News-in-Brief – Issue 222

ALCOHOL BAN

Alcohol consumption on the streets of York is under threat, as the Council is considering plans to make the entire city an alcohol exclusion zone.

Many students will have noticed signs popping up across town forewarning drinkers that they could face a fine of up to £500 if they do not comply with confiscation orders.

However, most of the complaints in a petition signed by taxi drivers and business owners last September said the main problem with drinking related anti-social behaviour was around the taxi rank near Heron Foods – not a location near the YUSU endorsed nights.

BENDY NO MORE

In a controversial decision, the much maligned First FTR purple bendy buses are to be scrapped by Easter.
They ll replace the buses with more familiar and easily accessible’ double deckers. They are scrapping the buses due to their overly large size, which causes problems for other motorists and is also said to damage the city’s roads.

Despite ‘easy access’ claims, YUSU Disabled Students’ Officer Liam Haakon Smith was concerned.
“The new buses they use actually have fewer reserved seats for disabled people and I have to walk further down the bus to get to one,” he told Vision.

The lack of need for both a conductor and a driver also means up to thirty jobs could be lost due to the scrapping of the buses.

BY-ELECTIONS

ON CAMPUS, after a fairly unsuccessful JCRC election season, colleges have been holding their by-elections this term to fill vacant positions.

Derwent were the first to announce their results, shortly after students finished their January exams. Each of the eight elected candidates received around fifty votes, a solid turnout.

Vanbrugh College enjoyed significant success, electing six new positions, whilst Halifax had perhaps the most problems filling their committee, and added eight members to the JCRC in the by-elections. After successful by-elections, Halifax President George Offer spoke to Vision to congratulate the new members.

Every college had positions to fill in what was a period nearly as busy as the elections in December. A full list of results for all colleges can be found on respective JCRC boards.