Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on a request for scrutiny in relation to a need for a cost benefit analysis regarding a proposed designated bbq area on Woodhouse Moor.

Referring to Minute 19 of the meeting held on 7^th July 2009, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on a request for scrutiny in relation to a need for a cost benefit analysis regarding a proposed designated BBQ area on Woodhouse Moor.

Appended to the report was a copy of a letter entitled ‘Protect Woodhouse Moor’ dated 15^th July 2009 addressed to the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on behalf of the North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association; South Headingley Community Association; Marlborough Residents’ Association and Friends of Woodhouse Moor.

The reason for the request for scrutiny was the alleged “failure by Parks and Countryside to include in its report of 8 October 2008, a cost benefit analysis to enable meaningful comparisons to be made between enforcing the existing byelaws on Woodhouse Moor, and Parks and Countryside’s preferred option of designated barbecue areas”.

In addition to the above document, a copy of the report of the Director of City Development submitted to the Executive Board meeting on 26^th August 2009 entitled ‘Woodhouse Moor Park Barbecue Use’ was circulated as supporting information.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Councillor J Procter, Executive Board Member for Leisure

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Mike Kinnaird, Recreation Project Manager, City Development

Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association

Bill McKinnon, Friends of Woodhouse Moor

The Chair informed the Board that Councillor A Carter, Executive Member for

Development and Regeneration was not available to attend today’s meeting having had a prior engagement.

The Chair stated that there had been a request that the Executive

Board on 26^th August 2009 defer consideration of the City Development department’s report on the designated barbecue area, pending the outcome of the Scrutiny Board’s deliberations today, but the Executive Board Member for Leisure had refused.

The Board also further noted that a subsequent request for scrutiny regarding byelaws on Woodhouse Moor had been received by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development. 

The Chair invited the above attendees to provide relevant background information and to highlight key issues in relation to the request for scrutiny and Board Members sought clarification on the points raised. 

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  clarification of the proposed layout of the designated barbecue area

(The Executive Member for Leisure responded and outlined the proposals in relation to grass-crete, a cellular hard block concrete system which allowed grass to grow through and confirmed that such proposals would be discussed with the North West (Inner) Area Committee)

·  clarification as to whether the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services had been consulted in relation to fire regulations

(The Executive Member for Leisure responded and confirmed that both the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the West Yorkshire Police had been consulted on the proposals contained within the Executive Board report of 26^th August 2009 meeting. He acknowledged that more work would be undertaken by officers on the process of disposing of temporary barbecues)

·  clarification of the date when the Parks Management Plan was adopted and became operative and whether there was a dedicated management team who looked after Woodhouse Moor

(The Executive Member for Leisure responded and confirmed that the Parks Management Plan was implemented in 2005.  He briefly outlined the current management structure at Woodhouse Moor with specific reference to a post of a site based gardener who was supported by mobile teams)

·  clarification as to whether having a designated barbecue area in place would prevent other fires occurring on Woodhouse Moor

(The Executive Member for Leisure responded with specific reference to the benefits which the proposed designated barbeque area would have in terms of enabling more effective enforcement)

·  clarification as to whether the universities had been consulted on providing any extra resources for enforcement

(The Executive Member for Leisure responded and made reference to the Cultural Partnership network where discussions were ongoing in this regard)

·  clarification of the potential costs and benefits in relation to enforcing a whole ban of barbeques on Woodhouse Moor

·  clarification as to whether there would be an opportunity for constructive discussion between the Friends of Woodhouse Moor and the Council

(The Executive Member for Leisure responded and welcomed an early dialogue between the Council and Friends of Woodhouse Moor in relation to the current Parks Management Plan and the trial of the designated barbecue area on Woodhouse Moor.  The point was made that £250k of Section 106 money was available to be spent on the park, and has so far been held up due to objections to all proposals by the Council from local community groups)

·  reference to photographs submitted to all Members of Council from the North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association

The Chair then allowed Sue Buckle, Bill McKinnon and Councillor J Procter to sum up prior to the Board making a formal resolution on the request for scrutiny.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the request for scrutiny from the North Hyde Park Neighbourhoods Association, South Headingley Community Association, Marlborough Residents Association and Friends of Woodhouse Moor in relation to a need for a cost benefit analysis regarding the options available for a proposed designated barbecue area on Woodhouse Moor be refused.

c)  That a copy of the report on the outcome of the trial of a designated barbecue area on Woodhouse Moor be submitted to this Board for consideration in due course

d)  That this Board recommends that arrangements be made for a meeting between the Council (Parks and Countryside), Friends of Woodhouse Moor and other interested parties as soon as possible.

e)  That, in relation to a request for scrutiny in relation to the practices and procedures regarding the Park Byelaws on Woodhouse Moor, this matter be referred to the appropriate Scrutiny Board for consideration.