In order to facilitate the Open Forum whilst certain restrictions relating to the pandemic remain in place, the process has been adapted slightly, so that members of the public are invited to make written submissions in advance of the meeting on any matter which falls within the Committee’s terms of reference. These will be read out under the agenda item and considered by the Community Committee.
Minutes:
In order to facilitate the Open Forum while the Community Committee was meeting remotely, the process had been adapted so that members of the public were able to submit written representations in advance of the meeting.
The following submissions had been made.
From Love in a Box:
Love in a Box is a foodbank/clothes bank that operates from the Leeds Grand Mosque. They normally operated with Oblong and Rainbow Junction and open every week on a Sunday morning. Customers that normally visit both Oblong and Rainbow Junction will be now referred to Love in a Box. This would be for July and August and Love in a Box would have to open on an extra day through the week. More food would have to be obtained during this period and also as products were partly bought in, more money would have to be spent.
The organisation was asking the Committee for support in goods or money so support could continue to be given to the Community in Hyde Park.
Members were in support of the organisation and praised their work during the pandemic. It was recognised that support was needed and Members would consider what could be done following further budget discussions. A formal application for funding had not been submitted by the organisation.
From Leeds Residents Anti-Social Behaviour Support Group:
Over the last 15 years Headingley & Hyde Park residents have suffered due to anti-social behaviour in the area. It has made residents, families, children’s and also students lives a misery and affected mental health and wellbeing. People have suffered sleep deprivation and families have moved out of the area due to student anti-social behaviour and all night music parties.
The Council receives hundreds of complaints each year from residents regarding this major issue in the community. Can I ask why Leeds Council and its enforcement team do not treat Leeds university and Becketts University as they would any other business in Leeds and issue formal warning legal notices leading to court action against the universities. Students are legally contracted to the Universities and are therefore an extension of the Universities.
The Universities of Leeds need to be held more accountable for the behaviour of their students and a threat of legal action would focus minds on this major local issue.
It was reported that there had been a meeting earlier in the day which involved MPs, Elected Members, West Yorkshire Police and representatives of the Universities and the Council. A summary of the meeting had been posted on the Headingley and Hyde Park Councillors Facebook page.
Issues focussed on at the meeting included noise disturbance, anti-social behaviour and environmental issues.
Although the universities provided extra resources to deal with these issues it was felt that these should be increased and re-directed. It was also felt that there was a need for the Universities to increase engagement with the community. There would be another meeting next month and would be extended to Members in the other Inner North West wards. It was also suggested that residents groups should be involved.
It was further reported that Leedswatch had been working with West Yorkshire Police and LASBAT regarding these issues.