There were expectations, when they had successful avoided answering key policy questions during the recent Mayoral elections. that Labours transport plans might be come clearer.
Closure of roads and car parks planned
….& a report has now been produced for a York Council “scrutiny” committee. It provides no additional information, talking in generalisations about the results of a recent consultation exercise.
Fewer than 1% of the York population responded to this survey with many criticising the use of leading questions, jargon and the lack of supporting information.
One key piece of information missing was traffic modelling work which would have revealed why and when people are traveling in York .
Knowing the origin and destination and purpose of journeys, would reveal what opportunities exist to persuade more people to use buses and bikes (or to change the times when they travel) .
The needs of delivery drivers and tradespeople were almost totally ignored during the consultation.
The Council wants to create extra traffic queues despite the failure of the recent trial in the Gillygate area
The only objective figures quoted in the report refer to a, dated, Local Plan document, which mainly examined the effects that new developments in and around the York area would have on road travel.
It offers little by way of answers to “what if”. questions
As a result, those who did respond to the survey did so without any knowledge of what the knock on effects would be on the local economy or traffic congestion on alternative routes.
Unlawful Lendal Bridge closure cost Council £millions in compensation payments
There was no attempt to assess the views of the public on Labours planned “interventions” such as road closures, As Labour found out, when it closed Lendal Bridgeduring its last period in office in 2013, the reputational and financial consequences can be major and long lived.
Ostensibly the York Council is simply making representations to the new all powerful regional Mayor, A fuller set of proposals is promised for publication at the Councils June Executive meeting
Missing from the report is any mention of the deteriorating condition of Yorks roads, footpaths and cycle ways. Together with the refurbishment of other items of infrastructure, this should be the number one priority for investment,
The solution to that problem now lies in the hands of Labours new Mayor.
Along with crime prevention, it was a topic to which he appeared to offer no solutions during the recent election campaign.
Hopefully Councillors on the “scrutiny” committee will offer a robust challenge before the City drifts into another crisis.
Rge application is to use a of section of car park to construct 5. padel courts and erection of cabin accommodation with associated landscaping and boundary treatment
Padel is a comparatively new sport incorporating elements of lawn tennis but with the physical intensity of squash. The sport can be played indoors or outdoors with courts intermediate between squash and tennis courts in size. It became very popular with younger players after the COVID pandemic as it could be played outside with minimal physical contact. There are no current formal facilities for the sport in York although other courts besides those within the current proposal are projected
There have been no objections to the proposal.
Officials recommend approval of the plan and say “
“The proposal seeks permission to develop an area of car parking for a sports use in an area characterised by a mix of employment, retail and leisure related uses. The proposal is therefore considered in principle to be acceptable. In highways terms adequate vehicle parking can be provided for the site and subject to any permission being appropriately conditioned to secure cycle parking of an appropriate standard then the proposal is acceptable in highway terms”.
The proposal is to construction of new storey and roof level at 23 Tanner Row, conversion of upper floors of 23, 25 Tanner Row and 27, 29 and 31 George Hudson Street to create 17. serviced apartments (use class C1), conversion of ground floor and basement of 31 George Hudson Street to amenity space for serviced apartments above (use class C1)
Officials conclude that ” The proposed extension and change of use will not harm the character and appearance of the conservation area or the special interest of the listed buildings”
They go on to say, “The serviced apartments are acceptable in principle in this city centre location; the partial loss of the existing night club use is contrary to policy D3 of the DLP but on balance considering the applicant’s submissions, the retention of a smaller night club is considered acceptable.
Subject to planning conditions noise and air quality impacts on the serviced apartments are acceptable and the serviced apartments should not adversely impact on the functioning of the retained night club.
On balance the proposal complies with the policies of the National Planning Policy Framework and the policies of the Draft Local Plan 2018″.
Change of use of part of recreational space to contractors compound for a period of 1 year
Officials are recommending approval.
They say, “the proposal seeks planning permission for the temporary use of a section of the area of informal open space known as Holgate Dock as a construction site compound for the works for St Paul’s Nursery for a period of up to one year. The nursery site does not have sufficient space which is accessible by large commercial vehicles to accommodate a contractor’s compound. On balance the temporary loss of part of the open space land is acceptable subject to any permission being conditioned to secure compliance with the measures contained in the submitted arboricultural method statement, replacement planting and site restoration.
