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LEEDS CITY COUNCIL AND NHS LEEDS – CITIZENS PANEL MEMBERS REQUIRED

We have been advised by the Council of the following:

“Leeds City Council and NHS Leeds are looking for community-spirited residents to join the citizen’s panel and take part in surveys and discussions about local services and issues that affect where they live.

Residents are invited to join the new citizens panel, which is being brought together to help the council, NHS Leeds and other public sector partners find out what people that live in the city think, feel and need.

Last month, the council’s partnership organisation, Leeds Initiative, launched a new long-term plan; Vision for Leeds 2011 to 2030. The overall aim of this vision is to improve life for residents and make Leeds the best city in the UK.

In order to achieve this, changes will have to be made, and the council with its other public sector partners need to have a clear understanding of what that means for the people that live here.

The new citizen’s panel will play a really important role in collecting this information, and will be a great opportunity for thousands of people in the city to have their views heard by local decision makers. They will also be able to find out about new plans and ideas for Leeds and local communities.

To be part of the panel people need to be aged 18 or over, and be prepared to spend a small amount of time taking part in surveys and/or discussions about local services and issues affecting where they live.  The aim is to have about 6000 on the new panel, made up of a balanced mix of people of different ages, backgrounds and communities to reflect the population of Leeds.

Panel members will be required to complete between four and eight surveys each year, and will be invited to take part in about the same number of discussions or events.  Surveys should take no more than 20 minutes to complete, and will always be free to return, no stamps required. Discussion groups might be 90 minutes, or sometimes a bit longer.  Some discussions will be online, others an opportunity for panel members to get together in one place.

Anyone that can spare a couple of hours a year and would like to find out more should visit www.leeds.gov.uk/citizenspanel or contact us on citizenspanel@leeds.gov.uk or Leeds 247 4610.”

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Holt Park Pool Closure – 18th and 19th October

We have been informed by our local councillor that on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th October the main pool at Holt Park will be closed. This is so that they can facilitate work on the air ducts in the ceiling of the pool hall which unfortunately are coming loose. The length of time is indicative and takes in to account scaffold tower erection and dismantling.  They hope to re-open sooner however they must err on the side of caution.

Please share this information with your friends on Facebook and help keep everyone in your area informed of what is happening locally. 

Thank you.

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Road Safety Measures on Long Causeway and Sir George Martin Drive Update

We refer to previous correspondence and would advise that we now received a reply from the Highways Department in respect of the speed checks that they have carried out both on Long causeway near Adel St. John’s School and on Sir George Martin Drive.

The 85%ile referred to below means the maximum speed that 85 % of the vehicles were doing i.e. 15% of drivers were exceeding 29.2mph on Long Causeway and 15% of drivers were exceeding 30.1mph on Sir George Martin Drive

The study was carried out throughout the day, not just at peak periods hence the recorded volumes of traffic included in the table.

The results of the speed surveys on Long Causeway and Sir George Martin Drive were made available this morning. The survey tubes were down from the 14 to 22 September inclusive.

A summary is as below:

Location Date Mean Speed 85%ile Speed Weekday two-way volume
Long Causeway September 2011 22mph 29.2mph 770 vehicles
Sir G M Drive September 2011 24mph 30.1mph 3200 vehicles
Sir G M Drive September 2001 27mph 33mph 3300 vehicles

The Senior Engineer, highways have included results from a September 2001 survey done on Sir George Martin Drive near Tile Lane for comparison. It is apparent that the volume of traffic has remained static, but traffic speeds have reduced by a significant factor.

Should you wish to make any comments please do so through our website or you may wish to contact Cllr Barry Anderson direct.

Thanks 

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Neighbourhood Police Update W/c 19th September 2011

Crime
Excellent news with no reports of burglary or vehicle crime. We have received 1 report of theft where 2 children’s scooters were stolen from a garden on Farrar Lane, they have both since been recovered.

ASB   We have not had any ASB calls this week for the Adel area.

SID / Speed gun
Not deployed due to operational commitments.

Other News
PCSO King reports that Trading Standards are due to visit residents of
Wayland Croft this week to establish a No Cold Calling Zone. This will
hopefully when up and running give the community the confidence to
challenge unwanted callers. A PCSO has recently moved someone on from an
area in Yeadon this week for this very same issue.

Arrests of note
2 males, both local and aged 17 years have been arrested for a burglary
last week on Holtdale View, further enquiries continue.

For full police report of North West Outer NPT please click here…

Please share this news with your friends on Facebook and help keep everyone in the local area informed of what is happening in our community.

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Friends of Lawnswood Cemetery Update

At a meeting on 5th October 2011 a Friends of Lawnswood Cemetery was formed to “enhance, promote and, including the monuments, buildings, landscape and burial records”. Half the 8-strong committee reside locally,  but the fact that Lawnswood caters for a wide area is also reflected in the committee make-up.

Participants were invited to complete a questionnaire indicating their interest in the Cemetery. The results showed that most were interested in its history and that many visited to pay their respects to deceased family – with the frequency varying widely. There was interest in learning more about the cemetery through guided walks and lectures. But the most popular activity identified was the practical work party.  The leader, Dave Blackham, Leeds Council Parks & Gardens ranger, was present and  explained what was involved. A varied range of tasks would be tackled each time, with him supplying all the tools, equipment, training and insurance. Participants just have to turn up – the more the merrier. Although the group runs from10 am 3pm there is no pressure to do a full session – sandwiches advisable for those intending to do a full day.

Cllr. & Mrs Anderson were in attendance as well as members of staff involved with the Cemetery. After the business part of the meeting was over, they were introduced to the wider audience.  Mr John Jeffreys, the Chief Bereavement Officer, outlined the plans for the approach to the Cemetery, including the missing gates. A time-frame for their reinstatement was requested. Another contentious issue is the leaving of floral tributes on the lawned areas – which considerably increases the time taken for mowing. Some new ideas are being trailed. The roof of the Columbarium was currently being repaired at considerable cost which hopefully will mean its removal from the Civic Trust’s buildings at risk register. We were also pleased to be introduced to Mr Chris Raines, the new Head Gardener at the Cemetery.

The help Leeds City Council played in getting the group up and running was noted. It was not entirely altruistic in that not only should the work-party “make a difference” but a community group increases the range of funds that can be accessed – another reason to feel confident that the Friends really can play a role in ensuring that this wonderful 65 acre space in our neighbourhood can be passed on in a good state for future generations to appreciate.

Ann Lightman