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 Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee:-
a) Area Committees : Amendments to Composition – General Purposes Committee
John Dickinson, Weetwood Residents Association referred a report which had been considered at the General Purposes Committee on 8th September 2010 with regards to the proposal to move the Weetwood ward to the North West (Outer) Area Committee in order to improve the alignment of wards with comparable socio-economic profiles. He raised his concerns about this proposal and thanked Elected Members for their efforts in getting it withdrawn.
A detailed debate ensued on this issue and specific concerns were raised over the lack of consultation with Weetwood Ward Members, by either the Leader of Council, Executive Board Member or relevant officer on this proposal.
Following discussions, Councillor J Matthews put forward the following motion for the Area Committee to consider which was seconded by Councillor M Hamilton:-
‘That this Area Committee recommends to Council that it strongly opposes any changes to the North West (Inner) Area Committee’s current membership’
A vote on the motion was taken and carried.
b) New Laws on Shared Houses (HMOs)(Houses in Multiple Occupation)
John Dickinson, Weetwood Residents Association/Leeds HMO Lobby referred to the above issue and reported his concerns that following the last Area Committee meeting, Grant Shapps, Housing Minister had removed two key elements on proposals to change the new laws on Shared Houses (HMOs).
Detailed discussion ensued on this issue and the Area Committee praised the work undertaken to date by Ryan Platten, Community Planner in this area.
It was agreed for the Chair of the Area Committee to write again to Grant Shapps, Housing Minister raising the Committee’s concerns over the removal of these two key elements and to invite him to visit Headingley to see the problems at first hand. In addition, the Area Committee also requested the Acting West North West Area Manager to bring a paper, if appropriate, to the next meeting in October on the implications of these changes and to seek the views of Unipol Student Homes.
c) Hyde Park Unity Day
Ollie, Hyde Park Unity Day referred to the above issue and wished to place on record his thanks to the Area Committee for their well-being grant. The Committee noted and welcomed that this year’s event had been a success.
Amit Roy, Hyde Park Unity Day raised his concerns over the policing arrangements on the actual day of the event and on the lack of consultation on a proposal to charge for policing next year’s event.
Following a discussion, the Acting West North West Area Manager agreed to arrange a meeting between the Divisional Commander, an Elected Member from each ward of Inner North West and representatives from the Hyde Park Unity Day to discuss this issue further.
The Committee also raised their concerns about the lack of a police representative at tonight’s Area Committee meeting and the Acting West North West Area Manager agreed to follow up this issue.
d) Headingley Rugby Club – Planning Application regarding the South Stand
A representative from the Stand Alliance Group referred to the above issue and raised her concerns regarding the limited consultation with local residents regarding the size and scale of the proposals.
Councillor J Monaghan, in his capacity as Chair of the Planning Sub Group, updated the meeting on progress and it was noted that a formal meeting would take place between the developer, Community Planner and interested parties in the near future to discuss residents concerns.
e) Headingley and Hyde Park Design Statement
Richard Norton, Headingley Development Trust referred to the above issue and informed the meeting that the document was now widely available and would form part of the formal planning process. He conveyed his thanks to the Area Committee and interested parties for their efforts in this area.
f) Royal Park School
A local resident referred to the above issue and enquired if the building would be made water tight during the winter.
Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager responded and outlined the current maintenance arrangements. Specific reference was also made to the legal fees and at the request of the Chair, the Acting West North West Area Manager agreed to contact John Ramsden, City Development for a position statement on this issue with a report back at the next meeting in October.
g) Leeds Girls High School – Leeds Futsal Club
Marin Oxley and John Davison, Leeds Futsal Club referred to the above issue and reported on the outcome of a recent meeting with a School Governor at Leeds Girls High School on a proposal for the building and sports facilities being used a Centre of Excellence for Leeds Futsal Club.
Arising from discussions, Members welcomed this proposal, in principle, and emphasised the importance of being involved in the future debate of the schools facilities. It was noted that the revised planning application on Leeds Girls High School would be considered in October 2010.
h) Airport Noise – Weetwood Residents
Councillor J Illingworth referred to the above issue and raised his concerns over the continuing problems in relation to airport noise for Weetwood residents.
The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to raise this issue at the North West (Outer) Area Committee with a report back on progress at a future meeting.