Your Local Ward Councillor

Flower Festival at The Mansion House

2009-11-14T16:39:02Z

Don't miss this event. Your visit will help in my fund-raising for York Against Cancer & Brunswick Organic Nursery

Ward Improvements

2009-11-01T16:00:00Z

Over the past year I have identified areas where improvements could be made been and more importantly I have been able to obtain a number of improvements to the ward.

Through the Ward Committee Acaster Malbis received a grant to enable a seat to be constructed in the Mount Pleasant Bus Shelter, along with a new litter bin and for repairs to the Pinfold

With the help of York Pride the planters at the bottom of Sim Balk Lane should be a feature of that area for the next two years, along with two planters outside the shops in Acaster Lane.

Similarly with the help of York Pride we now have a new seat at the junction of Acaster Lane and Main Street on this greatly improved small corner of Bishopthorpe.

I am always looking for ways to improve the Ward, if you have any suggestions please let me know, but please remember I don't have a magic wand!!

I am still keeping an eye on the ward

2009-11-01T14:59:31Z

Even though I currently hold the position of Lord Mayor of York I spend time in the ward and I keep up with matters that affect us all.

Since becoming Lord Mayor I have visited Brunswick Nursery on three occasions as Lord Mayor which has helped to lift the profile of Brunswick and of course the nursery is one of my two charities.

I have also visited the two schools in Bishopthorpe and I have had the pleasure of visiting Bishopthorpe Palace on two occasions.

If you wish to contact me please don't hesitate to call me on 07973898402.or you can leave a message on 01904 551049.

Honesty & Integrity

2009-09-20T16:51:59Z

Throughout my political life I have always regarded honesty as an important part of my work, and I don't make personal attacks or claim credit for things done by other people, I stand or fall by my own efforts which I put in on your behalf.

The Big Day

2009-05-27T21:35:08Z

Last Thursday was a day I will never forget nor will my wife, this was the day I was installed as the Lord Mayor and what a magical day. To be part of York's Civic History is indeed a great honour and I hope that I will be able to live up to that honour.

We are moving into the Mansion House on Thursday 28th of May but of course we shall still spend any free time we might have in Bishopthorpe, and I shall certainly be keeping an eye on the ward. Even though I shall be York's first citizen I am still the ward councillor and I will still be on hand for anybody who requires my help, please either use my email or my mobile phone number which is 07973898402. Should you want to see what I and the Civic Party are up to you can see our activity on the Council's website.

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Church Lane Widening Proposals

2009-04-30T19:53:50Z

Recently reported in the Link is that the Parish Council is urging York City Council to widen Church Lane as a means of lessening the potential traffic impact on Bishopthorpe following the development of the Terry's Site. I thought it would be helpful if people were to be aware of my views on this proposal which do not accord with the views of the Parish Council, and it is highly unlikely that I could support this proposal, my reasons as follows:-

Widening Church Lane would in my opinion cause an unacceptable level of disruption to residents of Church Lane and indeed Sim Balk Lane by the increased level of vehicle activity that such widening would attract.
Widening the carriageway would surely increase the speed of traffic along Church Lane with all the consequences that would follow, better that any increase in traffic be kept at a low speed rather than an increased speed which widening would surely encourage.
I have major concerns regarding the Bishopthorpe Road junction; I understand the Parish Council are suggesting the installation of a mini roundabout which would necessitate major road works, a realignment of the junction and land take to allow for these works.

Whilst my wish for a village By-Pass has for the time being been rejected by the City Council I shall at every opportunity press for this road to be built, this is the only serious option. The loss of a part of our Green Belt alongside the A64 is a small price to pay for ensuring that not only Church Lane, Sim Balk Lane and indeed the whole village will not suffer traffic chaos that will surely follow this major development.

I make no apology for my views; my only concern is to protect your village and my village, I hope that in the fullness of time common sense will prevail.

First There Were Three Now There Are Two!!

2009-04-09T15:44:42Z

During the past couple of weeks the planters at the bottom of Sim Balk Lane have been adding some colour to the area outside the Chapel despite earlier vandalism and being surrounded on times by excavations, the planters have survived.

Imagine my disgust on Sunday morning to find that one of these planters had disappeared without trace. What was more disappointing was that on Monday the City in Bloom Judges came through Bishopthorpe as part of the Judging. I am of the opinion that the theft had been planned in advance and would urge anybody who saw anything suspicious or who might have information as to where the planter is, to contact the Police on 0845 60 60 247 quoting log no 12090056799. The planter cost £250 which included 4 years replanting and maintenance.

The Police have had a spate of similar planters reported stolen and they believe that they are being stolen to order.

