York schools share best practice at Inclusion and Belonging Conference
School and education leaders in York shared best practice at a citywide conference last month to help children and young people feel included and supported at school. Over 100 representatives from each school and multi-academy trust in York attended the Inclusion and Belonging: Building a School System that works for all conference to hear from local and…
Votes at 16: Yorkshire academics and youth workers highlight urgent need for political conversations with young people
York St John University to host webinar to examine the role of youth work in preparing for the extension of voting rights to 16 and 17 year olds across the UK. “Young people are politically socialising themselves via social media – they need other voices in the mix” As today’s current Year 7s (12 and…
Keighley’s new engineering and manufacturing hub is officially opened
Keighley College’s cutting-edge Technical Engineering Centre (TEC) has been officially opened by a stalwart of the local manufacturing industry. Ninety year old Michael Parkinson OBE from Airedale Springs – whose links to the college span more than half a century – joined employers, apprentices and alumni for the event on Wednesday 12 November. The multi-million…
YorEnergy retrofit event to help York and North Yorkshire residents cut bills and make homes warmer
Residents across York and North Yorkshire are invited to discover how to make their homes warmer, greener, and cheaper to run at the YorEnergy Retrofit Futures event on Tuesday 25 November 2025 at York Guildhall. The event also marks the public launch of YorEnergy, a new end-to-end home retrofit service developed through the Retrofit One…
York has cut city-wide emissions by 16% in just two years
City of York Council has confirmed there’s been a 16 per cent reduction in city-wide carbon emissions since 2021, as the council acts to improve health and cut costs, whilst marking significant progress towards the city’s ambition to reach net zero by 2030. The figures, published in the latest City-Wide Emissions Report, show emissions fell from…
New guide for Armed Forces personnel published
In the week of Remembrance Day, a new guide to services for Armed Forces personnel in York and North Yorkshire has been published. The guide has been developed by North Yorkshire and City of York Councils for all veterans, serving members and reservists across our region. A central part of the Armed Forces Covenant agreement…
Project update: Roof conservation project on track – stonemasons add their own message to York’s Historic Walls
Work on York’s historic City Walls continues to progress smoothly as part of the Bootham Bar conservation project. City of York Council’s Ancient Monuments team and in-house stonemasons are carrying out essential works to replace the roof, which is now almost complete. The project remains on schedule to finish by mid-December, as originally planned. The…
York Walls in Bloom: Celebrating the changing seasons
As part of the York Walls in Bloom initiative, the vibrant wildflowers across the city’s historic walls are carefully managed to reflect the natural rhythm of the seasons. Now the summer blooms are starting to fade, City of York Council and dedicated volunteers, led by St Nicks, are coming together to care for these unique spaces….
Consul General of China welcomed by York partners
Ahead of the tenth anniversary of the sister city relationship between Nanjing in China and York, City of York Council has welcomed a visit by the Consul General of China in Manchester. The relationship was forged in 2016 with a view to developing a mutual understanding and benefits to these two historic and prominent cities….
York celebrates its amazing care leavers as part of National Care Leavers’ Month
City of York Council is celebrating the positive impact young people leaving care have on communities across the city during National Care Leavers’ Month (November). The month-long event aims to raise awareness and celebrate care leavers, with this year’s theme being “Rising as Me: Overcoming challenges, transforming, and finding your identity”. Around 30 young people…
Leeds College of Building to expand North Street Campus with major site acquisition
Leeds College of Building (LCB) has announced the purchase of a large building adjacent to its North Street Campus — a move that will significantly expand facilities and open up new training opportunities. The 5,000 m2 former Vodafone site on Melbourne Street sits next to LCB’s North Street Campus and will effectively increase the size of…
York’s smoking rates drop to one of the lowest in England
York continues to lead the way in public health, with adult smoking rates now at just 6.7 per cent — the 8th lowest in the country, according to the latest data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. York’s Health Trainer Service has played a key role by offering free, personalised support to help residents quit smoking and improve…
Leeds Beckett University leads research-powered partnership to boost health innovation across West Yorkshire
Leeds Beckett University is spearheading a major new collaboration with universities across West Yorkshire to fast-track innovation in health technologies – supporting businesses to bring new ideas to market and improving health outcomes in the region. The Innovation Pathways (In-Path) programme – led by Leeds Beckett in partnership with the Universities of Huddersfield, Leeds and Bradford – is backed…
York’s Remembrance Sunday parade and service
The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Martin Rowley BEM, the Civic Party and City of York Council will pay their respects at York’s official Remembrance Sunday service and parade. On Sunday 9 November, the parade will leave Clifford’s Tower at 10.20am and make its way to the City War Memorial via the Mansion House. The…
York Talk Money fortnight
York residents can access a wealth of information and support that could save them £1000s as part of this autumn’s York Talk Money fortnight (3-16 November). Run by City of York Council and partners across the city, including Citizens Advice, Peasholme Charity, Age UK, York Energy Advice and OCAY, the regular event aims to help…
Dog owner gets £1,000 charge and three-year Criminal Behaviour Order
The owner of an uncontrolled, un-microchipped and aggressive dog has been sentenced by York Magistrates Court. Following a number of incidents of a nine-year-old grey Staffordshire bull terrier called Lola attacking other dogs and straying, its owner Andrew Bartle (aged 53 of Foxwood Lane, York) has now been ordered to pay £1,098 and has been…