Following yesterdays decision to pull back from allocating a major advertisng ocntract, without going through a competitive tender process, the York Council has now said how it intends to proceed.
A report (click) claims that a full procurement exercise is needed because the value of the contract is likely to exceed a £5 million threshold. Competive tenders must therefore be sought .
This, however, means that the new contract cannot now be introduced until January 2026.
Council report 9th May 2024. click to view
It also means that planned additional income of £500,000 will not be received in the short term, putting further pressure on the Councils budget.
The report fails to respond to other criticisms of the original strategy.
The new contract, when it is agreed, is likely to be based on a profit share arrangement with the Council proportionately benefiting from advertising sales.
It will thus be under pressure to approve the installation of digital advertising boards in sensitive locations.
This is a particular problem in an historic City. Only recently the Council turned down similar plans from BT who wanted to install boards at some of their kiosk sites. There is a potential clash of interest between the Authorty as a adverting revenue recipient, and in its role as a Planning Authority
..and the odd plan to ban KitKat adverting from kiosks has not gone away. Labour Councillors still apparently want to apply a restrictive foodstuffs advertisng policy to any new contract..
The Council is being recommended today to extend the exisiting Decaux contract until December 2025.
The authority has already been labelled as “finacilly illiterate”
This latest blunder will do little to improve that reputation.
Earlier 8th May 2024
York Council backtracks on unlawful bus shelter contract
The Council has abandoned its plan to hand out a new bus shelter advertising contract without seeking competitive tenders.
It had favoured a “behind closed doors” deal with the existing Decaux provider who it had claimed would pay a bung into Labours “Community Fund”
Procurement regulations, however, require that an open tendering process be followed. This happened when Decaux took over the contract from the previous providers Adshel several years ago.
The Labour plan – which had included a ban on chocolate advertising in the shelters – had been called in for further consideration by LibDem opposition Councillors. However, before any debate about the merits of the plan could begin, Council officials capitulated and withdrew the proposal.
It is understood that a full competitive procurement process will now be implemented in accordance with the Councils financial regulations.
The costs and other consequences of the false start have yet to be revealed although a report to an Executive meeting taking place on Thursday is promised
Earlier 11th April 2023
York Council to deploy digital marketing screens in both bus shelters and on free-standing street boards
The Council is to give JC Decaux a 15-year contract for digital advertising in the City.
The company is the current provider of advertising bus shelters some of which will be converted to incorporate electronic boards. JCDecaux UK are not the only provider of bus shelters, but they own 142 bus shelters (of which 80 include paper advertising).
No competitive tenders for the contract have been sought by the Council.
Previous Councils have been cautious about rolling out intrusive digital advertising screens because of their potential impact on the historic environment and neighbour amenity.
It appears that the authority has been seduced by promises of over £100,000 in advertising revenue, a new propaganda platform for their “communications messages” plus donations from the contractor to Labour’s new “Community Fund”. The company will also facilitate “tree-planting and community-led biodiversity activities”.
Some of the shelters may incorporate air quality monitoring equipment and footfall meters.
What shelter users will not see are chocolate bar, burger, cola and junk food adverts.
All “high fat, salt and sugar” product adverts will be banned – because the Council doesn’t want residents to get fat.
There is a long list of banned goods and services (click) on the Council list although the ban does not extend to political adverts
There have been major problems with the maintenance of Decaux bus shelters in parts of the City over the last couple of years.
Damage has gone unrepaired for months on end. Some have become gathering grounds for criminals.
The new contract says that seats will be provided in every shelter. They need to get the anti social behaviour sorted out first.
The new contract will say that all items shall be cleaned at least once a fortnight throughout the year – including sides and clear roofs; graffiti and fly posters shall be removed within one working day of JC Decaux UK becoming aware or being notified; offensive graffiti shall be removed within four (4) Normal Working Hours of the JC Decaux UK becoming aware or being notified; routine repairs shall be carried out within two working days of the JC Decaux becoming aware or being notified of the fault; & “Brandsabotage/Brandalism” – on notification the JC Decaux shall replace within a day
NB. There is a further Council advertising contract held by “Community Partnerships”. There have been no reports on the success or otherwise of their stewardship although it is understood it includes the adverts seen on roundabouts and central reservations (which are rapidly disappearing into the undergrowth as the Council’s “no mow” policy takes effect) .
