To receive the following deputations:-
a) The Royal Park Community Consortium in relation to the former Royal Park School building and the concerns for its present safety, and potential future use as a resource for the community of Hyde Park
b) The South Headingley Community Association regarding the concerns of local residents about noise nuisance problems in the area and the ability of the present system to deal with them
c) Board of Governors of Kirkstall Valley Primary School regarding the concerns to build a proposed Waste Transfer development on Evanston Avenue
(Please note that in accordance with paragraph 6.19 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, each deputation must not exceed 5 minutes in duration)
Minutes:
i) The Committee received a deputation from John Lawrence
on behalf of the Royal Park Community Consortium in relation to the former Royal Park School building and the concerns for its present safety, and potential future use as a resource for the community of Hyde Park.
In addition to the deputation, the Chair referred to a document under the matters arising from the meeting item entitled ‘Royal Park School’ prepared by the Strategic Asset Management Service.
The purpose of the document was to update Members of the Area Committee with progress on seeking a development partner for the restoration of the former Royal Park School within a defined timetable.
The Chair invited John Ramsden, Executive Manager (Strategy), City Development to highlight the key issues within the briefing paper.
Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the deputation and briefing paper.
Councillor B Atha put forward a proposal, which was seconded by Councillor J Illingworth, requesting the Area Committee to congratulate the Royal Park Consortium and the community on their efforts in saving the building and to request the Council not to pursue the costs associated with the recent Royal Park School court action from those interested parties without delay.
The Committee agreed to this proposal.
RESOLVED-
a) That the deputation and briefing note be received and noted.
b) That the Royal Park Consortium and the community be congratulated on their efforts in saving the building and that the Council be requested not to pursue the costs associated with the recent Royal Park School court action from those interested parties without delay.
(Prior to considering the above deputation, Councillor J Monaghan indicated that he was a member of the Executive Board and could possibly be considering matters from this item at a later date in that capacity. He stated that he would remain in the meeting to listen to and take part in the discussion of this issue. In order to avoid any perception of pre-determination, Councillor Monaghan agreed that he would not be bound by any discussion taken at the meeting when issues from this matter came before Executive Board for determination, but would consider all representations and viewpoints presented at the Executive Board meeting before reaching a conclusion based on the merits of the case)
ii) The Committee received a deputation from Ian Harker on behalf of the South Headingley Community Association regarding
the concerns of local residents about noise nuisance problems from students in the Hyde Park area and the ability of the present system to deal with them.
Discussion ensued on the contents of the deputation.
Members were sympathetic of the noise and nuisance problems that existed within the area, but also wished to place on record their appreciation of the Council’s Noise Nuisance Team who were working hard towards tackling this problem.
The Chair invited Amanda Jackson to briefly comment on the protocol in relation to the Universities Neighbourhood Helpline and she confirmed that appropriate action would be taken on those who were offending. For the record, the Committee noted that the Helpline telephone number for people to phone was (0113) 343 1064.
RESOLVED- That the deputation be received and noted.
iii) The Committee received a deputation from Rachel Reeves
on behalf of the Board of Governors at Kirkstall Valley Primary School
regarding the concerns to build a proposed Waste Transfer
development on Evanston Avenue.
The deputation focused on the following specific areas :-
· the need for a traffic impact assessment to be undertaken
· the problems of smells impacting on the surrounding area, especially to nearby schools
· the environmental impact to the area
· the need for a vigorous planning procedure to be followed with full public consultation
Detailed discussion ensued the contents of the deputation.
Specific reference was made to the mis-leading figures and information previously circulated; the fact that no decision had been taken on this proposal; clarification of the tender process; and on an offer for Executive Members and Council officers to visit Kirkstall Valley Primary School to address the Board of Governors’ concerns.
RESOLVED-
a) That the deputation be received and noted.
b) That arrangements be made for Executive Members and Council officers to visit Kirkstall Valley Primary School to address the Board of Governors’ concerns.
c) That the Kirkstall and Burley Forum continue to be utilised to undertake further public consultation on the Waste Transfer development.
(Prior to considering the above deputation, Councillor B Chastney, Councillor J Matthews and Councillor L Yeadon indicated that they were Members of the Plans Panel (West) and could possibly be considering matters from this item at a later date in that capacity. They stated that they would remain in the meeting to listen to and take part in the discussion of this issue. In order to avoid any perception of pre-determination, Councillors Chastney, Matthews and Yeadon agreed that they would not be bound by any discussion taken at the meeting when issues from this matter came before Plans Panel (West) for determination, but would consider all representations and viewpoints presented at the Plans Panel (West) meeting before reaching a conclusion based on the merits of the case)