‘Tackling poverty today and turning the tide to create lasting change in York
A landmark anti-poverty strategy for York council will be reviewed by City of York Council’s Executive next month [4 November], before being considered for approval by Full Council [6 November]. The strategy – entitled ‘Tackling Poverty Today and Turning the Tide to Create Lasting Change’ – sets out to create a ten-year strategy and action plan to…
Going for growth- an ambitious new plan for York is announced
An ambitious new prospectus laying out York’s plans for growth, with innovation, culture and heritage at the heart of it, aims to attract billions in private and public sector investment to deliver more affordable housing and more better paid jobs will be taken to a public meeting for approval next week (4 November). York’s prospectus…
Ravensthorpe station to be closed as new station is constructed
From Sunday 14 December until summer 2028, Ravensthorpe station will close as the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) build a new, modernised station 200m west of the current site. Rail replacement bus services between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury stations will be in operation throughout the closure to keep customers on the move. The newly-built Ravensthorpe station will…
Have your say on York’s Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
City of York Council has worked with key partners including the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to prepare a draft Local Flood Risk Management strategy. The draft opened for consultation on 19 October and will run until the 11 January at www.york.gov.uk/consultations The strategy updates the 2014 strategy version and reflects learnings from major flood events, including those in…
Upcoming works on Tadcaster Road/Copmanthorpe Link Road West
The council will soon be carrying out works to make improvements on Tadcaster Road, between the Askham Bog car park and Askham Bar Park and Ride. This will include updates to the traffic signals at the junction of Tadcaster Road / Copmanthorpe Link Road West between 22 October and 17 November and night-time resurfacing works…
Statements from city leaders: York Knights promotion
Following the announcement that York Knights RLFC have been promoted to the Super League for 2026, city leaders have issued the statements below. Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said: “This is absolutely fantastic news for our city. We are all be brimming with pride to be home to one of the…
Rail upgrade work between Leeds and York across Christmas and New Year period
Upgrade work along the route between Leeds and York will continue over the Christmas period and throughout January to help deliver a faster, greener and more reliable railway as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. Customers are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of time at nationalrail.co.uk or their train operator’s website, if travelling…
York residents can now recycle more at kerbside
For the first time, residents across York can now recycle food and drink cartons and toothpaste tubes in the same container as glass, plastics and tins, thanks to an upgrade to the city’s kerbside recycling service. This change marks a significant step forward in simplifying household recycling and forms part of the UK Government’s new…
Christmas parking arrangements confirmed
In line with the council’s budget setting decision made in February 2025, parking charge rates for York’s Christmas Market are set to be implemented from 13 November. The changes will mean that while the Christmas Market is on, parking charges between Sunday and Thursday are lifted to the current rate for Fridays and Saturdays. This…
Green Business Forum focus on Energy bills as they celebrate their second anniversary
With October marking the second anniversary of the formation of the York Green Business Forum the group are celebrating by hosting their upcoming event focussing on energy bills. The event is taking place as part of York Environment Festival 2025, and aims to help businesses across the city tackle their energy bills and learn how…
Don’t miss out on new child benefit repayment option, Azets warns
People in Yorkshire earning more than £60,000 a year have a new way to manage their child benefit repayments following a change in HMRC’s process, according to a senior payroll professional. York-based Julie Gunnell, associate director of payroll growth at UK top 10 accountancy Azets, said those who were eligible could now manage their High…
Halfway mark reached for TRU Community Fund applications
Strong interest has already been shown in this year’s Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) Community Fund, and local community groups, schools and charities are urged to apply now before applications close – or earlier if capacity is reached. With just 12 days remaining until the Monday 27 October deadline, the TRU Community Fund is offering £250,000…
Planned essential maintenance works on Lendal Bridge head to decision session
Plans to carry out essential maintenance works on Lendal Bridge will be discussed at a decision session next week (21 October). These structural repairs are needed to protect the bridge so it can continue to be used for decades to come. The proposed works consist of urgent structural repairs, re-waterproofing the structure and resurfacing the…
Inspiring commitment of York’s longest serving foster carers celebrated by the civic party
The inspiring life-changing work of some of York’s longest serving foster carers has been recognised at a special awards ceremony. Seven fostering households were welcomed to the Mansion House and awarded certificates by the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Martin Rowley BEM, for completing 20, 30 and 40 years of fostering. Throughout…
Over 2,000 York residents still to claim £100 Household Support Fund payment
Over 2,000 eligible residents who have been contacted directly by the council have not yet claimed their one-off £100 Household Support Fund payment this winter. A total of 2,700 York residents have already responded to the letter sent out by City of York Council last month [September]. The payment is part of the Government’s Household…
Children in the North are losing up to 10 years of life due to inactivity and inequality
Children across the North are facing a health crisis and experts say physical activity must be at the heart of the solution. As part of the national Child of the North #ChildrenFirst campaign, the University of Bradford has joined with universities across the North to call on the Government to adopt a “whole-of-school” approach to…