The planning inspectors have now published their conclusions on the Councils policies on Gypsy and Traveller accomodation They a re heavilly critical of the sttae of repair of the sites in general and Osbaldwick (see photo below) in particular..
The adoption of the Local Plan is now further delayed while the Council finds a form of words which addesses the Inspectors concerns.
The Inspectors are content for additional pitches to be provided at the Clifton and Obsbaldwick sites but only after a Masterplan for both has been approved.
The Inspectors conclusions can be viewed via this link
It is unclear how much further delay will be involved or what the implications will be for the rest of the, hugely expensive, Local Plan which has been many years in the making
Extract from Inspectors report
Earlier 6th May 2024
York Council confirms that it will spend £5 million on campsites
A report to a meeting taking place later this week says that the Council will spend £5 million upgrading and extending Traveller caravan sites in York.
The report also takes a broader look at the needs and challenges of the Traveller community. It identifies continuing problems with access to health and education services. This will be awkward for those who were charged with making improvements when the last strategy document was agreed some 10 years ago.
It seems that little progress has been made.
An annex to the report provides more information about the 86 caravans currently parked on authorised sites in the City.
City of York Council owns and runs three main Traveller sites throughout the City:
Water Lane, Clifton
Outgang Lane, Osbaldwick
James Street, York
In addition, a small number of Travellers are living on a non CYC site in the Naburn area
Site residents pay rent, council and utility charges.
In total, there are 61 individual pitches; most are big enough for 2 caravans and 1 or 2 vehicles. Each pitch has its own service block which includes a kitchen area and bathroom. There are “regular visits from support workers who manage the site and provide help when required”.
An unknown number- yet considered the majority- live in “bricks and mortar” housing throughout the city. In York, approximately 368 residents identified as Gypsy or Traveller in the Census 2021.
Officials claim that “York’s high cost of living causes significant stress for the communities with many on low incomes struggling to afford the basics”.
As usual the elephant in the room is the relationship between the Travellers and neighbouring communities. Differing lifestyles produce tensions and there is little evidence that the Council has addressed these issues effectively over recent years.
Indeed the feeling is that conflicts are often brushed under the carpet..
None more so than on the issue of unauthorised road side campsites (There is a longstanding one on the A166 )
“Looking to identify a parcel of that land might be used for Negotiated Stopping arrangements”
The Council will also have a“regular and supportive presence on the static sites, taking an educational approach to ensure people are aware of their responsibilities for issues such as waste management, fly-tipping, Scrap Metal Dealing and dogs, while at the same ensuring people are aware of the penalties for non-compliance”.
It will come as a surprise to many residents if this hasn’t happened in the past.
Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.
Full details can be found by clicking the application reference
—–
36 Green LaneAcomb York YO24 3DL
Enlargement of dwellinghouse by construction of 1no. additional storey with new roof height no greater than 3.5 metres above the highest part of the existing roof under Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) – Schedule 2, Part 1, Class AA
• Location: York, England • Employment Type: Permanent • Salary: Grade 6 Level 1- 4 £26,224 to £28,725 • Job reference: CCOM004707 • Application closing date: 19/05/2024 • Package: Hybrid • Basis: Various
Join us in making a difference! An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Council’s Corporate Business Support service as a Senior Administrative Support Officer to Social Workers where you will be part of our dedicated business support team supporting children’s social workers. We have a …[more details];
• Location: York, England • Employment Type: Permanent • Salary: Grade 5 Level 1 – 4 (£24,629 to £25,779 per annum) • Job reference: CCOM004708 • Application closing date: 26/05/2024 • Package: Hybrid • Contractual hours: 37 • Basis: Full tim
City of York Council’s Business Support team is looking to recruit a proactive, highly technically literate candidate with excellent communication skills and an ability to quickly learn and apply complex administrative processes. The successful applicant will primarily provide administrative s…[more details];
• Location: York, England • Employment Type: Fixed Term • Salary: Grade 10 Level 1- 4 (£ 40,964 to £ 46,412 pro rata per annum) • Job reference: PLAC004706 • Application closing date: 26/05/2024 • Package: 37 hours per week Fixed term until 31/03/2025 (funding) • Contractual hours: 37 • Basis: Full time