Congratulations to Bishopthorpe Parish Council

2009-04-09T14:40:15Z

It would be quite remiss of me if I did not congratulate the Bishopthorpe Parish Council on their success in obtaining a grant from the Big Lottery Fund to pay for renovations and improvements to the Village Hall. I know a lot of effort was put into the bid for the grant and I am sure that residents of the village will be delighted with the result..

The hall will continue to be a great facility for the village when the alterations are complete and as past and current generations have been grateful for the Village Hall I am sure that future generations will also appreciate the much improved facility.

Proposed Village By-Pass Thrown Out

2009-03-22T18:07:38Z

The Executive of the City Council met on Tuesday 17th of March and considered a report prepared by the Highways Department on the feasibility of building a village by-pass as the Terry's site is developed. The report stated the following:

"The report responded to each of the points in the Council motion and discussed the wider implications associated with the proposed link road. It described the provision of two sections of link road, from Tadcaster Road to Bishopthorpe Road, at a cost of £6.1m. The results of traffic modelling suggested that there would be some reduction of traffic flows on Tadcaster Road but that the main benefit would come from the redistribution of traffic flowing through Bishopthorpe. It was noted that further work would be necessary to improve the punctuality of the no. 11 bus and that cycle connections could be introduced to reduce the traffic implications and increase access to the new Terry's development. However, the consideration of York's Green Belt would make it difficult to support the proposal in planning terms."

Following the above the Executive took the following decision:

"That the contents of the report be noted and that Officers be instructed to cease any further work on this proposal."

So there you have it, potential traffic problems in Bishopthorpe seem to be of little importance to the City Council's Cabinet.

It has been stated that following a "Survey" little support for such a by-pass was forthcoming, however this so called survey was not conducted by the Council and no statistics on such a survey have been published.

I am still firmly of the opinion that the only way the village can be protected from traffic chaos once the Terry's site is developed is the construction of the by-pass.

A possible spin off from a by-pass was the potential for much needed football fields to serve Bishopthorpe being created alongside.

I have no doubt there will be those people who will rejoice at the decision, there are those people who politicised my efforts to campaign for a by-pass, so at least some some people will be content, I suspect there are many more who like me are very disappointed at the decision..

The loss of a greenfield was in my opinion a small price to pay to preserve the safety of the village and possibly provide much needed football fields.

Time will tell who was on the right lines and in a way I hope my fears of traffic mayhem in Bishopthorpe will prove to be unfounded, but I doubt it.

Lord Mayor's Charities

2009-03-04T15:43:43Z

I am delighted to announce that the charities I and the Civic Team will be supporting are, York Against Cancer and Brunswick Organic Nursery. It is hoped to hold a number of events to raise funds for these two very worthy charities.

Water Main Works

2009-02-13T20:24:21Z

I am sure that like me you will be pleased when the work on the Water Mains is completed, I am given to understand that this work will be completed within the next two to three weeks. I am further advised that the contractors will have the affected roads swept with a mechanical street sweeper and general tidying up of the pavements etc., If following such cleaning, there are still street cleanliness issues then please let me know.

In much of the ward the grass verges have been damaged and again I understand remedial work will be undertaken in the Spring.

A New Business for Bishopthorpe

2009-02-13T17:48:19Z

I am delighted that planning permission was granted on Thursday to Mr & Mrs Kelly of Bracken Lodge, Main Street, for change of use to allow them to operate a Bed & Breakfast establishment, permission was also granted for an extension and a free standing garage to facilitate this new venture. Such an establishment is very much needed in the village and I would like to wish Mr & Mrs Kelly every success and hope that it will bring many visitors to the village.

The Chocolate Works

2009-02-13T11:01:42Z

A community planning forum has been set up with the intention of encouraging input from the communities that will be affected by the development of the Terry's Site. As a member of the City Planning Committee I am unable to be a member. However Glyn Drummond at the Post Office is my nominee and I can assure you that I shall keep my ear firmly to the ground so that I can keep up to date with all proposals.

I will continue to campaign for a village by-pass between Bishopthorpe Road and Sim Balk lane, there is NO OTHER solution to protect our village from serious traffic problems following the development of the site..

A corner of Bishopthorpe has had a "Make-over"

2009-02-08T17:59:57Z

The untidy corner at the top of Acaster Lane and Chantry Lane has now been tidied up and I hope that as the plants become established it will increase the attractiveness of that end of the village. Surely it looks better than previously and I am grateful to our Ward Environment officer who arranged for the work to be done by YACRO. It is just possible that a new seat will be put in place in the Spring.

Deer and yet more deer

2009-02-08T17:51:48Z

It would appear that the Deer population in and around Bishopthorpe and Acaster Malbis is very much on the increase. I have had a request for "Deer Warning Signs" on Appleton Road as Deer have been seen along Appleton Road and I wonder if there are any reports of Deer being seen on other Roads/Lanes. It will no doubt only be a matter of time before a collision with a Deer will be reported. So please if you have seen them on the highway please let me know