Agenda item

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report to update the Outer West Community Committee on a report that has been prepared by officers in Planning & Sustainable Development in response to a request by Stuart Andrew MP and the Sunnybank Residents group to investigate options for moving forward longstanding issues for residents who have a BD (Bradford) postcode but live within the Leeds City Council boundary.

The report is brought for members to note and for discussion and questions.

(Reports attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer updated the Outer West Community Committee on a report (Appendix 1 of the submitted report) that has been prepared by officers in Planning & Sustainable Development in response to a request by Stuart Andrew MP and the Sunnybank Recreation Group to investigate options for moving forward longstanding issues for residents who have a BD (Bradford) postcode but live within the Leeds City Council boundary.

The report was brought for members to note and for discussion and questions. Following the committee meeting the report was to be released to residents who responded to the consultation and other involved parties. It was noted that the final decision in relation to a postcode change request lies solely with Royal Mail and is not a decision that can be taken by Leeds City Council. Therefore, members of the Outer West Community Committee were not requested to make a decision on the postcode change itself.

Members were advised of the following points:

·  Consultation had been taken with residents of the Sunnybank Estate between September and December 2020.

·  The Sunnybank Estate have suffered confusion in relation to a number of services including midwifery, health centres and hospitals.

·  The report at Appendix 1 included responses from services such as Police, Ambulance, health centres and hospitals it also provided a response from Royal Mail.

·  It was noted that the report highlighted that a postcode change would resolve some of the difficulties experienced.

·  In noting Royal Mail’s response that they would be unlikely to change the postcode for non-operational reasons, the report recommended further liaison with relevant agencies, in order to raise further awareness of the problems and seek improvements.

·  It was noted that within the report the residents group name had been given incorrectly. It should be Sunnybank Recreational Group.

Member’s discussions included:

·  Members acknowledged that whilst other areas experienced similar difficulties, it had hoped that this process would have seen a change in the postcode as requested, which could then be used as an example for other communities moving forward.

·  Acknowledging the considerable work which had already be undertaken by the residents of the Sunnybank Estate in communication with the Royal Mail to change the postcode to an LS28 postcode to enable them to receive the correct services and avoid confusion.

·  Members highlighted residents’ disappointment that press coverage had reported that the change of postcode was to increase house prices, emphasising that this was not the case, with the aim being address issues of confusion for the residents in relation to where and how they receive services.

·  Members were disappointed that this report had not been submitted to the Executive Board for consideration.

The Chair said that the Community Committee were disappointed that the Royal Mail had not addressed this issue before now, and in acknowledging the recommendations within the report. It was the view that a change of postcode would not affect or be an issue for the Royal Mail but would improve services for the residents.

The Chair thanked the officers for the work that they had done on this issue.

RESOLVED – That the contents and the recommendations of the submitted report and appendix be noted, and that in highlighting the Committee’s disappointment in the matter not being submitted to the Executive Board, it be requested that actions be taken by the relevant Council departments to ensure that residents experience tangible improvements from Council services moving forward.