19 minute read
COMMENT
In our view
End of the Managed Approach
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Campaigners who fought to bring an end to the Managed Approach in Holbeck are celebrating, but they need to remember that street sex work in the area didn’t start with the adoption of the Approach and hasn’t ended since it has been suspended. Safer Leeds were rightly criticised for introducing it without the required level of resources and have been playing catch up ever since. They have not been helped by some of our friends in the media who have used sensationalist headlines to sell papers and inadvertently encouraged men to travel from across the country and fuel the trade. We are pleased to see that resources will remain in place to support the community.
Honours for public service
The Queen has dished out honours to two very worthy recipients in South Leeds in the last month. Both Rachael Loftus and DAZL exemplify public service. Rachael for her work over many years both in the voluntary and statutory sector helping disadvantaged groups; and DAZL who bring art and exercise through dance to young people who might not otherwise get the opportunity to express themselves. Even if you’re not in favour of the current honours system, it’s the only one we’ve got so let’s celebrate.
Saving Lives
We have given over the middle pages this month to make sure you know where you can find a defibrillator if you are in the unhappy situation of needing to use one. They can be a real life saver and are very easy to use - you don’t need any training and you can’t harm the patient with one. Equally important is knowing how to administer CPR, so watch out for training courses, go along and learn a life saving skill.
South Leeds Laughs
What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a tricycle and a welldressed man on a bicycle? Attire.
If you've got a great joke you want to share (max 200 words), email it to us at info@southleedslife.com by the 15th of each month, with your name and address, and the best one each month will win a £5 prize.
Your letters and comments
Active Travel Neighbourhoods
Its very concerning how Leeds Council will sell out the city out of boredom or for their own experiments, on the off chance one might actually work. It’s incredibly selfish, aimed to please a vision that kids can play safe in the streets in sunshine and rainbows. The cars are not the problem on these streets, start cleaning them up rather than trying to create more problems.
The most this will impact are the residents, all delivery drivers, taxis, and then all the lost drivers we will have trying to navigate through the mess! We live in a time where using cars and deliveries are a major part of life. Just accept this rather than change it, they can’t all ride bikes, no one even uses the new cycle lanes. All this will do is cause unnecessary travel and clog Beeston Road, Old Lane and Dewsbury Road. Save yourselves some embarrassment and listen to the people. Tom
I think it’s a case of they are spitting their dummy out because they had to put it on hold last time. This is stupid to even think about till Dewsbury Road is finished and a true study of air quality and traffic count done on surrounding roads. How can anybody know if something works if they don’t have figures from before to measure against the “trial.” Plus the statements in the last survey were so untrue like saying visitors to the area used the Grove as a cut through? They admitted at the meeting they had not done a study and were presuming. You tell me what sat nav would tell a driver to go through a 20mph zone? Once Dewsbury Road is done no Elland Road fans will cut through because it will be gridlocked. If this survey is as biased as the last one in the hope that people will be that disgusted they will give up then there will be a backlash. Jan
I am very concerned about our street being blocked off. My husband is disabled and we must use a car to get out and about. The Cross Flatts plan will make this difficult for us. Lori Graham-Dixon
I walk everywhere, my kids walk to school through the Cross Flatts area and if this goes even part way to stopping the imbeciles who drive high-powered German hatchbacks at 40 in a 20 zone then I’m all in! A Payne
You don’t need to cycle and walk everywhere but if lots of people cycled and walked somewhere it would be of benefit to their health and the planet ... so it’s a win win in my book! Phil Goodfield
As has said before by many resident that live on the streets: the planter idea is not wanted. It would cause not only problems for people like myself who lives local getting my kids to two different schools on time, but also a inconvenience for the residents. On the other hand the safer school scheme has really made a huge difference and should be kept. Amanda Davis The Active Travel Neighbourhood in Hyde Park Cycle lanes
Leeds City Council are totally crazy with this cycle route madness. The routes are hardly ever used by cyclists. It’s costing rate payers millions for no benefit to Leeds residents. They should be ashamed of their incompetence and stupidity. And I say that as a Labour party member of many years. Gordon
The new cycle lane on Elland Road is a death trap. Cars do not stop when they come and go to McDonalds or as they are coming out of the streets. LCC have been told about this and have so far chosen not to act on the information given, it won’t be long before someone is seriously injured or even killed on the route. Paul McDermott
These are the usual anti bike responses. For the bike lanes to be sucessful a network has to be created. Our cycle investment has been so poor for many years this is about catching up.
We cannot continue to pollute our air with the internal combustion engine. Martin Dean
Covid Memorial Wood
I think this is great. I have on a few occasions walked through West Wood? The woods to the south of the golf course so now we will have woodland and park from the edge of White Rose up to Hunslet. It’s great to see Middleton Park getting bigger and maybe one day it can sit on a par (golf pun not intended) with Roundhay Park in the North.
