Public meeting over licensed premises in Chapel Allerton
Residents of Chapel Allerton are being urged to have their say on the latest round of discussions to control the number of licensed premises in the area.
A special public meeting has been arranged in Chapel Allerton next week to discuss the Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) as part of a review of the council's licensing policy which must be done every three years.
Chapel Allerton was included under CIP legislation in 2006 following a long campaign by residents and local councillors following concerns over anti-social behaviour and noise nuisance stemming from the opening of new establishments.
The inclusion of Chapel Allerton in the CIP meant that regulations were put in place that place greater controls on the number of new bars and restaurants that could open in the area. However, local councilors are now also proposing that take-aways are included in the policy due to the litter and noise nuisance some create.
Local councillors Mohammed Rafique, Eileen Taylor and Jane Dowson are encouraging local residents to attend next week's public meeting so they can have their say on the CIP. The meeting will be held on 28 July at Chapel Allerton Methodist Centre at 6pm.
Councillor Jane Dowson (Labour, Chapel Allerton) said:
"The number of bars and restaurants in Chapel Allerton has undeniably raised the profile of the area in recent years. However, we have always been determined to mimimise any negative impact on local residents.
"We are particularly concerned about the number of take-aways in the area since the last review. These have undoubtedly contributed towards greater amounts of litter and increased noise nuisance. We are therefore proposing that these type of premises are also includedin the policy.
"It is very important that residents attend the public meeting on Wednesday so they can offer their thoughts or express their concerns."
Horsforth licensing concerns
Leeds council has announced plans to further limit the number of bars and takeaways in Horsforth.
Proposed amendments to the council's licensing policy will see an enlarged zone within the town in which applications for alcohol and takeaway licenses are more strictly regulated than elsewhere.
This 'cumulative impact zone' has existed in Horsforth since 2005 to limit the spread of bars and takeaways in the town. Council policy is to oppose all new applications in this area, unless the applicant can prove it won't have an impact on crime and anti-social behaviour.
Councillors agreed on Tuesday to expand this zone to include New Road Side, following an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Chris Townsley (Liberal Democrat, Horsforth) welcomed the proposed changes. He said:
"Since we introduced the cumulative impact policy in 2005, it's mostly been very effective at preventing Horsforth getting overrun by bars opening until all hours of the morning.
"I'm very pleased that the existing policy has been strengthened to include New Road Side. This will make it much harder for new pubs, bars and takeaways to get a licence in the area and will help Horsforth remain a family friendly town."
Conservative councillor hails service
A programme of housing related support services in Leeds has helped vulnerable people live more independent lives, says a Tory councillor.
The Leeds Supporting People programme commissions support for around 16,000 people with a range of needs, such as sheltered warden services for older people, projects for people with learning disabilities, hostels for homeless people, and tailored support for people with drug and alcohol problems, teenage parents, and women at risk of domestic violence.
Former executive member for housing, Adel and Wharfedale councillor Les Carter, says the programme has achieved some fantastic success since 2003, despite cuts to the grant made by the last government, and called on the new council administration to keep up its commitment to vulnerable people.
Carter said:
"Supporting People is an excellent initiative. As the previous administration we were able to use the funds to invest in helping some of the most vulnerable people in the city, supporting them to live more independently.
"The figures speak for themselves – 16,000 people helped under the scheme across a range of needs – and all this despite the cuts made under the last government. Since Supporting People started in 2003, the level of government grant has reduced from £35.9m to £31.9m in 2010/11, and we had to manage the effects of that reduction so that it didn't hit vulnerable people.
"With the removal of the ring fence for this funding there may be a temptation to use it for other council services in these difficult financial times, but the Council must resist this. We need to keep the focus on helping vulnerable individuals and ensure the success and huge benefits of the scheme are not compromised."
'Time for action' call at Ardsley and Tingley Library
A South Leeds councillor is calling for action to spruce up a community library in East Ardsley amid concerns that people are being put off from using it.
Labour councillor Karen Renshaw is concerned that the untidy appearance of the grounds surrounding Ardsley and Tingley Library and its limited opening hours could mean that the facility is not being used to its full potential.
Renshaw believes that the current appearance of the library may even be deterring people from using it.
The grounds surrounding the library on Bradford Road are currently in an untidy state due to overgrown grass and shrubbery. This problem has been augmented by the sale of a piece of land to the rear of the library to a private developer which has resulted in it not being maintained.
Ardsley and Robin Hood councillor Renshaw said:
"I was very disappointed to see the state of the grounds surrounding East Ardsley library. The overgrown grass and shrubbery is unsightly and gives the impression that the facility is not in use, when it should be promoting the opposite."Ardsley and Tingley library serves a vital function in the local community providing access to literacy and I.T. We should be doing everything we can to ensure that it is accessible and accommodates the needs of local people.
"I would like to see the area around the library tidied up and the opening hours of the library increased so that local people can really make the most of this facility."
Councillors pleased with executive board Horsforth schools decision
Split site schooling in Horsforth are set to become a thing of the past as the Council's Executive Board approved plans to transform an infant and a junior school into two new primaries.
With a growing pre-school population in the area Horforth Liberal Democrat councillors Andy Barker, Brian Cleasby and Chris Townsley have welcomed the fact that staff and pupils at Featherbank Infant and Newlaithes Junior schools are now clear about what their future holds.
With both schools recently judged to be outstanding by Ofsted, the local councillors have every confidence that the excellent school leadership teams will ensure a smooth transition to primary status for existing pupils.
The changes will take effect from September 2011 and will create an extra 30 places per year group for local children.
Barker said:
"This decision will give the two school communities some much needed certainty about their future. Both Featherbank and Newlaithes schools have absolutely fantastic staff who I know will ensure that the transfer to primary status is as smooth as possible.
"it is vital that we make sure there are long term plans in place to cope with the growing pre-school population. These changes mean more Horsforth families will have access to outstanding, local education."
Leeds Liberal Democrat leader backs Oulton school transformation
Plans to transform Oulton Primary School continue to gain pace, with local councillors expecting the scheme to get the final go-ahead next month.
School governor and Rothwell Liberal Democrat councillor Stewart Golton has thrown his full backing behind the plans, which will benefit around 470 children.
Current temporary buildings will be replaced by a new permanent extension, providing accommodation for both school and nursery children. There will also be a brand new on-site behavioural unit.
The plans are expected to get the green light from the Council's Executive Board in August, with building work set to start in December 2010.
Leeds Lib Dem leader Golton said:
"Children in Oulton will soon see some long-overdue improvements to their school buildings. Once we get the seal of approval from the Executive Board we should see the work well underway by the winter.
"The brand new extension will vastly improve the working environment for both staff and pupils. Hopefully it will also give them a school building they can really take pride in.
"As a governor I know how much work has gone into developing this scheme over many months. Seeing the finished resulted will be fantastic for the whole school community."
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