Agenda item

This report introduces the discussion topic of Love Where You Live to the Inner North West Community Committee within which officers from ASB, Leedswatch and Cleaner Neighbourhoods will present a report based upon activities in  LS6. This will be followed by a short presentation from a local resident which highlights steps taken to create a community street. Following the presentation there will be a table discussion on Love Where You Live,  how to improve your neighbourhood. 

This report introduced the discussion topic of Love Where You Live. Officers from Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Leedswatch and Cleaner Neighbourhoods provided information based on activities in LS6.

The officers present highlighted the following points:

·  The Noise Service and the Anti-Social Behaviour Team had created a dedicated service in 2021 to combat the issues in the LS6 area. They had expanded on the service for the area by adding two more response officers working seven days a week from 5pm to 4am.

·  The Universities pay for the service as a solution to curtailing noise issues. Prior to the dedicated team there had been a large number of calls in relation to serious incidents of noise nuisance. It was noted that since 2021 the number of calls had reduced by 60%.

·  There had been an improvement in response rates from one hour to 33 minutes.

·  Call handling had improved from 45 minutes to 12 minutes.

·  Calls had decreased and the service was now getting an 80% approval rating, with customers saying they had a better experience since 2021.

·  Leeds Beckett and University of Leeds had extended the service of the Council and it was now locally focused.

·  It was acknowledged that there were key points in the university calendar, and these were addressed.

·  It was noted that West Yorkshire Police had reported 3 months ago that crime was down in the area by 62%. It was the view that this was due to agencies being more visible.

Cllr Marshall-Katung joined the meeting at 6.30pm during the discussion.

The discussion topic also included a short presentation from Beth a local resident, which highlighted the steps taken to create a community street.

Beth informed the Committee how the Community Street had started by providing the following information:

·  She had created a community garden in 2018 for all residents in the street to use. After the student changeover in 2019 the street was such a mess, she had started a bin yard and other permanent residents got involved.

·  On arrival all students are greeted and given the ‘Welcome to Quarry Place’ letter and offered a planter. The letter explains the different recycling methods for glass, food waste and composting. It also provides information about the local area and about being a good neighbour.

·  At the end of the students stay second hand kitchen items are collected and left for incoming students to take.

·  Left over food is collected and presented to Rainbow Junktion and clothes are distributed to homeless charities.

·  Due to the success of the community street, the street now has more permanent residents, and they are actively involved in the project. It was noted that some of the students decided to stay in the street for another year and they also became involved in the project.

·  The Committee were advised that there was enthusiasm to roll out the community street idea across the surrounding four streets. There was also interest in this project from other areas of the city.

·  In Beeston they have costed a project for a bin yard at £2,100 which is cheaper than the Council can do it. It was noted that bin yards are also good during high winds as the bins are not blown over causing hazards on the pavements.

·  It was noted that there were still some issues with landlords fly-tipping, but she thanked the support of the Community Committee for organising community skips to deal with this issue.

·  She said that the residents now have good student engagement and are planning a community street event. The community is knitting together and sharing ideas.

The Chair liked the idea of improvement to bin yards in other areas and suggested that the Refuse Team may wish to consider the use this idea for bin yards in similar streets across the city.

Cllr Garthwaite joined the meeting at 6.45pm prior to the start of the table discussions.

Feedback from the table discussions included:

Woodhouse Moor and Woodhouse Park

·  More seating was required.

·  To make Woodhouse Park more accessible for disabled users. It was noted that one of the residents was organising a walk-through of the park to highlight the issues faced by disabled users. The Chair requested that he be kept up date on the findings.

·  To install toilets in the park.

·  The road linking the park and the moor is extremely busy and difficult to cross.

·  There is a rat problem on Woodhouse Moor with people throwing food for the pigeons.

·  There is only one park warden at present.

·  There is a lack of signage.

·  It was suggested that Parks and Countryside and cleansing be invited to the Committee’s sub-group.

Noise nuisance

·  It was the view that the user’s perspective of the of the call handing and response times was not the same as the information presented by officers.

·  It was the opinion of residents that the measuring of noise from a distance or from within a car was not the same as living close to people partying and playing music, especially in the early hours of the morning when any noise is intensified.

·  Residents were dismayed at the lack of officers to deal with issues on the Halloween weekend. It was noted that there had not been enough officers that weekend due to illness. Residents were of the view that this should have been communicated to the residents. It was noted that there had been zero calls from the Inner North West area. Residents disputed this data.

·  It was the view that although the response time was good the issues were not being dealt with. The Committee was advised that there was no legal requirement to provide an out of hours noise service. It was noted that the measure of noise was subjective, and some officers were more effective than others in dealing with issues.

·  Residents were disappointed that the Neighbourhood Helpline had been discontinued last August as it had worked well in conjunction with anti-social behaviour.

·  It was suggested that if there is another consultation about the service, residents need to be consulted too.

Hyde Park area

·  Hyde Park Christmas which is a free shop of items left by students should be for the Inner North West community in Hyde Park.

·   The Committee were informed that the bowling green which was made into a football pitch could not be used by local people as the Sport Students from the university are always using it. It was suggested that signs are put up to say that the pitch is for local people.

Highways

·  Residents informed the Committee that there was an issue with vehicles causing obstruction and dangerous parking especially on corners. It was suggested that Highways and Councillors should be informed if this was an ongoing issue in an area and look at parking restrictions. It was also suggested that action days could be organised to address parking issues.

The Chair requested written responses for all issues raised.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report, the presentations and comments made.

Cllr Flint left the meeting at 7:20pm at the end of this item.