Tony Paley-Smith – Woodhouse Moor Online

SUSPENSION OF THE PARK BYELAWS

June 24, 2009 Tony Paley-Smith Comments 0 Comment

PRESENTED AT THE HYDE PARK AND WOODHOUSE FORUM 17 JUNE 2009

WOODHOUSE MOOR – SUSPENSION OF THE PARK BYELAWS

I was notified a couple of weeks ago by Councillor Richard Brett that there was a ‘no-fines’ policy being operated regarding the implementation of the Park Byelaws. This appears to have been the case for at least a year.

Enforcement by fine IS the Byelaw (£500 maximum) and so the conclusion must be that the byelaws have been suspended and for some considerable time. This has led to the current dreadful mess and mismanagement of the Moor.

Unfortunately Councillor Brett does not care to say how and why and by whom the Park Byelaws were suspended. When did the meeting take place where this decision was made ? and who agreed to the suspension ?

This is most extraordinary. The LCC is neglecting their duty of care by not enforcing the Byelaws. The Park Byelaws must always be there to provide basic protection for the Moor. This is regardless of any Park Consultations or other policies.

Therefore Councillor Ewens, the Hyde Park and Woodhouse Forum urges that an ENQUIRY by the Inner North West Area Committee is immediately undertaken regarding the circumstances surrounding the unlawful suspension of the Park Byelaws on Woodhouse Moor. We would expect a result at the next INWAC meeting which I believe is next month.

Tony Paley-Smith
Local Resident

In association with
Friends of Woodhouse Moor
North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association
South Headingley Community Association

NOT ROCKET SCIENCE IS IT ?

April 21, 2009 Tony Paley-Smith Comments 0 Comment

Published along with this entry are some interesting photos I took recently of the signs banning BBQ’s on Clapham Common. Lambeth Council don’t seem to have any problem with the duty of care and maintaining of public order in their parks.

The question then is why is it so difficult for our Council and Councillors to see the obvious ? The most obvious answer to that is that they are no longer really in charge of major decisions in NW Leeds. This function has been taken over by the Universities and they have long had greedy eyes on the Moor.

The BBQ’s are just one of a number of ‘attacks’ on the Moor as Councillor Bernard Atha describes it. There is the Multi Use Games Pitch part of a dodgy transfer deal over the old Grammar School site, and the new University Car Park which is suddenly so very necessary. Although one might find it difficult to ascribe direct motives to the recent road widening issue you can be sure it wouldn’t be a proposal if the Universities disagreed with it.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Universities are trying to take over the Moor and these BBQ’s are the first significant step in that direction. That is why it has to be stopped.