Breaking News... Local Councillor wants more!

We have just received a communication from a disgruntled Horsforth Liberal Democrat who informs us that Councillor Chris Townsley http://horsforthletdownbyleeds.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/horsforth-councillor-in-allowance-claim.html has arranged for his wife Margaret to succeed the elderly Councillor Brian Cleasby  http://horsforthletdownbyleeds.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/two-down-one-to-go.html when he stands down from office in 2014! Margaret will be the candidate at the following election for the Lib Dems.

This makes two snouts in the same trough!

This clear attempt to increase the family income has upset many local activists and is seen as a disgrace by many Horsfordians.

Especially when so many local people are seeing their incomes reduce!

Leeds City Council grit lorry wrecks showroom!

Following the recent snowfall in Horsforth a Leeds City Council Grit lorry was seen allegedly speeding along Long Row when it lost control and crashed into the local Motor Car Showroom.

Local residents had previously reported the grit lorry as driving dangerously fast and in an aggressive manner.

Luckily no one was injured this time.

Local residents "disapointed" with secretive Town Councillors

Local residents have again accused Horsforth Town Council of being "Secretive" and letting down the people of Horsforth.

In an open letter to the Council one resident says-

"I am a long standing Horsforth resident feeling somewhat let down, disappointed and disillusioned by the Town Council persay.

By just walking around my local area I see ASB, drug use, excessive drinking, public houses clearly flouting the licensing laws, the decline in street cleansing - excessive litter, dog fouling/chewing gum and graffitti. Not to mention the appaling condition many of our pavements and roads are in all seem in free fall in decline and deprivation.

Since the end of 2012 I have actively engaged with the local PCSO's and NPT which has seen a greater visible presence on our streets resulting in much of the ASB declining/eradicated altogether, drug using/dealing concerns addressed and speeding concerns tackled. I have contacted Leeds City Council and asked them to address the street cleaning issue whilst progress in this area is slow it has improved. Although the wider issue of prosecution of the perpetrators/ dog owners needs to be dealt with rather then just sending street cleaners to clean up after them periodically this does not tackle the route cause - it should not be happening at all.

By opening my eyes, ears and mouth I have proactively and swiftly tackled many local concerns I am one person who happens to work circa 50 hours per week and have a demanding lifestyle I have little time to be tackling issues which quite frankly should be picked up and addressed by our local town councillors. At present my personal opinion is that unless there is some PR / Media interest in it for the Town Council you are positively closed and disconnected to local concerns. I should not have to be doing what I am doing as that is why we have a local town council to maintain standards and address local issues is it not? to effectively bridge the gap between local residents and Leeds City Council so that local residents do not have to concern themselves with such issues. I do not see you as a proactive, useful resource at present which saddens me.

These are some issues I require assistance with:

•The streets to be cleaner ie. the dog mess to be eradicated and perpetrators dealt with effectively

•As above but with chewing gum our pavements are littered with it

•Following the weekend there is always piles of human sick on town street / Long Row

•Street lighting on Broadgate Lane is virtually none existant

•To maintain links with the PCT / NPT to ensure local concerns and 'hot spot' areas are tackled proactively before our more vulnerable members of the community are fearful to leave their homes after dark

•I understand the local bus services are to be cut/altered making it difficult for people to access neighbouring towns and villages

Overall a more visible presence of 'our town councillors' is required and not just at voting time! you should be working for your votes and supporters 365 days a year! I struggle to get to you because of the hours I work over the years I have tried to be an active member of the Town Council my last attempt was June time 2012 I was dismissed and given incorrect information.

Come on Horsforth Town Council get your act together if I am seeing the area decline rapidly than you must see the same! stop the rot now! I cannot do it all by myself. Confidence in you amongst local people is rapidly on the decline only you can save it and stop it going any further you can do this by been more receptive, engaging, visible and proactive! Rebranding the library was nice but that doesnt help with those too scared to leave their homes around Low Lane because of the ASB in the area... it doesnt clear up the dog dirt on our pavements..."

There is feeling that Horsforth deserves better for the additional rates we pay into the Town Council and that it should be more open and accountable.

