In accordance with Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, at the discretion of the Chair a period of up to 10 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee. This period of time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair. No member of the public shall speak for more than three minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.
Minutes:
In accordance with paragraph 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed members of the public to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee:-
a) New Laws on Shared Houses (HMOs) (Houses in Multiple Occupation)
Dr Richard Tyler, Leeds HMO Lobby made a brief reference to the following legislation in relation to new laws on Shared Housing (HMOs):-
As a result of this legislation, all new HMOs needed planning permission and the new rules also meant that you don’t need permission to turn a HMO back into a family home.
The Committee welcomed this new legislation and paid tribute to Leeds HMO Lobby and local residents for ten years of campaigning.
In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-
· the need for a report to be brought to the Area Committee on the policing/monitoring of HMOs
(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to consult with the Housing Strategy Team with the aim of bringing a local tailored HMO report to the next meeting In July 2010)
· the view expressed that discretionary licensing could help local authorities in relation to enforcement in the long run and the need for the Area Committee to place on record it’s opposition to the Conservative’s Parties position on HMOs which favoured landlords
(The Area Committee supported this statement)
· the concerns expressed about the increasing problems of Anti Social Behaviour resulting from the large number of HMO properties in Kirkstall (Burley in particular) where student lets were not being returned to family properties and the need for the Area Committee to address this issue
(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to include this issue within the HMO report)
Councillor P Ewens joined the meeting at 7.15pm during discussions
of the above item. The meeting was now quorate.
b) Royal Park School
Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association wished to place on record her sincere thanks to Councillors for their continuing efforts in securing the retention of the building for community use.
A debate then ensued on the discussions that took place at the Council Meeting held on 21st April 2010 in relation to Royal Park School.
At the request of the Chair, the Acting West North West Area Manager provided the meeting with the background detail and it was noted that a report on this issue would be submitted to the Council’s Executive Board in July 2010.
A member of public also raised his concerns about the damage caused to the roof of the school by scaffolding works which had resulted in a number of slates being removed.
The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to raise this issue with the Asset Management Team with a report back on progress at the next meeting.
c) Proposed Closure of the City of Leeds High School
Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association, reaffirmed the
need for a high school within the Hyde Park and Woodhouse area.
d) Operations on Woodhouse Moor
Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association referred to the current operations being undertaken on Woodhouse Moor and welcomed the fact that there was no smoke or haze problems in the area. She wished to place on record her personal thanks to Kevin Barker, Executive Officer, Parks and Countryside and his team for their excellent work on Woodhouse Moor.
e) New Generation Transport (NGT) - Works on Woodhouse Moor
Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association reported her current concerns about the damage caused to a number of flagstones on Woodhouse Moor by the New Generation Transport team.
A debate ensued and the Chair agreed to contact the New Generation Transport team to ascertain the personal details of the team which would then be passed on to Sue Buckle for her information/retention.
f) Litter Problems on Woodhouse Moor
Councillor J Monaghan raised his concerns about the amount of litter on Woodhouse Moor and queried if the park was getting the additional resource as funded by Area Committee Well-being monies.
Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to raise this issue with Parks and Countryside.
g) HEART/Headingley Development Trust
A number of residents enquired on the latest position with regards to HEART/Headingley Development Trust (HDT).
Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager responded and provided the meeting with an update, together with the current legal implications regarding the transfer arrangements of the building indicating that LCC were waiting for the scheme’s external funders to resolve these matters in preparation for an exchange of contracts.
h) Barbeque Activity at Kirkstall Abbey
Councillor L Yeadon referred to a recent article on Unipol’s website which encouraged people to have barbeques at Kirkstall Abbey. She deplored this course of action.
Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to follow up this issue with a report back at the next meeting.