Rick Witter’s namesake gritter unveiled!
City of York Council is introducing its new fleet of gritters ahead of the winter season, with one named as Rick Gritter (after Rick Witter, Shed Seven). The lead singer from the local band Shed Seven has been chosen in recognition of their achievements in the last year. Cllr Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York…
Introducing The York Clinic
The York Clinic was launched to address the growing need for menopause support in the workplace. Menopause will impact all women, yet it remains largely unaddressed. Their services are designed to bridge this gap by offering bespoke training that empowers businesses to better understand and support their employees, whilst also ensuring compliance with the latest…
Top comedian highlights the work for foster carers in York
A top stand-up comedian highlighted the life-changing work that foster carers do in a gig in York last week (13 October). Kiri Pritchard McLean has spoken about her own experience as a foster carer for the first time during her current show, Peacock. Better known nationally as the Star of 8 out of 10 Cats…
York taxi passengers to get safer, greener rides
New requirements for York taxis and private hire vehicles are set to make them among the safest in the UK as a new policy incorporates national guidance, making them even safer, with fewer emissions and offering greater choice, especially for disabled passengers. An extensive consultation carried out this summer has helped shape a new Taxi…
Grant applications for Warm Places invited
Organisations running Warm Places in York to support local people through the coldest months are invited to apply for up to £5,000 funding from a £40,000 fund before 10 November. 28 Warm Places opened their doors to local residents last winter – ten more than the previous year – for a minimum two hours a…
NEW Swap 2 Stop with free vapes this Stoptober
Swap 2 Stop is a new nationwide campaign, being offered by the York Health Trainers, which is aimed at encouraging smokers to make the switch from smoking to vaping to improve their health. Smokers are addicted to nicotine, not tobacco. It’s the tar and toxic chemicals produced in tobacco smoke that kill, so switching from…
There’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ family, according to two thirds of Yorkshire folk
This year’s National Adoption Week highlights all kinds of adoption journeys. City of York Council and One Adoption North and Humber, the regional adoption agency for the York, North Yorkshire and the Humber, are supporting this year’s National Adoption Week (21-27 October). This year’s campaign hopes to increase understanding of modern adoption, the diversity of…
Andrew Jackson announces newly qualified and trainee promotions
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce the promotion of seven members of its team. Hayley Neal and Ailish Ward have successfully completed their training contracts and qualified as solicitors. They will continue to assist the property team across a broad range of commercial property transactions, with Ailish utilising her experience…
Queen Street to close for 5 nights in November
City of York Council has published information to support residents and visitors as a key road near York Station closes over 5 nights in November. As an essential part of works to transform the area to the front of York Station, the new Queen Street diversion road will be closed for five consecutive weeknights. The…
Council works with regulator to further housing standards
On 1 April 2024, the Social Housing (Regulations) Act 2023 came into force. Its new regulatory standards require tenant safety and engagement, decent homes and transparency, and landlords to inform the regulator of any non-compliance. The Regulator of Social Housing also requires more frequent surveys of homes and consideration of tenants’ diverse needs and any…
City of York Council named most productive council in country
City of York Council has topped a new list of the most productive English councils, meaning that we achieve the highest value for residents per pound of council spending. Independent consultancy, IMPOWER, analysed 149 councils across eight core areas using their index. These are the areas where councils spend the most money and include: housing…
Innovative start-up cooks up a storm with council support
City of York Council has supported a pioneering food delivery business to get established in York, with the company now looking to launch in cities across the UK. School Kitchen works in partnership with schools, taking over their kitchen facilities during the evenings and over the weekends. From their bases in schools, they run home delivery…
Ghost-inspired York Gin relaunches in ‘Europe’s most haunted city’
A gin inspired by one of York’s most famous ghosts has reappeared in time for Halloween. York Gin Grey Lady takes its name from the Medieval ghost who reportedly haunts the city’s Theatre Royal. The friendly ghost is said to haunt the dress circle of the theatre. Mad Alice, York’s top tour guide, who knows…
Help us make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring
To help us achieve our aim of making homelessness and rough sleeping rare, brief and non-recurring, we’re asking everyone interested to comment on our new draft strategy. Our five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy aims to build on the work of our highly-effective Housing Navigators and our partners. Through it, we plan to offer people…
‘People-powered archaeology’ boosts residents’ wellbeing
A partnership between City of York Council and York Archaeology is helping the city’s residents uncover the hidden history of Walmgate, while improving their health and wellbeing, making social connections and gaining new skills and interests. The award-winning Archaeology on Prescription project is one of the first in the world to apply the social prescribing model to…
‘Very good’ status cements push to become UK’s most accessible airport
A renewed push to make Teesside the country’s most accessible airport has been launched following a glowing report from the UK’s aviation regulator. Teesside received the top “Very Good” rating from the Civil Aviation Authority this year in its annual accessibility report. And now airport chiefs have vowed to build on this to become the…
York Opportunities Event for young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities
Approximately 30 employers, education providers and support services from across the region will be exhibiting at the SEND Opportunities Event at Askham Bryan College on Wednesday (16 October) from 3.30-6.30pm. The event is for young people in Year 9 or above, with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities who live in York, Leeds and North Yorkshire, as…
