. With the rise of websites that offer online advertising, physical letting boards are unnecessary and serve only as a form of visual ‘one-upmanship’ between individual letting agencies.

“Local authorities can apply to the Government for permission to introduce special planning controls – including a blanket ban - and we’re asking the council’s lead planning members to consider this action on behalf of the city’s residents.”



Out on a cold afternoon collecting signatures...

The move follows efforts made by Coun. Barnes and former ward councillor Fiona Fitzpatrick in the last couple of years to gain a voluntary agreement from leading letting agents to end the use of letting boards attached to properties.  Although some agents signed up, support was not unanimous - meaning a request for more formal powers to end the practice is the only alternative option.


What's been done elsewhere?

 

In 2014, Newcastle city council applied to Government for “Regulation 7 Direction” – banning letting boards in certain areas of the city. This was followed by Reading in 2015.

Leeds obtained a Regulation 7 Direction in 2006 for Headingley.

There have also been recent bans, consultations and incidents involving agents' boards in London, Brighton, Southampton and many other areas of the UK.

Regulation 7 Direction: This removes normal rights to display boards without express consent, enabling the council to implement a complete ban enforceable by court action and fines of up to £2,500.

Tree planting and Halloween activities at the Tang Hall Community Orchard!

Hull Road Ward Committee - 3rd Nov 2015

We invite you the next Hull Road Ward Committee!

Following up on traffic issues in Tang Hall

Neil, David and Hilary regularly campaign on localised issues that residents have brought to our attention. One such issue is that of traffic problems along Lang Avenue and Ingleborough Avenue in the east of Tang Hall.

Problems have been caused at the Tang Hall Lane end of Lang Avenue by excess on-street parking. So we went out door-knocking along the street to find out what residents thought – and what solutions might they welcome. We spoke to a good number of people on the day and left a letter for those we didn’t talk to. Further letters, emails and telephone calls have come in from residents following our door-knocking. 

David, Hilary and Neil on Lang Avenue

We’ll use this consultation to build a report for council officers that gives a true picture of the issues - and what solutions residents will welcome.

If you’d like us to undertake similar activity and consult on issues in your street within Hull Road ward, please do get in touch.

Are you registered to vote?

Changes by the Conservative-Lib Dem Government have resulted in thousands of people - many of them students - not being registered to vote.

You only have until the 20th April to register, so go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote now, or if you need help, contact City of York Council.

The Hull Road Labour team and local volunteers were out on Saturday 11th April encouraging residents to check they are registered to vote.

Great response for Labour candidates in Tang Hall!

The complete Labour team of local candidates and parliamentary candidate were joined by retiring York Central MP, Sir Hugh Bayley for an evening door-knocking session in the heart of Tang Hall.

York Central MP candidate Rachael Maskell and Hull Road ward candidates Neil Barnes, Hilary Shepherd and David Levene were overwhelmed by the fantastic support for Labour in the area.

Left to right: Neil Barnes, Hilary Shepherd, Rachael Maskell,
Sir Hugh Bayley and David Levene.

Issues raised included the rising cost of living, housing and the future of the NHS. Residents were pleased to be able to wish Sir Hugh all the best for the future and to welcome Rachael and the local election candidates. Several 'Vote Labour' posters will be on their way to the area!

Badger Hill joins in Smarter York Big Clean

On Saturday 28th March, your Hull Road Labour candidates, Neil Barnes, David Levene and Hilary Shepherd, joined local residents and members of the Badger Hill Residents Community Group for a litter pick across the estate.

This was as part of the City of York Council's annual Smarter York Big Clean.

Neil Barnes, Hilary Shepherd and David Levene (2nd, 3rd and 4th from left)
with Badger Hill residents before the litter pick.

Neil, David and Hilary had a good time out with local volunteers and Neil eventually took six full bags of litter to the James Street household waste centre - a great result!

The Badger Hill Residents Community Group are an apolitical organisation who have been very active across the estate over many years. They've been an immensely useful local resource for Hull Road councillors, providing great insight into local issue.

Burlington Avenue set for resurfacing works

Following the recent carriageway resurfacing of Crossways in Badger Hill and the reconstruction of the road along Alcuin Avenue, we are delighted to say that Tang Hall's Burlington Avenue is next in line for resurfacing works.

City of York Council have written to residents indicating that work will begin on Monday 30th March, taking approximately 1 week to complete - with working hours during 8am and 5.30pm. There will be a temporary road closure during the works.

