Agenda item

Open Forum

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 to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee:-

 

a)  City of Leeds High School

  Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association made 

  reference to a recent newspaper article regarding a fourteen year old

  pupil from the City of Leeds High School who had his art work

  exhibited at a recent Art School Open day in Leeds.

 

  The Committee noted and welcomed this fantastic achievement and

  acknowledged the brilliant work being undertaken at the school, in

  particular for those children with learning difficulties.

 

b)  Batcliffe House

  John Christie, Queenswood Tenants and Residents Association and 

  Peter Jones, Queenswood Drive resident raised their serious concerns

  about the vandalism being caused to Batcliffe House which was on the 

  border of Kirkstall/Headingley ward, near the junction of Quenswood 

  Drive/Kirkstall Lane. It was reported that the un-occupied building was

  in a bad state of repair and they requested the Area Committee to

  take action in reprimanding the landlord.

 

Discussion ensued on the need for the police to take action and on 

  protocol and legal standing of the Council of bringing back the property

  into Council ownership.

 

  Jason Singh, Environmental Locality Manager who was in attendance

  reported on the current actions being taken to resolve the issues.

 

  In concluding, the Area Committee requested the Environmental 

   Locality Manager to convene an multi-agency meeting as a matter of

  urgency with the Police, Environmental  Health and the Chair to

  address the issues of concern with a report back on progress at the

  next meeting.

 

  In the interim period, the Chair also agreed to write to the Executive

  Member Development bringing this issue to his attention.

 

c)  Child Protection Issue – Kendal Carr Area

  A local resident raised his concerns about a registered sex offender

  living in the Kendal Carr area and he requested the Area Committee to

  take appropriate action.

 

  Jane Maxwell, WNW Area Leader responded and agreed to report this 

  back to Children’s Services.

 

 

 

d)  Leeds Housing Strategy

Dr Richard Tyler, Leeds HMO Lobby reaffirmed the need for a Leeds

  Housing Strategy to be established.

 

  He also referred to the Area Leader’s report on the agenda and 

  commented on the role and effectiveness of the Planning Sub Group, 

  Environment Sub Group and the need to retain the Transport Sub 

  Group in view of the major transport issues that existed within the area.

 

e)  Leeds Rugby Club Application – Environmental Impact Plan

  Marian Charlton, South Stand Alliance made reference to the current 

  Leeds Rugby Club application and enquired if an Environmental Impact

  Plan had been attached to this development in relation to match day

  crowd control and noise nuisance to the area.

 

  Discussion ensued on the proposals relating to the South Stand 

  and Councillor M Hamilton put forward a proposal for individual

  Members to write to object to the planning application on the above

  grounds.

 

  The proposal was supported.

 

f)  Unity Day – 23rd July 2011

  Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association informed the

  meeting that Unity Day would take place on 23rd July 2011. She

  also thanked the Area Committee for their funding support.