In accordance with Paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community 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 Community 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 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community 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 Community 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.
On this occasion there were two people who wished to address the Committee.
Suzanne Froggett, a Specialist Physiotherapist attended the meeting to inform Members about the launch of two programmes aimed at adults with neurological conditions.
Members requested further information.
Margaret Backhouse a resident of Horsforth attended the meeting.
Prior to the start of Ms Backhouse talking the Committee were informed by the Chair that Ms Backhouse was going to talk about a live planning application which was due to be heard at a forthcoming South and West Plans Panel.
It was suggested that the minutes would capture representations made and be fed back to Planning if the Members so wished.
Ms Backhouse raised concerns about a biomass fuel burner which had been installed in the vicinity of her property, and she advised that the owner had not received planning permission for the burner, and that due to complaints of the residents the application was now being heard at Plans Panel retrospectively.
Ms Backhouse informed the Members that the burner omitted 2.5 particulates which were thought to be carcinogenic. She was of the view that the height of the chimneys was at a level which did not allow the fumes to escape but were trapped by surrounding trees. Ms Backhouse said that she could no longer use her garden due to the fumes and the smell given out by the burner.
Ms Backhouse said that she had been trying to get this issue resolved for 15 months.
Two Ward Members for Horsforth informed the Committee that they were aware of the issues and had had a number of meetings with officers in relation to the height of the chimneys and the omissions from the chimneys.
The Committee was advised by the Horsforth Ward Members of the guidance which had been sought and provided by DEFRA.
Cllr. Cleasby informed the Committee that he planned to make Scrutiny aware of such matters, and provided an example of where an application for a biomass burner in a different part of the city had been refused.
Ms Backhouse was thanked for bringing this issue to the attention of the Committee.
It was noted that some Members had concerns in relation to the biomass burner at Horsforth and it was agreed that the clerk would advise the relevant Planning Officer of the representations made, so that the matter could be brought to the attention of the South and West Plans Panel prior to the Panel considering any related applications.
Three officers of the Council attended the meeting to introduce themselves to the Members as they were now working within the Outer North West area. The Officers were:
· Lee Wright, Tenant Engagement Officer working with resident groups and Housing Advisory Panel;
· Sharron Almond – Team Leader, Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team – working in Adel and Wharfedale and Otley and Yeadon areas;
· Chris Baird – Team Leader, Cleaner Neighbourhood Team – working in Guiseley and Rawdon and Horsforth areas.