McDonalds Public Inquiry

I sat at the Public Inquiry dealing with the McDonalds take away planning application at Tingley for 4 days last week. We represented local residents as a Rule 6 Party which gives us the right to ask awkward questions of McDonald’s experts on Planning/Highways/Noise Nuisance and Public Health.

McDonalds were represented by a Barrister who presented their case with reports from his experts who all confirmed that there was not a problem with placing a McDonald’s Drive-through Take-away at this residential location. It is clear to me that some of the reports from McDonald’s experts were questionable but – as they have deep pockets – they can make sure any reports they have fully support their scheme.

To give credit the Leeds City Council, they also had a barrister putting their reasons for refusal who did an excellent job and used different independent reports to show that McDonald’s case was flawed.

What struck me – as I tried to do my best Perry Mason impression – was the patience of local residents who turned up day after day to listen to some fairly dry and involved evidence – and just how difficult it is with some Developers for them to appreciate the impact their Development has on local communities.

We put the case about the negative impact on Public Health having a burger bar next to a high school along with Highways concerns and the impact on the quality of life of local residents. All was carefully recorded by the Planning Inspector who will make a decision on the application later in the year.

I hope with all the efforts put in by campaigners, the community and local councillors that the decision to refuse the Planning Application is upheld.

MBIs back Community Orchard Initiative



MBI Councillors supporting the community orchard initiative


This blog often focuses on the politics of an issue and promotes a political view many people find provocative which, on some occasions, promotes heated debate.

Last Thursday I was involved, along with my MBI colleagues, with a community initiative that has unanimous support from everyone and was welcome by many varying and different groups.

The initiative was the planting of a community orchard in Dartmouth Park – the idea of the Friends of Dartmouth Park Group with support from Churwell Environmental Action Volunteers, local schools - both primary and secondary - Parks Staff and Councillors from different parties.

The project looks at planting fruit trees which, when they flourish, will make free fruit available to local residents both young and old.

The weather was excellent and the overwhelmingly positive approach adopted by everyone was a pleasure to be part of. I hope we can see further development of such a scheme across Morley as - in these health conscious days - free fruit for the community is something we can all sign up to!

Labour votes for fewer Police on Morley Streets

Labour backs reducing Police Officer numbers in Morley

Our proposal for an additional 22 Police Community Support Officers for outer areas in Leeds was voted down by Labour Councillors at Leeds City Councils Budget Meeting last Wednesday. Our proposal would see City Centre Parking Charges increased to cover more police community support officers on local streets.

We are disappointed that we did not get the backing of other councillors for increasing the number of PCSOs patrolling Morley’s Streets. It’s a double blow as the Leader of Leeds City Council also announced that they would reduce the number of PCSOs paid for by the Council for Morley from ten down to six. PCSOs have made a significant contribution to reducing crime levels in Morley and the reduction in their number is a step backwards.

The number of PCSOs is to be reduced in most outer areas in Leeds which is proving controversial as the Police and Crime Commissioner confirmed an underspend of £5 million on his staffing budget.

The PCC not only has a ring fenced budget and is increasing the precept all Morley residents pay to the Police, he has also underspent his staffing budget by over £5 million this year. There is no justification for cutting Police numbers in the Morley area and we will be campaigning for a Policing fair deal for Morley.

Morley Town Council increased its community safety budget by over 20% to £64,000 a year to support Policing levels across the Morley Town Council area. It’s clear that our commitment

to Morley Folk is much deeper than Labours!

Budget for Siegen Manor

MBI Councillors campaigning to save Siegen Manor

Morley Borough Independent Councillors will formally raise an amendment to Leeds City Councils Budget, due to be debated on Wednesday, to save Siegen Manor Older Persons home in Morley from closure. The home, which has many elderly and disabled residents, is presently subject to a consultation process due to be concluded in June this year.

We are amending the proposed budget to prevent Siegen Manor from being closed. Our proposal would see a general increase in parking charges which will raise enough money to prevent the closure of Siegen Manor and two other homes across Leeds.

A decision will be taken on Wednesday on whether to raise £5 million for Adult Social Care with a 2% levy on Council Tax bills.

We have been campaigning with residents and their families for months to prevent Siegen Manor from closing. We have found a realistic and affordable alternative to closure which would keep the home open until better extra care accommodation is available in the Morley area. The additional money generated from the 2% levy can be used to improve Adult Social Care in Morley and across Leeds.

We have campaigned with the local MP Andrea Jenkyns and the families of residents to raise a petition opposing closure with over 1200 signatures.

Our budget amendment offers a realistic alternative to closure and I hope we will gain the support of Councillors across the Leeds City Council area to keep Siegen Manor open as closure will have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of all the residents there.

Keeping Police Numbers high in Morley

We are presently in discussions with the Police Service about keeping Police Numbers as high as possible in the Morley area. Following news that the Police and Crime Commissioner has been given a ring fenced budget and that he does not need to make any cuts to Police numbers - we have gone back to negotiate firmly to make sure we keep as many PCSOs in Morley as we can.

Morley residents already pay three times for the Police Service. This includes a precept to the Police Authority, payment to Leeds City Council who finance PCSOs and in their precept to Morley Town Council who again make payments for additional Policing.

We will not tolerate reductions in PCSO numbers if Morley's Policing Team is reduced to provide additional PCSOs to those councils - such as Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale - who do not put their hands as deeply into their pockets as Morley residents do.

We are negotiating hard at Town and City Council level to make sure we retain Police numbers as high as we can and will be moving a budget amendment at Leeds City Councils Budget meeting to deliver more Police on Morley streets.

Crime levels across Morley have decreased over the last decade and we need to work as hard as we can to keep them as low as possible.

Morley Bottoms Enforcement Plan

Councillors met with Enforcement Officer from Leeds City Councils Planning and Environmental Action teams to explore the options for a combined plan to improve Morley Bottoms. Following a walkabout to look at some of the untidy sites and building in disrepair, officers agreed to a plan to explore using their powers to get the area cleared up.

Planning Enforcement have powers to issue Section 215 notices under the Town and Planning Act 1990. This compels the owners of untidy properties to take action to tidy them up or face court action. Environmental Action Officers also have similar powers to have overgrown and untidy greenspaces cleared up.

The Enforcement Action team agreed to use their legal powers to issue notices to the owners of untidy building and greenspaces.

We are aiming to make more progress with the regeneration of Morley Bottoms and the action the Enforcement Team are to take will help to start the longer term project of clearing up the area.

Drighlington Football Scheme supported

Morley North Ward Councillors have backed a scheme which would provide the support Drighlington Football Club needs to play football at a higher level.

The agreement would introduce football style barriers along the length of both football pitches adjacent to Drighlington Meeting Hall. The proposal, which is to be supported by a £9,000 grant from the Football Foundation, will give the Club the potential to play games at a higher footballing level and advance into more senior football leagues.

We have been discussing this proposal since last February with the Parish Council, residents groups and other sporting groups in the village. A final decision had to be made by January 31st or the £9,000 grant would have been lost.

The barriers will be removed during the summer months which will allow full and open access for Drighlington Gala.

Some of the problems raised have been resolved and I am sure most residents will back this scheme which will assist Drighlington Football Club. The club provides a lot of support to children and young people from Drighlington and the surrounding areas, giving them positive opportunities and this work, supported by the Football Foundation grant, will help the club with their future ambitions.