Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which introduces an update regarding the work of the Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods and partners.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships introduced an update on the work of the Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods and partners regarding the first ever closure of Gledhow Valley Road for a Green Fair.

The following attended the meeting:

·  David Myles, Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods

·  Pat Hunter, Canplan

·  David Lumb, Independent Urbanist

·  Nick Wayne, World Music & Food Festival

·  Helen Hobson, CA Spaces

David Myles provided the update on the successes of the Green Fair and provided the following information:

·  The aim of the event was for people to experience Gledhow Valley Woods without traffic running through the woods and to take up active travel in the area, as well as raising awareness of local environmental issues such as air and water quality, global warming and climate change.

·  89% of the people who attended the event walked. 3k people attended the event.

·  5k funding was secured from Climate Action Leeds to facilitate the event and local ward councillors were thanked for their advice in running the event.

·  A number of partners were involved in bringing the event together.

·  80 additional volunteers were secured on the day of the event, and from that, 40 people came forward to say they were inspired to volunteer moving forward.

·  There were approximately 30 stalls.

·  96% of people who visited the event confirmed they were supportive of the road being closed more often. 86% of people thought the woods felt more peaceful without traffic, 68% of people felt that the air was cleaner and people felt more connected to the neighbourhood and meeting other people. It was also confirmed that people wanted to see improvements to Gledhow Beck and Gledhow Lake, as well as improvements to footpaths and cycle paths.

David Myles then requested that:

1)  Local residents have formed a citizens science group to monitor water on a monthly basis and want the opportunity to attend a future meeting to report on the findings.

2)  Clarity on the possibility of the group being successful on an application to gain monies from the Inner North East Community Committee to hold another event in 2025.

3)  People who attended the event commented on the need to improve the footpath and implementation of a cycle lane along Gledhow Valley Road and clarity on any opportunities to do that.

Members comments followed. In summary they related to:

·  The event being a success and well attended.

·  In terms of a future event, Committee Members shared a consensus that subject to financial implications in the future, it may not all, but in part, provide monies for a future event.

·  The Community Committee shared a consensus on the possibility of a road closure on an annual basis.

·  A suggestion for the Citizens Science Group to liaise with the relevant council department on the water quality report and/or findings.

·  Cycle lanes are dependent on funding from Government and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

·  A comment that the opening of the Bath House is a good idea.

·  The Leeds Streets For All Consultation will be live for the Inner North East Community Committee area from January 2025, and residents are encouraged to take part and put forward suggestions for improvements.

·  Leeds will be trialling solutions in terms of EV chargers to mitigate issues associated with retrofitting chargers.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the update.