It’s also good to see a memorial as well as a place to thank and remember the contribution of those on the front line. This should help build a great asset for the communities which surround Middleton Park. Andrew McLoughlin
End of Managed Approach
At last , but I don’t buy the it’s a decision based on the views of local residents as local residents have been ignored up until (allegedly) now. However, just as this announcement has been made numerous building projects have started in and around the managed zone, some residential, some offices. Money talks.
Hopefully this will mean I can walk home from town on a sunny afternoon without been asked “do you want business love” as happened twice last week even though the managed joke was not officially open.
But whatever reasons for closing it down at least it’s happened, much to delight of the majority of Holbeck residents. Perhaps now is the time for all these MPs, Councillors, and street workers charities to come together and find a nationwide solution instead of trying it out in Holbeck. Henry
Matthew Murray school site
Yet again massive proposals are being made without any consultation or reference to the local community. Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan has now been in place for a couple of years recognised nationaly but seemingly ignored by LCC.
We have tried to engage with LUFC previously, one would have thought that some gesture of recognition to the local community could have been made.
Ingram Road school were to have been involved in the previous plans with imporovements to their school field, what is to happen to those promises now?
Big announcements in the press are all well and good but prior information to parties closely affected could have been made. The new proposal looks good and is potentialy going to benefit the local communities more effectively based on the old Matthew Murray site. Dennis Kitchen
Elland Road vinegar factory
I wonder if any of your readers would have a photo of the building? I’ve looked before on Leodis and searched the internet but the only image of the brewery is this and one other sketch.
Similarly the huge and imposing Holbeck Workhouse which for years loomed just up Elland Road opposite the Moor has very few photos online. One just assumes that such significant buildings would have been well documented. Blue
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MP’s notebook
by Hilary Benn MP
The recent fire at the Blue residential block by Granary Wharf was a chilling reminder of the risk of fire in high rise buildings.
This block has some cladding problems, although it seems they were not involved in the fire. Thankfully the West Yorkshire Fire Service arrived extremely quickly, put it out and everyone was evacuated safely.
As part of the campaign to get the Government to protect leaseholders from having to bear costs they are not responsible for, the National Cladding Campaign recently asked people to take photographs of themselves holding placards with the amounts of money that they fear they will be asked to pay.
The sums are eye-watering and completely unaffordable, and we will be carrying on with our campaign for a fair outcome.
I've written before on the subject of on-street sex work in Holbeck and what should be done about it. Several years ago, the council and the police set up the managed approach with the aim of trying to reduce the impact on residential areas, and it's had a bit of a chequered history since then.
A while ago, I proposed to the Council that it ought to carry out an independent review so that everyone could have their say.
Recently, after considering the results of that review and the views expressed by local people, councillors and myself, Leeds City Council has decided that the existing managed approach will come to an end.
I welcome this decision. The scheme has, in effect, been in suspension since the start of the Covid pandemic, and scrapping the permitted hours and defined area, cracking down on soliciting by men and making use of public space protection orders reflects what many in the community have been calling for and will be widely supported.
It’s also good to see that the dedicated police support, the use of CCTV, the cleansing arrangements and help for women to exit on-street sex work will be kept in place.
In all the discussions I've had with many people about this, everyone acknowledges that there has never been a simple solution to this problem, and we will have to see how the new approach works out. However, this announcement represents a step forward.
I had the great pleasure of joining the Health for All AGM recently. I say joining because it was done over Zoom, but that didn't take away from having the chance to celebrate the wonderful work that this community-led organisation does in South Leeds.
During the pandemic, it kept in contact with people in different ways, providing food parcels, welfare telephone calls and advice, information and support. This year, Health for All celebrates its 30th anniversary and I want to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful Pat McGeever, her staff team and all the volunteers for everything they do on behalf of our community.
And finally, to the delights of Middleton Park. A few weeks ago, my wife and I spent a Saturday afternoon there in the late spring sunshine. The park is one of the jewels in the crown of Leeds, but I suspect there are many people living in the city who have never visited it.
When they do come, as I hope they will, they will find that it’s enormous, has grassland and majestic ancient woodland, a café and visitors’ centre, a bandstand, a lake and so much history. Middleton was mentioned in the Domesday book, and at the northern end of park is an earthwork – said to date from 1204 - marking the boundary between Middleton and Beeston following a bitter dispute between William de Grammary and Adam de Beeston.
And, of course, there are reminders and remnants of centuries of coal mining. This history has been detailed in an excellent book entitled Coal Mining in Middleton Park: An Archaeological Investigation by the Middleton Park Community Archaeological Project which has added greatly to our understanding of this important part of the park’s industrial past.
The Friends of Middleton Park do a wonderful job in looking after this unique place and if you want to find out more about their activities, then do visit their Facebook page which is full of useful information and fascinating history.
Hilary Benn is our Member of Parliament. He represents the Leeds Central constituency which covers Hunslet, Middleton, Belle Isle, Beeston, Holbeck, Cottingley in south Leeds as well as the city centre, Hyde Park, Woodhouse, Little London, Lincoln Green, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill and Osmondthorpe Contact: hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk, www.hilarybennmp.com Constituency office: Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB; Tel: 0113 244 1097
Hilary Benn MP
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Councillors’ briefing
Beeston & Holbeck Ward Update:
Community engagement and supporting local business has continued to be the theme for Councillors representing the Beeston, Cottingley and Holbeck.
