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Category: LCC

ANOTHER FIRE ENGINE, ANOTHER BARBEQUE, AND MORE PUBLIC MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN

ANOTHER FIRE ENGINE, ANOTHER BARBEQUE, AND MORE PUBLIC MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN

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A blazing barbeque

At this evening’s INWAC meeting, Sue Buckle gave a brilliant and passionate speech on the damage that barbeques cause to the Moor, the resources that are wasted dealing with their aftermath, and the need for the byelaws to be enforced.

It was a pity that during her speech there couldn’t have been a live telecast from the Moor, as on my way there, I saw a fire engine dealing with a fire, and then on my way back, I saw several barbeques, including the one pictured above.

But somehow I don’t think that even a live telecast would have convinced our councillors that barbequing in a public park is anti social behaviour.

SUSPENSION OF THE PARK BYELAWS

SUSPENSION OF THE PARK BYELAWS

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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

THE WEEK’S LETTERS

THE WEEK’S LETTERS

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Keyboard

Once again, people have been busy at their computers. On Monday Josie Green of Headingley let everyone know how local residents were excluded from the multi agency meetings that took place in May, June and July of last year, meetings which included the student unions, and which came up with the proposal for barbeque areas. There were two letters in Wednesday’s paper. The first asked why the report submitted by Parks and Countryside last October to the Executive Board, didn’t contain any cost benefit analysis in support of the barbeque proposal. The second, from Ian Harker, highlighted the fact that the council’s refusal to enforce the byelaws is costing taxpayers over £100,000 per year in call outs of the fire brigade to the Moor to extinguish fires. And finally yesterday, Tony Green pointed out that whilst you can be fined for dropping a cigarette end in the city centre, and leaving your bin on the street in Headingley, our councillors will support you if you set fire to our local park.

(photo courtesy of aagius)

LEEDS CITY COUNCIL SHOULD KNOW BETTER

LEEDS CITY COUNCIL SHOULD KNOW BETTER

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A motorbike being driven across the Moor

This photo was taken earlier today and shows one of the shy and elusive Parkswatch team in his bright yellow plumage. They’re shy because they don’t ever go up to people and tell them to stop breaking the byelaws. And they’re elusive, because people rarely ever see them. This is the first time I’ve seen one of them. Perhaps the reason they’re so rarely seen is because they pass by in a flash on their motorbikes. I was pleased to see that this one had on a helmet. This is always a wise precaution when riding a motorbike across a park as otherwise you could hurt yourself if you crashed into someone.

PRIVATE EXPLOITATION OF A PUBLIC PARK

PRIVATE EXPLOITATION OF A PUBLIC PARK

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This afternoon, there was another petrol generator on the Moor powering giant loudspeakers which blared out music across the park, making it impossible for anyone who wanted peace and quiet to be there.

Petrol Generator

The people who had set the generator up were promoting a pop concert to be held in Manchester later this month.

The Promoters

Why are our councillors doing nothing to stop this commercial exploitation of our park ? Who’s side are they on ? Local residents or outside vested interests ?

The Promoter's Van

The above photo shows the promoter’s van.

RADIO AIRE

RADIO AIRE

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Radio Aire

Earlier this afternoon, Radio Aire reporter Alice Bailey went to Woodhouse Moor to meet Sue Buckle of South Headingley Community Association, and Rob Damiao from the students union to ask them for their views on the barbecuing and other anti social behaviour taking place on the Moor. Afterwards, she spoke to two groups of barbecuers. One of the groups was composed of students, and the other of local young people. Both groups said they were unaware that barbecuing on the park was against the law. Alice also spoke to the promoters of a pop concert to be held later this month in Manchester. They said that a PCSO (community constable) had told them it was fine for them to set up their petrol generator and play music for everyone in the park to hear.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on : Radio Aire interview