Are you an experienced project manager looking for an exciting role in delivering a flagship Council project that supports our net zero carbon ambition? The Harewood Whin Green Energy Park (GEP) project, funded by the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) Net Zero Fund, is exploring the potential in…[more details];
• Location: York, England • Employment Type: Fixed Term • Salary: Grade 11 Level 1 – 4 (£47,760 to £54,463 per annum) • Job reference: CCOM004704 • Application closing date: 17/05/2024 • Package: Fixed Term: o Additional funding Expected end date: 31/10/2025 • Contractual hours: 37 • Basis: Full time
We are seeking a qualified project manager to support the Customer and Communities Directorate in the delivery of a number of the Council’s high-profile projects. Working within the Strategic Services Team, you will be responsible for: Development and management of a programme of projects includ…[more details];
• Location: York, England • Employment Type: Permanent • Salary: Grade 9 or 10 Level 1- 4 (£35,737 to £46,412 per annum) (dependent on experience). • Job reference: CHED004700 • Application closing date: 19/05/2024 • Package: 37 hours per week • Contractual hours: 37 • Basis: Full time
We are pleased to be inviting applications for a compassionate and dedicated social worker to join our Disabled Children and Young People Team. The Disabled Children and Young People Team are committed to providing bespoke care packages to meet the unique needs of children with complex and profound d…[more details];
• Location: York, England • Employment Type: Permanent • Salary: £24,444 pro rata, per annum (qualified) £23,944 pro rata, per annum (unqualified) • Job reference: EXTL000709 • Application closing date: 22/05/2024 • Package: Permanent, Subject to funding • Contractual hours: 37.5 • Basis: Full time
York Advocacy Hub are looking to recruit an Independent Advocate (37.5 hours per week) to join our team, delivering advocacy support within York and the surrounding areas across the statutory and general advocacy streams we hold as part of our contract with the local authority….[more details];
• Location: York, England • Employment Type: Permanent • Salary: Grade 8 Level 1 – 4 (£31,947 to £34,988 per annum) • Job reference: CHED004685 • Application closing date: 26/05/2024 • Package: Hybrid • Contractual hours: 37 • Basis: Full time
We are excited to be inviting applications for new roles of Family Help Support Worker within the Children’s Safeguarding Interventions Teams. We are seeking innovative, child focused and strengths-based support practitioners to plan, coordinate and deliver interventions for vulnerable childre…[more details];
Still no progress on developing the two vacant plots at “Lowfield Green“.
One plot was designed for much-needed “extra care” accommodation for elderly people. It is over two years since the Council asked developers to bid to provide this accommodation, but the results of the process were never reported back to a Council decision meeting.
A final decision to commence construction was expected last year but instead the valuable site remains derelict. Part of it currently accommodates ugly storage containers.
It is a similar situation on the other small site (the Wates construction compound) which was supposed to have become a public service building. Not surprisingly the work on the Yorspace site has not started.
The estate roads have still not been surfaced despite promises by the Council. They are hazardous for two wheeled users and pedestrians
No remedial work on adjacent roads like Dijon Avenue and Lowfields Drive has taken place, They have been damaged by construction lorries accessing the development site.
Street signs have been discarded and are a poor advert for what was supposed to be a prestigious development .
All in all both new and old residents could reasonably have expected all work to have been completed by now.
Local Councillors should stick their heads over the parapet and speak up against this disgraceful neglect.
This web site has not been a fan of adding an elected Mayor to the structure of local government in the area. The extra tier means more costs, the same services and an increasingly remote decision making process.
It seems that most electors agree
Fewer than 30% turned out to vote in yesterdays contest – which was won by the Labour candidate.
There was a clear move away from the right with Labour gaining 14% more and the LibDems 5% more of the vote, compared to the last PPC election held in November 2021 (the most recent election to be held on the same boundaries).
No one knows what to expect from Labours man who tried very hard to be non committal on key policy areas such as crime reduction and transport. Still he increased his share of the vote from a losing 20% in Wheldrake in 2023 to a winnng 35% this year.
Neither percentage suggests much popular support.
