Holbeck Herald News about the Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan and other local issues It’s a year since Holbeck residents voted 79.64% “yes” in a referendum to accept the Neighbourhood Plan and subsequently Leeds City Council accepted and gave their approval. The Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan covers the period to 2028 and aims to enhance the best in the area and improve its shortcomings. It allows the community of Holbeck to shape the development and growth of the local area through a shared vision for the neighbourhood.
March 2019
In this issue of the Holbeck Herald we will cover a range of local issues from the “Managed Approach” to planning applications, footpath closures and heritage at risk. We also feature agencies that can offer help and support to us here in the Holbeck community. The full neighbourhood plan is available to read online at: www. holbeckneighbourhoodplan.org.uk
Listening Well to move the Managed Approach debate forward T he Neighbourhood Plan and the members of our Forum want to see a future where local people are involved in decision making. We are pleased to be part of the “Listening Well” campaign. This will consist of consultation events, co-commissioning of an external researcher producing a report and public meetings hosted by the residents group “Voice of Holbeck.” We have aligned ourselves with the reference group known as the “Voice of Holbeck” sharing their aspirations to end street prostitution in Holbeck/Leeds with the immediate aim of reducing its impact on residents, prostituted people and businesses. We are of the opinion that the Managed Approach adopted in October 2014 by concerned and well-meaning people and agencies is not working to either protect the women involved in prostitution, or the residents and businesses. In the words of a senior representative from Safer Leeds, the Managed Approach has to date “fallen short of expectations”. A forest of charities and women’s groups, the English Collective of Prostitutes, academics and others have
A prostitute at work in Holbeck dominated the conversations and have led the debate on prostitution. We locals are not professionally qualified, but have a first-hand experience of the hardships and heartbreaks that the women suffer day to day. Despite opinions to the contrary these street sex workers are not safe and can never be made safe. Working towards a Managed Approach that provides a ‘safe place’ is a misnomer. Anything less than ending street prostitution and working actively to achieve this is a deceit and a dereliction of care for these women. Street
Prostitution must be given the same priority as that with Rough Sleepers with the setting up of a dedicated support team that will work with street prostitutes on a daily basis to offer intensive support with the intention of finding an alternative way of living. Over the past four years residents and businesses have borne the brunt of anti-social behaviour that has flowed from the establishment of the Managed Approach or the Managed Zone as it was called. • Families and businesses moving out of Holbeck • Individuals ashamed of stating that they live in Holbeck • Incidents of indecency
witnessed by children • Violence on our streets and other anti-social behaviours • Kerb Crawling and associated intimidation All these can be directly attributed to the introduction of the Managed Approach. The Police, despite being reinforced recently, are hard pressed to be everywhere at the time when incidents are reported. The Cleansing team assigned to Holbeck have been helpful and responded directly to the reported sighting of sex and drug associated litter. Official statistics reveal that sex litter collected outside the managed zone (used condoms, surgical gloves and blooded wipes) is now greater than the amount of sex litter collected within the zone. In response to all the difficulties encountered through the introduction of the Managed Approach the “Voice of Holbeck” group has over the past months sought to confront the Strategic Leeds Group (Cllr Debra Coupa, Steve Cotter, Paul Money, James Rogers) as well as our Ward Councillors with the concerns of the community seeking to gain their respect into taking our concerns and issues seriously.
As a result of the “Listening Well” campaign we can, hopefully through listening, influence and steer the future, changing the direction and make a difference. The first “Listening Well” public meeting was held on 28 February and subsequent meetings and interactive events are planned. The involvement of all members of the community is needed to affect change. Please engage in this meaningful dialogue moving forward to a realistic effective position, where the community is safe and prostituted persons are freed from their chaotic lifestyles. The “Listening Well” campaign is organised by the Voice of Holbeck email Voiceholbeck @gmail.com If you are having issues with the managed approach the Police have provided a dedicated number 07534 309568. However important to note that if indecency or other criminal behaviours are ongoing please dial 999 If you aren’t having issues but would like to engage with the “Save our Eyes” group contact facebook.com/SaveOur EyesLeeds if you are not on Facebook find them here www.saveoureyes.co.uk