BRADFORD MDC and SHIPLEY AREA COMMITTEE,
and BURLEY PARISH COUNCIL
NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM MEETING
Thursday 19 October 2006
Commenced: 7:30pm
Concluded: 8:45pm
Chair:
Chris Flecknoe - Shipley Area Committee
Caroline Jones - Burley Parish Council
1. Apologies
Peter Jenkins, Matt Palmer, Dale Smith, John Wise, and Philip Davies MP
85 people attended
2. Welcome and Introductions
Cllr. Jones welcomed everyone to the meeting, and introduced the speakers:
PC Stuart Hudson
Chris Slaven - BMDC Anti-Social Behaviour Unit
Ian Watson - BMDC Anti-Social Behaviour Unit
Cllr Jones referred to the Parish Council Newsletter that had recently been circulated in the village, and pointed out that some of the dates given for the Council meetings were incorrect. The next Full Council and Planning meetings is on 9 November and not 16 November as appeared in the Newsletter. All Parish Council meetings are held on Thursdays, with the Full Council meetings being on every second Thursday of the month.
She then went on to thank Cllr. Tilford for all her work in compiling the Newsletter and thanked all those who helped in its distribution. There was also a plea for more help in delivering future Newsletters as this would lighten the load of those already involved.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6 April 2006 were approved as a correct record.
Proposed: Denis Warwick
Seconded: Dorritt Southon
4. Matters Arising
None.
5. Police Matters: PC Stuart Hudson
SH reported that the total crime figures for the period 15 June -19 Oct 2006 had risen to 85 (from 79 in the same period last year). These included 10 assaults, 26 burglaries to houses, and 17 instances of criminal damage.
He pointed out that there were criminals travelling into the area from Leeds and Bradford and emphasised the need for people to take action to help prevent crime. This included making use of garages for cars, ensuring doors and windows are locked, valuables kept out of sight, and timed lighting used.
There were now up to 6 PCSOs and 3 PCs working out of Ilkley Police Station. SH also asked for volunteers to staff the contact point in Queen's Hall. If anyone was interested they should contact the Parish Clerk who would pass on their details.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Chris Slaven (Anti-Social Behaviour Unit -ASBU) spoke on two issues; the overall responsibilities of the unit, and the specific issues raised in the village.
BMDC had been involved since the legislation was introduced in 2003 to combat anti-social behaviour. They work closely with the Police, and receive referrals from them and also directly from the local community. They have the power to speak to the offenders and to work with them in drawing up an ABC (Acceptable Behaviour Contract). This often works well with children in their early teens. For the more serious offender they can issue an ASBO. This is seen as a last resort. Solicitors are now challenging its powers, and its overuse reduces its effectiveness. In Bradford there are currently 100 ASBOs. This compares well to other districts of its size, and the orders are targeted to ensure their best use.
In Burley they are aware of the problem on Station Rd, which was brought to their attention by the police. The shops had become a meeting place for youths, and somewhere to buy alcohol, cigarettes etc. This has led to complaints about litter and noise. The Environmental Protection Agency had already visited one of the premises following accusations that it was staying open late and encouraging the youths. ASBU have written to residents around Station Rd to ascertain local feeling. These responses are due back by 6 November, following which a decision will be made on the best course of action. This may include involving the police, Youth Service, Drugs Agency, or Environmental Protection Agency. Consideration may also be given to the adequacy of the street lighting, CCTV, or Mosquito (equipment that emits a white noise that makes it uncomfortable for people to remain near to it).
CS then opened the discussion to the floor:
With regard to the premises accused of staying open late, Cllr Greaves pointed out that an elected member cannot initiate a licence review, but he could take action if a neighbour who was directly affected raised the matter.
Q. What could be done about boys seen pushing over the temporary toilets?
CS. If there was criminal damage it should be reported to the police, and this may result in a home visit by them or the ASBU.
Q. There were more problems with adults drivers speeding, parking badly etc especially on Station Rd, than there were with local youth. This was going unchecked, and needed addressing.
CS. It is true that the statistics show most anti-social behaviour is committed by adults, and if they are committing a criminal offence it should be reported. Registration numbers should be passed on to the police.
Q. Burley Park and the youth shelter is a disgrace. There is underage drinking, and young people cycle and play golf on the bowling green. The Park Rangers seem unable to do anything as the children disappear when they arrive.
CS. Park Rangers have no powers to stop or arrest people, so their remit is restricted. Compared to others in the district the shelter is in good condition, with only a little graffiti and some minor damage.
6. Yorkshire Water
No Representatives from Yorkshire Water were present, but Cllr Jones reminded everyone that there was a display of their proposals at the library.
7. Parish Council Update
Parish Clerk:
Cllr Jones introduced Ann Saunders who had been Parish Clerk since early September and was taking the minutes of the forum. Unfortunately for personal reasons she was not able to continue in this role, but fortunately for the Parish Council a replacement was already in place. Cllr Jones introduced Jo Griffiths who would be taking over as Parish Clerk from next week, and hoped everyone would make her welcome.
Toilet Update:
This has dragged on for more than two years. The current position is that the Project Manager is on long term sick leave, and Bradco have still to locate a working compressor, an essential piece of equipment. Cllr Jones had been assured that this should be available this week, and Bradco will ensure it is working whilst also repairing the coin slots. They had been reminded again of the need to have the work completed in time for the Christmas Fair.
Playground:
The Parish Council had agreed to contribute £4,200 towards the cost of completing the refurbishment of the children's playground.