What the result might have been had the supplementary vote system still been in use we will never know.
There may be a clue to what lies ahead if we look at last years narrow win for Labour in the York Council elections. Their policies of cutting public service standards only became clear after the polls had closed.
So we will see.
The LibDems need to do some serious rethinking of their electoral strategy. They had an excellent candidate but too many of their Councillors went missing during what, some saw as, a key campaign.
Earlier – First up – New nameplates all round
Office of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to be renamed York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning
The first York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral Election took place on Thursday 2 May 2024. The Mayor will take up the role officially on 7 May 2024. On 7 May 2024 the roles and responsibilities of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will transfer to the York and North Yorkshire Mayor. On the same day, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will become part of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
From 7 May 2024 the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will be renamed the York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning (OPFCC). From 7 May 2024, and until the Mayor determines, in conjunction with the Combined Authority Leadership Team, that changes should be planned and implemented: ·
Our website is not moving and will retain the same address: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/ · Our email addresses will remain the same, for example: For general enquiries: info@northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk For Customer Services: customerservice@northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk · Our telephone number will remain the same: 01423 569 562 · Our team will continue to work all over the county with our base remaining at Harrogate Police Station. We will have a new logo, but we have kept it very similar to the old one to retain the brand identity which we have established since 2012. Here’s a reminder of some of the services provided by our office: Customer Services · The Customer Service Team will continue to manage all compliments and complaints for both North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service from 7 May. · The Customer Service Team will remain the entry point for all complaints. For clarity: Complaints and compliments about North Yorkshire Police will to be handled by the York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning – Customer Service Team (previously known as Commissioner’s independent Complaints and Recognition Team), to ensure fairness, for both residents and the police. Complaints and compliments about North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be handled by the York and North Yorkshire Office for Policing, Fire, Crime and Commissioning – Customer Service Team (previously known as Commissioner’s independent Complaints and Recognition Team), to ensure fairness for both residents and the Fire and Rescue Service. For more information on complaints and compliments and how they are dealt with visit: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/how-can-we-help/complaints/ Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire – For when you’ve been a victim of crime or think you may have been. Our Supporting Victims Team will continue to provide support for anyone affected by crime. This includes people who have been a victim of crime themselves, people who have suffered a bereavement as a result of crime, people who are the family spokesperson for a victim, the parents or guardians of victims under 18, and members of staff where their business has been subject to crime. If you have suffered as the result of a crime and you are finding it hard to cope, Supporting Victims can help you – even if you have decided not to report that crime to the police. The first step is to get in touch with the Supporting Victims team. You can do this by · phone: 01609 643 100 or by · email: help@supportingvictims.org · visit: www.SupportingVictims.org to find out more Scrutiny We will continue to work with communities the police and fire services to develop plans for Policing, Crime and Fire and Rescue: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/plan/ We will continue to scrutinise North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service to enable the Mayor to hold Chief Officers to account. Read our Assurance Frameworks: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/police-oversight/governance/assurance-framework/https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/fire-oversight/governance/assurance-framework/ We will continue to hold monthly Online Public Meetings which are broadcast LIVE. – Your Mayor – Your Voice: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/yourvoice/ At these public meetings, the performance of the police and fire service will be scrutinised, on YOUR behalf. These meeting also enable the public to ask their questions which the Mayor will ask The Chief Constable and Chief Fire officer on their behalf. Full details on the subjects under the spotlight, how to watch and ask your questions are published on our website: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/opm/ Commissioning Services We will continue to commission excellent services and ensure they are available for victims of crime, to support them to cope and recover; for perpetrators to address the root causes of offending and reduce the chances of re-offending; and for vulnerable people coming into contact with the police to enable them to access the support they need: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/for-you/services/commissioned-services/ Funding a Community Project We will continue to provide funding for community projects via the Community Fund, Community Safety Services Fund and Serious Violence Duty Fund: https://northyorkshire-pfcc.mixd.co.uk/how-can-we-help/community-projects/ Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls We will continue to lead the governance and support the delivery of the Joint Violence against Women and Girls Strategy which sets out a collective commitment from groups and organisations across the area, including North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Yorkshire remove County Council and City of York Council, and has been written collaboratively and following extensive consultation with victims and survivors themselves: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/womenandgirls/ Delivery Plan To find out more about the planned work of our office read our Public Delivery Plan 2024/25: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/commissioner/office/plan/ Working together We will continue to work with other organisations, such as Government, national agencies, local authorities, and the criminal justice system, to deliver positive outcomes for York and North Yorkshire, keeping people safe, and feeling safe. ENDS
Comes in the wake of the Salvation Army controversy
Only 6 months after ditching its deal with the Salvation Armyto look after people found sleeping rough in the City, the Council is set to terminate its contract with the charity (The Cyrenians) which runs homeless accommodation in the city
Th service provides emergency/temporary accommodation and support, using residential placements, for everyone who is homeless over the age of 16. The service supports people to develop the skills to live independently and prevent homelessness.