Thousands of people across Humber and North Yorkshire invited to share their attitudes and understanding of cancer to help shape more inclusive NHS cancer services
Regional survey of over 5,660 residents to be carried out by York St John University on behalf of Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance. The Institute for Health and Care Improvement (IHCI) at York St John University and Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance are working in partnership with local Healthwatch organisations to undertake the…
Andrew Jackson announces another key appointment
Private client partner, George Lyall, joins law firm Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has welcomed George Lyall, a highly experienced private client specialist, as a partner, marking further growth for its well-regarded practice. With over 40 years’ experience in advising high net worth individuals alongside their private and charitable trusts, George has particular…
Kirk Sandall Junior School installs solar panels with funding from the Drax Foundation
Drax Foundation funding has saved three schools an estimated 14.5 tonnes of combined carbon emissions this year, the equivalent of 24 transatlantic flights between London and New York. The Drax Foundation, the charitable entity of renewable energy company Drax Group (Drax), has funded the installation of solar panels at Kirk Sandall Junior School as part…
Autism Plus expands social enterprise with new Knaresborough site
Empowering Young Adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities through Artisan Chocolate Production and Meaningful Activities Autism Plus has opened a new site in Knaresborough, bringing together its North Yorkshire social enterprises under one roof. This new facility represents a major step forward in providing meaningful training and employment opportunities for young adults with autism and…
Travel agents celebrated at special bingo bonanza event at Teesside
Travel agents across the North East have been celebrated for their outstanding work supporting Teesside Airport at a special bingo bonanza event. More than 140 agents including retail store members, homeworkers, head office staff and business development managers packed out the celebration at the airport on Thursday evening (10 October). The event featured bingo, dance-offs,…
Over £1million extra support secured for York residents
Financial support to help residents cope with the cost of living crisis is being extended until the end of end of March 2025. The Council has been allocated £1,037,906 for the next six months and residents are urged to make sure they claim all benefits that they are eligible for. This Household Support Funding (HSF)…
It’s Not Love digital resources launched to support professionals working with children
A new package of digital resources has been developed by York St John University and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) to help support teachers and professionals working with children and young people in secondary school to explore healthy and unhealthy friendships and relationships. The resources are a mixture of…
Major milestone achieved in £5m H2Boost project with opening of biohydrogen production facility
The Biorenewables Development Centre (BDC) and its consortium partners have successfully launched a demonstration-scale biohydrogen production and carbon capture facility at The Maltings, a food waste processing facility near Selby, North Yorkshire. This facility is part of the H2Boost project, which secured £5 million in Phase 2 funding last year through the Department for Energy…
Future generation – schools given opportunity to shine with Drax’s 50th anniversary art competition
Schoolchildren are being invited by Drax to submit their designs for a poster that visualises the energy industry workers of the 21st century. Winners will see their designs showcased at the power station’s history display, as part of its golden anniversary celebrations. Renewable energy pioneer, Drax, is offering schoolchildren in communities local to Drax Power…
Veteran Cargo Chief who made Liege a freight giant offers boost to Teesside
A veteran cargo expert who turned Liege into a magnet for global freight will be at the heart of boosting Teesside Airport’s facility. Steven Verhasselt spent 20 years turning Liege Airport from a small regional airport into a cargo juggernaut, handling two-thirds of all European Air Freight. Now the 52-year-old will be helping to steer…
Machines to be removed as most of council parking goes cashless
In the coming weeks a number of parking machines will be removed as the council moves to cashless parking. In February it was agreed at a decision session that the majority of the council’s car parking would go cashless as the council looked to save money by removing the costs of maintaining machines and also…
Night-time road closures planned as Station Gateway project progresses
As work on the Station Gateway project progresses to the next stage, the council is providing an update on upcoming works in the area in October and November. To help them plan ahead, the council is forewarning residents, businesses and commuters that – as part of work to transform the entrance to York Station – contractors…
New energy efficiency grants for homes not heated by mains gas
Eligible households not heated by mains gas in York are being given free energy-efficiency boosts by the Council for greater comfort, lower bills and less carbon output. During this month of environmental action in York (14 September-12 October), residents are being urged to check their eligibility and grab a grant for measures suitable for their…
Andrew Jackson facilitates Casper River’s first barge purchase
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that it has recently assisted newco Casper River and Canal Transport (“Casper River”), a subsidiary of Casper Chartering Limited, on its purchase of Off-Roader from MMS Offshore Renewables Services Limited (MMS). Off-Roader is the first vessel in Casper River’s fleet and offers an economic and environmentally friendly…
Blue Badge holders notified of arrangements for York’s Christmas Market
Blue Badge holders are being notified that the two routes into York city centre will temporarily close from 10:30am-7pm daily during the Christmas market period of 14 November to 22 December. This will be the first such closure since the routes reopened, and access will remain open 7pm-10:30am daily. It was agreed when these routes…
