THE COMMUNITY’S RESPONSE TO COUNCILLOR BRETT
On the 11th September, Lib Dem leader of the council Richard Brett, had a letter in the Yorkshire Evening Post on the barbeque proposal. In it, he justified the Executive Board’s decision to proceed with the scheme on the grounds that a park should be for all to use, and that Woodhouse Moor should be treated no differently to parks at Otley and Wetherby which already have barbeque areas; and he pledged that he’ll “go back to the drawing board” if the barbeque area is a failure.
The five local community associations responded to Councillor Brett on the 18th September by pointing out that the Executive Board’s decision favours one group of people at the expense of several others, in particular, those with breathing disorders, and that the only measure that will deal with anti-social behaviour, is enforcement of the byelaws.
There was then a letter from Headingley resident Tony Green on the 24th September which made clear to Councillor Brett that the parks at Otley and Wetherby are not comparable to Woodhouse Moor, and that there has already been an unsuccessful trial barbeque area in 2006. Tony asked Councillor Brett why he doesn’t simply follow the example of Lambeth and save us all a lot of money.
Next came a letter on the 26th September from North Hyde Park resident Ann Massa who said that she is surprised that Councillor Brett should present a return to the drawing board as a concession, as it’s no more than what one would expect to happen when a scheme fails. Ann also questioned the validity of treating the Moor in the same way as Otley Chevin and the park at Wetherby.
(photo courtesy of Yorkshire Post Newspapers)