The Councils existing external contract was commissioned on 1st February 2017 from The Cyrenians Ltd. (trading as “Changing Lives”) to reduce homelessness. The Contract will expire on 31st July 2024 (the term having previously been extended beyond the original expiry date of 31st January 2022 by a further 2.5 years).
The current annual cost is £1,098,375.
The scope of this contract covers: –
24/7 hostel provision at Union Terrace (39 male units)
24/7 hostel provision at Robinson Court (14 female units and 4 young people’s units)
floating tenancy support to shared housing and people living in the community (74 units across 14 houses, including Scarcroft Rd, and 12 training flats).
Making Every Adult Matter services (“MEAM”) which provide intensive support and multi-agency coordination to up to 28 adults with complex needs.
Mental Health Housing First service (“MHHF”) which supports up to 21 individuals with a long history of mental ill health and challenging lives to live independently.
This is also supplemented by charitable provision by Restore who provide a further 41 beds of uncontracted, shared accommodation in 10 properties, at zero cost to the council. The service provided has proven highly effective at supporting individuals and getting them to the point where they can move on into self-contained accommodation.
Now the Council wants to end the contract and – rather like the Salvation Army issue -bring the service “in-house”. This wish appears to be based on political dogma rather than any attempt to put the homeless first.
The Council claims that this can be done at zero additional cost.
Anyone who has been through this kind of exercise will doubt that. There will also be major concerns about any break in provision between the time that the contract expires and the launch of a new service. Senior management at West Offices cutbacks mean that there is limited experience and capacity to call on.
While those currently working for The Cyrenians will be entitled to transfer to new Council posts under TUPE arrangements, there is no guarantee that they will want to do so.
The Council has multiple job vacancies for care workers and there are reports that experienced staff across the authority are considering leaving in the wake of the turmoil caused by cuts being imposed by the Labour administration.
There is a very real danger that this will go badly wrong and that the victims will be vulnerable homeless people.
Young care leavers in York have been able to learn new skills, increase their independence and get life-enriching experiences thanks to the support of local businesses.
City of York Council has been working with local businesses to help care leavers gain access to work experience, training and employment opportunities.
The partnership has included GMI’s bespoke ‘Construction Cares’ Programme at York College, led by GMI Construction Group PLC, enabling young people to improve their DIY skills as they transition into independent living. Activities included learning how to hang shelves, putting on locks and door handles and painting and decorating.
GMI Construction Group PLC is one of a host of organisations across the UK which have signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant and is a Signatory Partner. The covenant is a national initiative which supports care leavers aged 16-25 to live independently, creating education, employment and training opportunities.;
Businesses, education providers and other organisations can sign up to the Covenant to pledge their practical support to care leavers.
Other businesses across the city have offered support for care leavers in other ways, including providing work experience opportunities, Christmas gifts and tickets to local sporting events.dvise them how they can best help.
Claire Preston – Head of Responsible Business @ GMI Construction Group PLC, explained:
“GMI Construction Group PLC created their bespoke ‘Construction Cares Programme’ in 2023 and have so far delivered this programme in Birmingham, Manchester and York and have had over 55 care leavers attend.
It is so important to teach young people life skills so they can adapt them when moving into a home of their own. Three care leavers from the programme have gone into full-time apprenticeships and four have signed up for a Construction qualification.
“I really believe that companies of all sizes can create support offers for care leavers. If you can get senior buy-in and you have the will to support young people, you can overcome challenges that SMEs might face in signing up to programmes like the Covenant.”
York News Focus 