Latest news with #JennyKent
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Calls for bigger bins outside city centre
The recent rollout of larger litter bins in York should be extended beyond the city centre, as existing ones elsewhere struggle to cope, a local campaigner has said. York Council recently introduced larger 240l litter bins in an attempt to stop them overflowing. Liberal Democrat activist Andrew Mortimer said the council should consider installing these bins outside shops and takeaways by the Hull Road and Melrosegate junction to replace ones that regularly overflow. Jenny Kent, the council's environment spokesperson, said its waste collection teams were working to keep the city as tidy as possible despite being stretched. The new bins have been installed at the southern end of Parliament Street, in Stonebow, Duncolme Place and along Blake Street. A council report stated there were plans to install bins in Station Road, close to York Station by the Cholera Burial Ground, this year. It added other sites could be considered for new bins as and where appropriate. The council has also bought a compact Goupil vehicle designed to pass through narrow spaces in the city centre to collect and clean bins more quickly. Staff will also be working on new shift patterns that cover longer hours and seven days a week from this spring, following a successful trial during the Christmas Market period. An extra road sweeper has also been added to the council's fleet this year. Speaking at the council's Environment Decision Session on April 29, Mortimer said suggestions that the rollout of larger litter bins could take place were welcome, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. He said: "But the report only seems to deal with the city centre, there's a high concentration of takeaways at Hull Road shops and existing bins there are regularly overflowing at the weekend with pizza boxes. "This seems like the ideal location to trial a larger bin." Environment executive member Kent said: "When we've got nine million visitors a year there will be bins overflowing on a hot summer's day but that doesn't mean there isn't a schedule in place. "Those bins will be collected and if they haven't been, there's a good reason for it, it doesn't mean that someone doesn't care or that there isn't a system. "Our teams are stretched as they are in all local authorities, but some of the pictures I see on a daily basis of what they've cleaned up before we've had breakfast is revolting. "They don't give up and they put up with complaints, they're the unsung heroes of our city." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. Wheelie bins set for roll-out to nearly 6,000 homes Fines for urinating in the street and dog fouling Bin workers to switch to four-day weeks York City Council
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Street urination 'due to lack of public toilets'
A lack of public toilets is one of the reasons people are urinating and defecating in York's streets, a report has found. Almost 4,200 reports of street urination were recorded in 2023-2024 and City of York Council is set to review plans to introduce £100 fines. A report to the executive committee, which will meet on 22 April, said the penalty was a more reasonable, proportionate and cost-effective way of punishing offenders than lengthy and expensive court proceedings. Almost half of the people asked about urinating in the street blamed a lack of public toilets, it noted. However, it added the provision of public toilets was an ongoing challenge. "It is expensive and anti-social behaviour creates further difficulties in upholding cleansing and maintenance standards," the report said. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, York's Business Improvement District received 4,194 requests to clean up urine and 2,058 related to human biohazard fluid, such as vomit, in the 12 months to March. There were 280 requests to clean up faeces, including from dogs, from the start of 2024 to November. During a council consultation, 162 out of 346 people blamed the issue on a lack of public toilets and 83% of 1,026 respondents backed the £100 fines. One respondent said: "Urination and defecation in the streets is disgusting. "But it happens mainly in the city centre where the lack of public toilets at certain times of the day lead to people taking desperate measures." The authority has recently spent £65,000 on upgrading public toilets in Silver Street in the city centre and Front Street in Acomb. A further £254,000 had been made available to provide toilet, changing and shower spaces for the severely disabled. The report added: "Councillor Jenny Kent, the council's executive member for environment and climate emergency, is clear that access to clean toilets is an essential hallmark of public health, and the number, location and management of toilets is therefore currently under review." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Fines for urinating in the street and dog fouling Local Democracy Reporting Service City of York Council
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Lack of public toilets in York blamed for street urination