Airbourne colours moves into new aircraft paint facility
An industry leading aircraft painting company has welcomed its first aircraft arrival for the opening of its new base at Teesside International Airport. Airbourne Colours unveiled its new aircraft painting facility at Teesside Airport for an opening ceremony on Tuesday (October 1) following a £6.5million investment. The first aircraft to be painted at the facility…
York primary schools urged to take part in new national school breakfast club scheme
Primary Schools across York are being urged to join the Government’s scheme to host free breakfast clubs, following on from the pioneering work of the city’s York Hungry Minds Appeal. Last week [24 September], Chancellor Rachel Reeves, announced plans to fund free breakfast clubs in 750 ‘early adopter’ state-funded primary schools across the country from April next…
Silver award recognises healthy, sustainable and ethically sourced catering at York St John University
YSJ Kitchen receives prestigious Food for Life Silver certification from the Soil Association The York St John Catering team are celebrating after achieving the Food for Life Silver award from the Soil Association. This sector-leading certification independently recognises the quality of the food served on campus and the measures that have been taken to protect…
Free courses to support parents and carers in York
Parents and carers in York are being reminded that there is a wide range of free courses to help support them and their children, many of which are available online. The courses are run by both national and local providers and cover a wide range of topics from pregnancy and newborns, to teenagers or children…
Introducing Elimini: working to deliver carbon removals at megaton scale and 24/7 renewable power
Elimini, a new US-based business with an ambition to be a leader in carbon removals, has today been launched at Climate Week NYC. The company is dedicated to permanently removing carbon from the atmosphere while generating renewable, 24/7 power. By advancing bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the United States and beyond, the…
York walls in bloom
Residents and visitors will be able to experience areas of the city walls from a fresh perspective next spring, as this unique and historic space blooms into life. Volunteers and businesses from across the city are coming together this week to help transform the City Walls embankments, for the first phase of the York Walls in…
Student becomes first York St John University Fellow to attend prestigious Venice Biennale festival
York St John University master’s in Fine Art (MFA) student Lily Horton has been chosen as a Venice Biennale Fellow. Lily is the first York St John student to receive this honour, part of a new partnership between the University and the British Council. The Venice Biennale is one of the oldest and most prestigious…
Be Bright, Be Seen, Be Safe
Be Bright, Be Seen, Be Safe is the key message from City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council during Cycle to School Week [23-27 September]. Getting to school safely, especially as the nights are now getting darker is one of the most important things taught in schools, through the Bikeability and pedestrian training sessions, which…
Night works to make improvements to A1079 Hull Road, B1228 Elvington Lane and York Road, Dunnington
City of York Council is carrying out road maintenance works on the A1079 Hull Road and B1228 Elvington Lane, and York Road, Dunnington starting next week. From Monday 23 September the council will be resurfacing the A1079 Hull Road and B1228 Elvington Lane. This is expected to be completed by the morning of Thursday 10…
Residents supported to apply for all benefits they’re eligible for
A report indicating financial pressures among York residents reveals the level of need facing the council’s welfare benefit resources and how it plans to support those households. In July 2024, 2,700 households, including 1,844 children were shown to be in relative poverty. A range of local welfare support for residents includes the York Financial Assistance…
York St John University is University of the Year for Social Inclusion
York St John University has been named as the University of the Year for Social Inclusion by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. The title was given to York St John in recognition of its commitment to empowering students from all backgrounds with the opportunity to study and thrive in higher…
Power surge: UK spends £250 million each month importing record volumes of electricity from Europe
The UK is importing record amounts of power from Europe, with the country spending more than £250 million on power from abroad each month, new analysis by Drax Electric Insights has found. A record 20% of the country’s electricity demand was met by imports from Europe during the second quarter of 2024. Imports accounted for…
Front Street improvements shaped by local community go for approval
Exciting plans to make a number of improvements to Front Street will be taken to a meeting next week (24 September). In October 2023, the council’s Executive approved £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money for phase 2 improvements to Front Street in Acomb. Earlier this year, residents, visitors, businesses and other stakeholders were invited to share…
Last chance to see world class Tony Cragg exhibition at Castle Howard
Tony Cragg’s major sculpture exhibition at Castle Howard closes on 22nd September. The internationally renowned sculptor’s landmark exhibition opened on the 3 May 2024, and has been the first major exhibition by a leading contemporary artist to be held across the house and grounds of the historic estate. Castle Howard is Britain’s most famous country…
Scrutiny discussion to set a new direction of travel for York
York’s long term Local Transport Strategy will take another step forward next week (24 September) as a draft Implementation Plan is discussed at City of York Council’s Economy, Place, Access and Transport Scrutiny Committee. The Local Transport Strategy, which was adopted in July 2024, has been shaped by residents, businesses and commuters following extensive engagement….
YorHome’s fees for landlords found to be the city’s lowest!
Research by City of York Council reveals its not-for-profit letting agency YorHome charges between 6-7% less than eight other local agents. YorHome’s letting fee of 9% for homes in York is the city’s lowest management fee with no extra charges. Market research carried out this summer shows it could save landlords between about £700-£1,930 a…