City views congestion charge

Transport officials in York have ruled out congestion charges for traffic without holding a referendum.

Councillors will be looking at how effective the new system in London is.

A survey of homes in the city three years ago showed a small majority were in favour of drivers paying extra - to fund better public transport.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, the executive member for transport, says people in the city are interested if the charges are re-invested.

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National award for youth counselling service

The work of a confidential information and counselling service for young people in York has received a national award.

The Youth Enquiry Service (YES) has been awarded the Quality Charter Mark for General Help by the Community Legal Service (CLS), a government led initiative to improve access for the public to quality information, advice and legal services.

YES offers information, support and counselling to young people aged 25 years and under on a range of issues, including drugs, sexual health, housing and local services.

Dawn Moores, YES Co-ordinator, City of York Council, said: ¿We are aware of a lot of research that shows young people find it difficult to access advice and legal services and are pleased that we can help them to overcome this problem.¿

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Dales parish gets female dean

A female priest is being given a new appointment at a special service in the Yorkshire Dales.

The Reverend Sue Whitehouse, Vicar with Aysgarth with Bolton cum Redmire, will become the only female Area Dean in the Diocese of Ripon.

She is being commissioned by the Right Reverend Frank Weston at St Andew's Church, Aysgarth, on Monday.

Miss Whitehouse will take over the oversight and organisation of the Wensley Deanery.