A lack of public toilets is one of the reasons people are urinating and defecating in York's streets, a report has 4,200 reports of street urination were recorded in 2023-2024 and City of York Council is set to review plans to introduce £100 fines.A report to the executive committee, which will meet on 22 April, said the penalty was a more reasonable, proportionate and cost-effective way of punishing offenders than lengthy and expensive court half of the people asked about urinating in the street blamed a lack of public toilets, it noted. However, it added the provision of public toilets was an ongoing challenge."It is expensive and anti-social behaviour creates further difficulties in upholding cleansing and maintenance standards," the report to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, York's Business Improvement District received 4,194 requests to clean up urine and 2,058 related to human biohazard fluid, such as vomit, in the 12 months to were 280 requests to clean up faeces, including from dogs, from the start of 2024 to a council consultation, 162 out of 346 people blamed the issue on a lack of public toilets and 83% of 1,026 respondents backed the £100 fines. 'Taking desperate measures' One respondent said: "Urination and defecation in the streets is disgusting."But it happens mainly in the city centre where the lack of public toilets at certain times of the day lead to people taking desperate measures."The authority has recently spent £65,000 on upgrading public toilets in Silver Street in the city centre and Front Street in Acomb.A further £254,000 had been made available to provide toilet, changing and shower spaces for the severely report added: "Councillor Jenny Kent, the council's executive member for environment and climate emergency, is clear that access to clean toilets is an essential hallmark of public health, and the number, location and management of toilets is therefore currently under review." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Volunteers sought to 'rejuvenate' York city centre
A leading York business organisation is seeking volunteers to help spruce up the city centre this year. York BID wants help from businesses and the public for its Rejuvenation Days on March 11, 13, 18 and 20. The organisation coordinated nine Rejuvenation Days in 2024, which saw 700 pieces of individual infrastructure rejuvenated due to the help of 200 volunteers. York BID seeks more support in 2025 to clean And paint worn-out street furniture such as bike racks, benches, bollards and more. RECOMMENDED READING: York BID succeeds with more Rejuvenation Days in city centre Middletons Hotel and Barclays fund YorkBID riverside cleanup This March, Rejuvenation Days will focus on Micklegate and the surrounding area, ensuring the city continues to look its best. The BID says Rejuvenation Days are not just a great team building experience that supports your corporate social responsibility goals, they're also a lot of fun! With all equipment provided, volunteers simply need to turn up, and the BID will handle the rest. Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID said: 'It was fantastic to see so many businesses, residents, and community groups come together last year to make a real difference in our city. 'The enthusiasm and civic pride were truly inspiring – whether people took a day off work or joined as local residents, everyone played a part. We can't wait to see how much of an impact we can make together in 2025!' Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for the Environment and Climate at City of York Council said: 'York BID Partnership Rejuvenation Days: the perfect antidote to a long grey winter, and a powerful example of the difference we can all make - in just one day. 'It's fantastic to be a part of the enthusiasm, pride and positivity of everyone involved. Roll up your sleeves, sign up for a session and help transform our streets this Spring.' A York resident identified as Nicole said: 'Volunteering for this project was an incredibly rewarding experience! There's something so satisfying about seeing the immediate impact of a cleaned-up space and fresh coat of paint. 'It's amazing how a little effort can brighten up the city for everyone. Plus, working alongside other volunteers made it fun and fulfilling. If you're looking for a way to give back and take pride in your community, this is the perfect opportunity!" To take part, sign up via or contact info@ for more information.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
Illicit vapes and tobacco worth £5k seized in raid
Illegal tobacco and vapes with a street value of about £5,000 have been seized from a business in York. Police and Trading Standards officials visited the premises in Clifton last week and found non-compliant vapes as well as counterfeit and illicit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco, according to City of York Council. The products would be investigated and appropriate legal action would be taken, a spokesperson said. Jenny Kent, the council's executive member with portfolio for trading standards, said: "The illicit market in tobacco and vapes makes harmful products cheaper and more easily available, especially to those below the legal age limit." A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said the raid on the premises was the result of the force working closely with colleagues in Trading Standards. A total of 177 non-compliant vapes with a retail value of £2,124 were found at the premises, the council said. Meanwhile, 2,250 counterfeit and illicit cigarettes valued at £731, and 1,450g of counterfeit and illicit hand-rolling tobacco valued at £2,086 were also discovered. Kent said: "Illicit vapes are becoming much more prevalent and are partly responsible for the rise in young people vaping. "Our public health advice is that while we support e-cigarettes as effective quit aids for adults to stop smoking, people who don't smoke shouldn't vape." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. City of York Council
