Future of York’s heritage could be in your hands

ARE you happy with the way major decisions are made on your behalf in York?

Possibly not (at least not all of you) judging by the number of cross letters The Press receives on everything from the cobbles in King's Square to Reynard's Garage and Stonebow House.

And that's without even getting started on Lendal Bridge.

Peter Brown, of the York Civic Trust, has noticed that there is "quite a lot of cynicism amongst the general population". That is a sure sign that, rightly or wrongly, many people feel shut out from the decision-making process.

So what can be done to make us feel more involved?

Academics from the University of Leeds have teamed up with the Civic Trust and with an organisation called York's Alternative History to try to find out: at least when it comes to decisions that affect the city's heritage.

They are cooperating in a project called the York Living with History Inquiry – a grassroots 'public inquiry' into how decisions affecting York's history and heritage are made.

Given that that history and heritage is all around us, that means scrutinising how decisions are on just about every major planning application or potential development in the city, from the future of Stonebow House to what to do with the Eye of York.

The inquiry aims to examine who is involved in decision-making, and how decisions are arrived at.

Too often, says Mr Brown, the impression is given that key decisions – whether about planning, about the relative importance of heritage sites, or about the sale of city council property – are not solidly based on evidence. "Too much is subjective, or institutional, and there is not enough proper research taken into account," the director of the York Civic Trust said.

The decision by the city council, which owned the Reynard's Garage site in Piccadilly, not to shortlist a bid for the site which included an Airspeed Museum was a good example, he said.

"The leader of the council seemed to have already made a decision on what was going to happen there. I think it is really unfortunate that the decision seems to have been made purely on commercial grounds."

In addition to asking questions about the way decisions are made, however, the inquiry will also look at ways of getting more people involved in decision-making, so that better use can be made of the knowledge York people have about the city's history .

"One of our aims... is to democratise decision-making in York," said Helen Graham of the University of Leeds.

"It is to increase the number of people who feel as though what they say is taken seriously and to increase the types of knowledge and ideas which are taken into account in decision-making. We want to work with the City of York Council and to generate open, public debate between the people of York and our elected representatives and council officers /heritage professionals in the spirit of equality and collective responsibility. "

So how is the inquiry managing all this?

Researchers are quizzing the 'great and the good' of York - people like Sonja Crisp, the council's cabinet member for culture, and Janet Barnes, head of the York Museums Trust.

But they are also keen to hear from anybody with a love of the city who worries that York's heritage isn't always protected the way it should be.

There have already been several 'drop-in' sessions and public walkabouts in York, at which people have been asked for their views - most recently a 'Walk on the Wild Side' on Saturday, in which those taking part had the chance to learn about York's 'alternative' histories (including militant suffragettes, parades and protest) before retiring to a pub to discuss them.

More events are planned (see panel) – including a final public event in June (details yet to be confirmed) and, before that, a public meeting on April 12 to discuss the future of Stonebow House.

That April 12 meeting has been dubbed 'The Stonebow Inquiry', and it will be a chance to find out more about the site's history, and debate what should happen next. "We'll be sharing our work so far on the histories and uses of Stonebow House and hoping you'll share your own memories and opinions," said Helen, a research fellow at the University of Leeds' School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.

The York: Living with History Inquiry will go way beyond focussing on just one scheme, however.

It plans to put the very process of decision-making in York under the microscope - and it wants your help.

A number of key questions have been tabled. They include:

• How are decisions about how to manage York's history and heritage made?

• Who makes these decisions, and what factors influence their decision-making?

• What is the relationship between heritage, tourism, economic development and poverty?

• How does the medieval beauty of York affect the cost of housing?

• What might a more democratic decision-making process look like, and how can ordinary people's knowledge of and love for York feed into that process?

If you have thoughts on any of these issues, the York: Living with History Inquiry wants to hear from you.

To find our more or get involved, visit http://livingwithhistory.wordpress.com or email yorklivingwithhistory@gmail.com.

Or simply turn up at one of the events listed on these pages.

"We'd love it if people contacted us, if they'd like to get involved or have something they'd like to contribute," said Helen.

Over to you.

• The York: Living with History Inquiry is being coordinated by York Civic Trust, the York's Alternative History project, and the Centre for Critical Studies in Museums, Galleries and Heritage at the University of Leeds. It is part of a wider research project looking at how decisions about heritage should be made which is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

City of York Council isn't the only public decision-making body in York. But it is probably the one whose decisions consistently affect most people.

Senior council representatives – including Coun Sonja Crisp, the cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, and Mike Slater, the authority's assistant director for development, planning and regeneration – will be meeting with Helen Graham of the Living With History Inquiry later this week.

The council was considering having its own 'city conference' in which it would invite organisations and local and regional partners to come together to look at ways of 'taking things forward' in York, Mr Slater said. "But we are certainly interested in meeting with Helen and having a conversation."

When making planning decisions, the authority was bound by strict guidelines and procedures, and had to work within a national framework, Mr Slater said.

The authority would welcome anything that encouraged wider public engagement. "It would be good to have more people making an input." But he said compared to many other parts of the country, the people of York were generally already very engaged.

"There are a significant number of people having input," he said. "York is an informed and quite well-educated community. We had a huge number of responses to the local plan, which is encouraging."
 

Upcoming York: Living with History events

Live Inquiry Drop In
Wednesday April 9, 4-6pm, York Explore/Central Library, Brierley Room

The Stonebow Inquiry
April 12, 11am-3pm, Central Methodist Church, St Saviourgate

Drop in exhibition and event. Find out more about what was here before and debate what should happen next. Members of the York Living With History Project will be sharing their work so far on the histories and uses of Stonebow House and hoping you’ll share your own memories and opinions.

“In 1955 a new road was created, demolishing the Old George Hotel,” says Helen Graham. “Before that there was Hungate, a densely packed area of housing and workshops. In 1964 Stonebow House was built. In it was Carline’s, possibly York’s first supermarket, where you could save 2p on a bag of sugar.

“In 1992 a venue opened, it became much loved, it was called Fibbers. And on January 7 2014, the City of York Council decided to buy the freehold to Stonebow House with the aim of ‘entering negotiations with the long leaseholder on options for the building and sites future’.

“Some kind of decision about Stonebow House is coming. Join the Stonebow Inquiry.”

For more information and to register for a free ticket visit http://thestonebowinquiry.eventbrite.co.uk

York Guerilla Plaques Day
May 10, 10.30am-2.30pm, Friends Meeting House, Friargate

The commemorative plaques on York’s buildings and walls are a bit random, says Helen Graham. “Have you got a piece of history or a story you think should be remembered by everyone but isn’t? Then come and put alternative histories of the city in the heart of York with your own DIY heritage through our very safe and removable cardboard plaques. Just let us know you want to come via the email below.

Final public event in June
A final public event in York will be held in June to share the findings of the inquiry: details yet to be confirmed.