In accordance with Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Proceedure 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 members of the public to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.
In summary the following issues were raised at the meeting:-
Issues of concern in and around the Headingley area
Martin Cook, Headingley Network; Dr Richard Tyler, Leeds HMO Lobby; Dr John Dickinson, Weetwood Residents Association and a number of local residents raised issues of concern in and around the Headingley area.
In summary the following issues were raised:-
· the urgent need for the Area Committee to take direct action in relation to alcohol abuse and on the growing increase in the number of take away establishments within the Headingley area
· the urgent need for the Area Committee to have a clear vision about the issues of concern within the Headingley area and to consider making an officer appointment similar to that of the post of Community Planning Officer to be funded from within the well-being budget to specifically tackle the areas of licensing/housing issues etc
· the concern expressed that Elected Members were losing their control and influence on daily issues within the Council
· the concern expressed in relation to a proposed entertainment’s licence at Headingley Stadium for the performance of live music and the need for the Council, Police and Noise Nuisance Team to look into this application, together with noise levels generally within the Headingley area with a report back on progress at the next meeting
· the urgent need to promote the ‘Headingley Vision’ document to residents living in Headingley and to work with citizens in addressing/identifying those areas of weakness
Detailed discussion ensued by Members on the points raised above with specific reference to the Forum/Sub Groups mechanism and clarification of whether the Local Development Framework was incorporated within the ‘Headingley Vision’ document.
On behalf of the Committee, the Chair expressed a sympathetic view towards those issues of concern raised within the Headingley area and reiterated the urgent need to have a wider strategy in place and to make progress on the issues raised.
In concluding, the Chair asked the North West Area Manager to prepare a report on where the ‘defects’ were for consideration at the next meeting in September 2006 and to ensure that, in the interim period, work was undertaken with interested resident groups in Headingley with a view to addressing the whole picture.
Kirkstall Mills
Councillor J Illingworth circulated a paper on Kirkstall Mills and informed the meeting that the future of two historic mill buildings was now back on the agenda with the publication of an External Audit report into the proposals for Abbey Mills and St Ann’s Mills in Kirkstall.
The Committee also noted that this issue would be discussed at the Executive Board meeting on 5th July 2006.
Cumberland Road/Application for Change of use of Church into Flats
A local resident raised the above issue and expressed her concerns about a potential traffic hazard in terms of parking should the planning application be approved.
The Chair responded and it was agreed to debate this issue further at the Headingley Forum/Planning Group.