8. Burley Grange
Cllr Jones informed everyone of the steps being taken by the Parish Council to ensure that the Grange is retained for the community. Local colleges had been contacted to see if they had any interest in running courses there, and the council was to meet with the Housing Trust to investigate the feasibility of some of the building being given over to affordable housing. It is a very large building in need of refurbishment, and the Parish Council has to ensure that any proposal for its use was sustainable in the long term.
Bradford College had asked for an interim report by the end of November, with a final proposal to be submitted by January 2007. This had been made more difficult as the floorplans of the building had only just been provided.
The Parish Council would welcome any suggestions from local people on possible sustainable uses of the building, and would particularly welcome any offers of professional advice or expertise.
Q. The Probus club had previously used the Grange and now wished to move the piano from there into the Queen's Hall. They had contacted Bradford College but had not received a reply.
CJ. The piano is still in the building.
9. Burley-in-Wharfedale Community Trust
Bruce Speed gave details of the Trust's Committee of Trustees 2006/07:
Chair; Bruce Speed
Secretary; Sylvia Tilford
Treasurer; Mike Harris
Membership; Clive Myatt
Several members of the committee are also Parish Councillors, and BS invited those that were not to also join the Trust.
He pointed out that the annual membership fee was £4, and there were currently 201 members. There had been a lot of changes in the membership over the past few years and he reminded people that the £4 needed to be paid yearly unless they wished to become life members for £100.
The Trust is responsible for:
Cornmill Lane Pond
Scalebor sports facilities -jnr cricket and football
Christmas lights in the village
Duck Race
Pudding Tree Garden
The Round House
100 Club
Coffee Mornings
Village Website
Mike Harris then gave a summary of the Trust's accounts. A copy of these can be provided to anyone interested. Income for 2005/06 was £21,587, with an expenditure of £3,909. The total assets now stood at £44,204.
As the Trust is a registered charity they sought approval to reappoint the existing trustees, to have the power to appoint new ones, to renew the authority of the authorised signatories, and agreement that 3 out of the 4 signatories could sign leases.
Approval was shown through a show of hand, with no objections.
10. Neighbourhood Forum Report Back
Chris Flecknoe commented on the good relationship that had already formed between the Area Committee and the Parish Council. They would continue to share the Chairmanship of these meetings.
CF confirmed that everyone present had a copy of the Burley Issues sheet and the Area News. These had been split so that the local issues were all in one place and the Area News could be recycled and issued at future meetings if individuals did not need it.
Most of the Burley items had already been mention during the course of the meeting, and she apologised for the lack of progress on the toilets, and hoped that it would soon be rectified. Finally CF mentioned the Shipley Area Community Heroes scheme which was contained in the Area News. This is to encourage recognition of active citizens, the unsung heroes of the local community. Any nominations from the public would be welcome.
11. Bus Shelters
Metro are in the process of consulting local communities about the number and location of bus shelters in their area. A map of the current bus shelters had been provided and consultation forms were available for those wishing to take part in the exercise. Responses had to be with Metro by 8 December and they would then report back to the Area committee with the results.
12. Parking Review
Ward Councillors are meeting with traffic engineers to review the parking situation in the village. Cllr. Matt Palmer is taking the lead on this issue, and would welcome any views on where changes need to be made. This could be done by filling in the 'Have Your Say' form, but this needed to be done quickly so that all responses could be fed into the review.
13. Open Forum
Q. What progress was being made on stabilising the railway embankment, as the footpath from the Little Chef to Ben Rhydding is still closed?
Ans.The ground was now stabilised and work should be finished by Christmas and hopefully the footpath will then be reopened.
Q. Yorkshire Water had left the footpath on Station Rd In a poor condition. Can this be raised with them?
Ans. Yorkshire Water had already agree to do something about this, but CF would remind them.
Q. Were any of those present at the forum first time attendees?
Ans. Yes, about 5 or 6 people raised their hands. CF reminded everyone that if they wished to see any items on the agenda they should contact her office or the Parish Council.
14. Burley Wildlife Group
Peter Riley spoke about the formation of the group about 4 years ago and the creation of the Sun Lane Nature Reserve.
This 12 acre site is located at the western end of the village and was formed by the reclamation of an old tip which is now home to over 400 species of plant, 24 species of butterfly, and 100 species of birds. He thanked all those involved in its creation for their hard work, and for continuing to ensure that the vegetation is kept cut back to encourage biodiversity. The village is lucky to have such a resource and he invited people to visit, especially between May - September, but to remember that it is not a playground and dogs should be kept under close control.
The group is also involved in other projects including the roundabouts on the bypass. These were planted with wildflower seeds but unfortunately due to the cutting regime these were being lost. The Wildlife Group contacted the BMDC maintenance team to reduce the frequency, width and height of the cutters. This has led to a successful partnership whereby BMDC ask the Wildlife Group when they should cut, and the reduction in the frequency has helped to cut their costs.
The current issue being faced is the encroachment of Himalayan Balsam on the local waterways and riverbanks. It is an invasive non-native annual plant that stifles all other vegetation, and leaves riverbanks bare and vulnerable to erosion in the winter months. The Wildlife Group are trying to eradicate it along the local waterways and would welcome any help in doing so.
15. Any Other Business
Dennis Warwick announced that there is soon to be a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Burley Charities where decisions would be made on which local groups to support. The charity was originally formed in the 19th Century to help the poor and needy. It now has large resource available for use and it is often difficult to target it effectively. If anyone is aware of a possible recipient he asked that they contact the Secretary, Chris Dale, at Ilkley Town Hall before the meeting to be held in the next few weeks.