23 Apr 2008 - Residents meeting: Wednesday 23rd April 2008 6:00pm Woodhouse School

Woodhouse Area Community Action Group

Minutes of Residents Meeting held Wednesday, 23rd April 2008, 6:00pm

Venue: Hall, Woodhouse School 

Committee Present:

  - David Bradley
  - Steve Robinson
  - Brenda Monteith
  - Sue Gamble
  - Ronnie Smith – Police Liaison Officer
  - Riaz Mohammed

Apologies: Bill Garside

19 residents attended the meeting after a flyer campaign by the Committee over the three weeks prior.

1.    David opened the meeting by thanking everyone for attending and outlining what had been discussed at the last residents meeting held on 6th February for those who had not been present.

2.    Discussion then took place with regard to the following:

2.1    The ‘Rat run’ and Safety at the School
There has been a positive outcome thus far. David has spoken to the Calderdale Safety Office and Woodhouse School Safety Officer regarding this and also Mrs Stoker (school head). They will look at the implementation of a ‘one way’ system, although use of this would be voluntary by the parents. Other suggestions have been the lengthening of the waiting restriction (‘zig zag’); checking vehicle speeds at school start and finish times (which could determine whether a ‘speed limit’ or ‘speed bumps’ is an option).

 2.2     Play Area.
Discussion of the play area in the park and replacement of equipment took place. Calderdale have recently been granted £1million for new play areas /modernising old play areas. We are endeavouring to obtain some of that for Woodhouse, although Riaz pointed out that areas without any playgrounds would be given priority.

2.3    Verges and trees
One of the residents has made up a plan of missing trees and has spoken to the Council, who have reacted quite positively. Another pointed out the problem with parking on verges, especially in front of his house, and asked if having a tree there would prevent it. Discussion took place about the fact that not all residents would want the trees back (apparently over 100 have gone ‘missing’).

2.4    Heavy goods vehicles
A question was asked about heavy goods vehicles going over the bridge to Birds Royd. It was suggested that photographic evidence of any heavy vehicles doing this was required as there is a weight restriction in place. One or two people who live in the Woodhouse area have businesses on Birds Royd and a suggestion was made to get them on board to take some responsibility for this problem.

2.5    Youth nuisance
The issue of lager cans and other rubbish being left in the park was raised. This was attributed to the youths who are starting to congregate there again in their cars. Brenda stated that the Carr Green group had faced a similar problem and had banded together as residents to form a group to pick up litter at the time the youths were present, which seemed to have discouraged them from gathering.

The question of by laws regarding drinking was raised. This is also a national issue. 

One resident has had his car damaged three times recently.  

Ronnie stated that youths are also now climbing over the high fence into the school grounds. He then pointed out that there had been a police re-organisation recently, thus there had been no police forum meeting. He is hopeful for this to take place after the local elections on May 1st.

Steve informed the meeting of a recent incident involving an unlicensed motorbike going at speed down Daisy Road.

It was felt that residents are now becoming afraid to come out or walk past the youths. Children are not using the park as they should because of what is left behind by the youths.
The issue is not just with local young people, however, as some of them are coming from Fixby, Bradley, etc.

Discussion centred around the seeming lack of response from the police to any of these incidents and the fact that any increased patrols in the area took place at the wrong time. Unfortunately, when the police do respond, there is no proof of wrongdoing. The onus is, therefore, on the residents to get photographic proof if needed of wrongdoing and logging all incidents to pass onto the Committee who will take it forward to the appropriate authorities for them.

It was a suggested that perhaps the local businesses who have security could occasionally divert some security to the park to deter the youths.  
Another suggestion mooted was getting teenagers involved with the Ha Ha restoration and the council tree planting. Also getting school students involved with surveying school drop off and pick up times. 

Fencing was also suggested. However, this has not deterred them from getting into the school.

2.6    Dog Fouling
It was noted that there has been a problem in the park from the occasional thoughtless dog owner, but on the whole, the majority don’t cause any problems. Suggestions for how to prevent this re-occurring were made, including a new sign (‘Dogs not allowed’), as the old one was now very faint and illegible.

David informed the meeting that the Council had recently been informed of a similar problem near Danebury and had issued warning letters (copies of which were available for the residents at the meeting). Fines would be levied against irresponsible owners.

3.    AOB

The local Brighouse pool was discussed. Riaz had brought some flyers advertising the meeting the following night.

4.    The WACAG group website address was given to the residents.

5.    Planning issues - UDP renewal comes up in 2010. There is a 12-month review and put out in terms of what development could take place. Application for new housing in the area has already been turned down. Thornhill Estates are the owners of the majority of the land along with Calderdale Council and it is suspected that both may want to develop. The green belt is not excessive but is the only stretch between Woodhouse and the Kirkless boundary. We need to be aware of any forthcoming planning applications coming up in respect of developing in the green belt to the detriment of the area.

6.    Blakeborough’s Bridge was mentioned briefly, in that we have been told that its reopening will ‘never happen’. However, we are keeping an eye on things.

The meeting closed at 6:45pm.

Next Meeting:    Wednesday 9th July 2008, 6:00pm, Woodhouse School.