Some minor preparation work will also commence from Monday 16th March - with some traffic management during the hours of 5pm to 10pm, although the council anticipate any noisy works ending by 8pm.

A recent Minster FM report - featuring Hull Road Labour candidate Councillor David Levene - reveals that York has some of the best roads in the country: http://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/1550790/york-has-some-of-the-best-roads-in-the-country/

Alcuin Avenue road reconstruction works to continue

Following works carried out in 2014 to reconstruct and resurface part of Alcuin Avenue in Tang Hall, works will recommence from Monday 19th January to complete the remainder of the road.

This follows concerns from residents and subsequent local councillor action - where Neil Barnes and Fiona Fitzpatrick requested it be completed in the current financial year of the City of York Council.

The works are expected to take up to 11 weeks. A press release from City of York council stated:

"To carry out the works safely, a road closure will be necessary. A signed diversion route will operate for local and through traffic. However, the road closure will remain in place at all times (over a 24hr period) including weekends.

"Reconstruction works will be carried out in three phases working in 120 metre sections on a rolling process. Due to the nature of the works and the deep excavations taking place, it will not always be possible for residents to gain vehicular access to their properties. In these circumstances residents will need to use alternative parking.

"Bus services will be diverted via Hull Road and Fifth Avenue for the full duration of the closures. For the latest bus information call Bus Info on (01904) 551400 or visit www.itravelyork.info/buses/

"Pedestrian access will be available at all times but cyclists will have to dismount and use the footways when travelling through the affected areas.

"As with any construction work, there is likely to be a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience but everything reasonably possible will be done to keep this to a minimum. However, motorists should expect some delays and are advised to plan their journey accordingly.

"The works will be carried out by City of York Council who will be responsible for safety and providing pedestrian access at all times."

Residents Forum to discuss Hull Road Park

The next Hull Road Residents Forum on Monday 12th January will be largely discussing the management of Hull Road Park and its future development.

The meeting, being held at St George's Methodist Hall (Millfield Lane, YO10 3AL) and starting at 6pm, comes at the request of Hull Road councillors Neil Barnes and Fiona Fitzpatrick following concerns raised by residents and incidences of vandalism last Autumn.

Neil Barnes (centre) on a previous litter pick
in Hull Road Park with volunteers

Reductions in City of York Council budgets have led to developments in park management over the years, including the cessation of night-time locking of gates. Whilst the council is not in a position to provide locking itself, it is open to a schedule of volunteers undertaking the task themselves - if the community wishes.

The meeting on the 12th Jan will discuss this and more, with the hope of community volunteers putting themselves forward to consider improvements in the Park over the coming months - including the possibility of a 'Friends' group such as those seen in other city parks such as Rowntree Park and, more recently, West Bank Park.

Fiona and Neil have continually worked with council officers on ways to maintain the Park as a valuable community asset, this meeting being the latest step.

New Labour candidates for Hull Road

The Labour Party has selected its candidates to contest the City of York Council elections in Hull Road Ward in May 2015. The candidates will be Hilary Shepherd, Neil Barnes and David Levene.

Left to right: David Levene, Hilary Shepherd, Neil Barnes

Neil Barnes is already well known in Hull Road where he has been a councillor since 2011. David Levene is currently the councillor for Heslington Ward; part of his ward will move into Hull Road Ward next year. Hilary Shepherd, replaces Cllr Fiona Fitzpatrick who has already announced that she will stand down from the Council at the next election to return to a career in education.

Fiona Fitzpatrick commented "I have every confidence that Hull Road has an excellent team of candidates to represent residents in the ward"

Neil Barnes said "Representing Hull Road ward for the past four years is one of the most important things I've ever done. I wish to pay tribute to Fiona Fitzpatrick, who will be missed in the ward, as she has worked incredibly hard on behalf of residents and been a fantastic councillor to work alongside. However, I look forward to the opportunity to represent residents for four more years and to continue working alongside community leaders to improve the area for everyone’s benefit".

Hilary Shepherd said "I have recently retired from working for the Council. I am very keen to use my knowledge and experience to build on the work with local residents that Labour councillors have been doing in Hull Road ward for many years".

David Levene added “It has been an honour to serve Heslington for the past few years, and with boundary changes moving the majority of Heslington ward into the new Hull Road ward, I am looking forward to using what I have learnt – increasing volunteer involvement in local amenities, building better relationships between students and permanent residents, and tackling housing and transport issues near the University – for the benefit of all Hull Road residents".