We know that there has been some frustration with encampments set up by those in the traveling community on public land, in terms of location and the waste left, so Cllr Almass has organised live Q&As with the Leeds City Council team to answer questions. Cllr Almass also organised a live Q&A with a local civil enforcement officer and PCSO. If you missed either and have any questions, please get in touch with us as your elected local representatives.
The way the Council, police and other partners tackle onstreet prostitution has changed. The ‘managed zone’ which was introduced in 2014 in a bid to move on-street prostitution out of the residential areas has been closed since March 2020 (due to the Covid pandemic). We have listened to residents who objected to the zone and looked at the data and have decided NOT to reintroduce the zone as lockdown easies. It is important to note that this will not mean that on-street prostitution will automatically disappear and therefore the additional support for women to exit prostitution (housing, drug rehab etc), additional policing and addition cleansing will remain in place.
And, finally we are delighted to see the new Beeston Womblers group (a local group of litter pickers) – please join their Facebook Group!
Hunslet & Riverside Ward Update:
This month we’ve continued the first Councillor Area Walks since the pandemic. These have found hundreds of issues, with a significant category being uncleaned highways drains. Highways Leeds have risen to the challenge and around fifty of the worst have now been cleared – with a large number due soon. This will reduce the risk of localised flooding in a number of areas and help keep streets cleaning.
Last month we also: • Launched two new litter picking groups to cover Beeston Hill fb.com/groups/ BeestonHillWombles and Hunslet Carr fb.com/groups/ HunsletCarrWombles. • Supported Hunslet Tenants and Residents Association prepare for a community action day on Friday 2 July at 12pm. • Commissioned proposals to redevelop a number of Council owned planters across the ward to increase local biodiversity. • Proposed sites for new
mature and sapling tree planting this year. • Gave approval on Dewsbury Road for a new pram shelter at the hub, new landscaping to the grassed area opposite Premier and commissioned Leeds Street Gallery to paint ten communication boxes to celebrate the local area –subject to local consultation on the designs.
And much more. Sadly the need to push back step four of the road map has delayed the rest of our Councillors Advice Drop-ins and planned multiagency action days on Beeston Hill – but these are now being planned in to restart in July.
Please remember you can report a large number of issues (potholes, fly tipping etc.) at services.leeds.gov.uk or if you’re unsure of what option to use – contact us. If we don’t know, we can’t help.
Middleton Park Ward Update:
We’re delighted that full planning approval has now been granted for one of the first major Council Housing developments in 30 years, to be built on the Throstle Recreation Ground. The 174 new homes will include 60 extra care units for older
people. We will be working with the contractor, Wates, as they are required to provide wider social benefits like apprenticeships and environmental benefits for our area.
Many residents have contacted us about green space and the environment. There area a number of consultations due to start and we are looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas and then working with residents, schools and partners on expanding and enhancing our green spaces around Belle Isle and Middleton, like the former South Leeds Golf Course (soon to be part of Middleton Park), the Westwoods, Throstles, Thorpes, New Forest Village, Stourton Grange, Cranmores, Parnabys, Old Run Road, West Granges, Middleton Broom, Orions and Brooms.
In addition to the above, 4,444 trees for Middleton Broom and possibly more for Sissons Wood to contribute to climate change challenges.
We are currently working with Public Health who are carrying out a joint needs assessment in Belle Isle and Middleton which will be presented at our Neighbourhood Improvement Board so we can plan how we work with health partners and third sector organisations to provide services that meet the needs of our community. Covid 19 has highlighted the huge health inequalities and we will press government on crucial services like mental health, it is fundamental that funding is devolved to local government.
A busy Beeston Wombler on Middleton Grove New Council housing in Middleton will include extra care flats
Your Leeds City Councillors
Beeston & Holbeck ward Includes Beeston from Cross Flatts Park to the Ring Road, Cottingley and Holbeck. The three councillors are: Gohar Almass 07445 878 333 gohar.almass@leeds.gov.uk Angela Gabriel 07946 632 468 angela.gabriel@leeds.gov.uk Andrew Scopes 07860 400 645 andrew.scopes@leeds.gov.uk
Hunslet & Riverside ward Includes parts of the city centre and riverside, Beeston Hill and Hunslet. The three councillors are: Mohammed Iqbal 0113 226 8796 mohammed.iqbal@leeds.gov.uk Elizabeth Nash 0113 275 8594 elizabeth.nash@leeds.gov.uk Paul Wray 07528 512 649 paul.wray@leeds.gov.uk
Middleton Park ward Includes Belle Isle and Middleton. The three councillors are: Sharon Burke 0113 378 8814 sharon.burke@leeds.gov.uk Kim Groves 07891 741 832 kim.groves@leeds.gov.uk Paul Truswell 0113 378 8811 paul.truswell@leeds.gov.uk