York mum reaches her running goal and boosts her mental health, thanks to support from York Health Trainers
A York mum is preparing to complete this Sunday’s Yorkshire 10-mile just six months after starting running, thanks to support from City of York Council’s health trainer service. Kirsty Catterson, a domestic assistant at York Hospital’s maternity department, contacted the team back in March on the advice of her GP, when she fell into a…
York secures £479k to help prevent homelessness
Recognising the needs of York residents facing homelessness, £479,438 has been secured to help the Council prevent homelessness and provide accommodation and support where it’s most needed. This Government funding supports the Council’s aim to make rough sleeping rare, brief and non-recurring. A proportion of this funding will be used to support homelessness prevention and…
New community wellbeing hub opens in York
A much-anticipated community wellbeing and mental health hub, based in Acomb Garth, York, is opening its doors to the public on 13 October. A much-anticipated community wellbeing and mental health hub, based in Acomb Garth, York, is opening its doors to the public on 13 October, the week after World Mental Health Day on Friday…
York community shapes new rivers trail at soft launch walk
As part of York Walking Festival and York Environment Festival, York residents joined a creative riverside walk to help shape the new York rivers trail. The trail, co-designed with schools, stakeholders and local communities, will blend art, science and local voices to tell the city’s flood and climate story when it plans to launch in…
Major improvements set for York’s Park and Ride
Overnight parking and a host of other improvements to York’s Park and Ride services will be considered at a meeting next week (7 October). The meeting follows a citywide consultation earlier this year around how government funding through the Bus Service Improvement Plan could be best spent on the Park and Ride. Proposed improvements include:…
New strategy to support York children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and their families
City of York Council’s Executive will be asked to approve a new strategy to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families in York next month [7 October]. The five-year strategy, entitled Inclusion and Belonging, sets out to help every child and family in York feel that they belong…
New 1.5-acre park opens next to 78 new Passivhaus homes
A new green space for all to enjoy has been opened as part of work to build 78 ultra low-energy homes at Burnholme Green. A 1.5-acre park has been opened with play and exercise areas, meadows and coppices of trees, connected to the local communities by a network of paths dotted with benches. Across the…
First passenger train pulls into Huddersfield station following 30 days of major upgrades
This morning, the first passenger train arrived at the newly rebuilt platforms at Huddersfield Station, marking a major milestone in Phase One of the station upgrades. This achievement takes customers one step closer to faster, cleaner, more reliable trains across the North. Over the past month, our TRU West Alliance has been working around the…
Beware QR codes in Council car parks and texted parking fines
City of York Council is warning drivers to stay vigilant after its car parks were targeted by a fake QR code parking scam and as a wider parking ticket scam hits the country. A widespread parking scam involving fake Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) has targeted people across the country in recent weeks. Scammers send text…
Topping out ceremony marks milestone in multi-million-pound Bradford College building project
Bradford College marked a significant milestone as governors and special guests gathered at the £19.3 million Junction Mills development for a commemorative topping-out ceremony. The college event celebrated the highest point of the building’s structure being put in place, signalling the next phase of work to create a cutting-edge training facility for automotive, digital, and…
Huddersfield station set to reopen next week with new temporary layout
Huddersfield station will reopen on Monday 29 September with three rebuilt and extended platforms under new numbering, marking an important step in the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). From this date, only platforms 1, 2 and 3 will be in use, meaning trains will run to and from different platforms than before and some services will…
SEND CENTRAL York’s new hub for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities launches
SEND CENTRAL, York’s new city hub for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is now open to families across the city [Monday 22 September]. The hub was officially opened by the Deputy Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Margaret Wells on Saturday [20 September]. The new hub is York’s flagship Family…
Statement from the Leader of City of York Council, Cllr Claire Douglas
Below the Council Leader’s statement is a joint statement from Askham Bryan College, York College, York St John University and the University of York. “York is built on its civic pride, history of social justice and strong communities. Each and every day, residents come together and volunteer their time to support one another, care for their…
TRU launches second round of Community Fund with £250,000 for local communities
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is launching the second round of its Community Fund, offering £250,000 to support local community groups, schools and charities along its major railway route. Building on the success of last year’s scheme, the TRU Community Fund will provide grants of £1,000, £5,000, £10,000 or £20,000 to organisations within five miles…
New seat and toilet scheme launches to improve city centre accessibility
As part of work to make York more accessible, City of York Council and 55 city-wide partners are launching a scheme to give more people a seat or toilet. ‘For Your Convenience’ partners display stickers in their windows. These invite customers and visitors who have a disability, a long-term health condition or frailty, to use…
Huntington School becomes first in York to receive Gold Healthy Schools Award
Huntington School has become the first in the city to be awarded a Gold Healthy Schools’ Award. The award is part of City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council’s Healthy Schools Programme. The programme aims to encourage state-funded schools across the county to work towards improving the health and wellbeing of pupils through a…