Thank you for listening!

Back in August we asked if a local  Council owned building could be named after the Brownlee brothers to celebrate their wonderful sucess at the Olympic Games.

It is fantastic to see that the Old Library at the top of Town Street has been re-dedicated "Brownlee Stone Centre" to celebrate these great Horsfordians. Well done to all concerned!

Two down One to go!

                                             

Breaking News!

We have just received word that following on from Andrew Barkers shock de-selection by local Liberal Democrats prior to the May 2011 election that Brian Cleasby will not be seeking re-election when his term ends in 2014!

Cleasby does not even live in Horsforth and never has!

The old age pensioner was once dubbed one of "Britain’s most well-travelled council officials" by The Times, when they revealed that as well as trips to Beijing and Hangzhou  taxpayers also stumped up £4,832 for Cleasby and his wife, Jo, to fly business class to Durban, the South African city that is twinned with Leeds and renowned for its warm climate and surf.!

In the year to March 2012 Cleasby received a staggering £16,158.21 in allowances....

Snouts in the trough continued! Leeds shamed again

IPSA have released this year’s expenses figures for Members of Parliament and this years most greedy claimant is Leeds Liberal Democrat M.P Greg Mulholland!

Beating every other M.P in the country with an eye watering £188,783.

This is just for expenses and does not include his own salary! Outrageous!!

By my calculations, Mulholland claims over £500 per DAY EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR!

A typical week in Horsforth! w/c 20.8.2012 Neighbourhood watch news...

Crime
There have been 3 burglaries in Horsforth this week.
The first one was on Salmon Crescent, a rear window has been smashed, suspects have entered the premises and have stolen some electrical items and jewellery. 4 people have been arrested for this burglary with enquiries on going. The next was on Castlewood Close, the patio doors had a faulty lock which meant they did not always lock, suspects have been in and stolen mainly jewellery. The last was an attempt on Scotland Lane, suspect's have smashed a small window nest to where the door lock is, no entry has been gained due to extra security locks on the property.
Car Crime
On Sunnybank Avenue a Peugeot Partner Van has had the window smashed and some work tools taken, a Golf has also been damaged on here by someone damaging the lock and taking a Sat Nav from within.

On Wood Lane a window has been smashed on a Combi Van, suspects could not get into the rear of the van and nothing has been taken.

On West End Close a Fiesta has been broken into and a Sat Nav has been stolen, on Rose Terrace a Peugeot 206 has had the lock forced with offenders stealing sunglasses and a MP3 player.
On Newlaithes Road, suspects have started to bend the door back on a van when they were disturbed by a neighbour and have made off. On Stanhope Drive a Transit Van has been broken into by the side door, the alarm has sounded which has alerted the owner who tries to chase the suspects who have now left empty handed.
A cast iron gate and a wooden garden bench have been damaged on Low Lane at St James Church Parish Centre. Someone has approached a wall and tipped coping from it causing the damage. Also on Low Lane damage has been caused to a Honda Jazz by someone scratching it on one side with a sharp object.
On Salmon Crescent damage has been caused to the rear window of a property, enquiries are on going.
The GOLDEN post box on New Road Side has been vandalised by someone using black spray paint on it.
A bag has been stolen from a trolley in Morrisons, this has happened around the dinner time area. Please be extra careful and never leave your bag unattended.
A mountain bike that was left propped up outside a shop has been stolen from Town Street. Enquiries are on going.

Arrests of Note
A 29 year old female from Guiseley was arrested for driving over the prescribed limit on Leeds Road.
A 16 and a 19 year old from the local area have been arrested and spoken to about Burglary Others in the area.
A 19 year old male from Leeds 6 area has been arrested for conspiracy to commit burglary after complaints received about a male looking through house windows on Broadway.
A 27 year old male from Leeds 16 area has received a Cannabis warning after a call came in about the smell of drugs on Regent Crescent.

Just a typical week....

Horsforth deserves a Christmas Tree this year !

2011 was the first time in decades that Horsforth was without its traditional Christmas Tree situated on The Green. Local residents felt that yet again they had been "Let down by Leeds!"

Local activists have gathered this year to demand that our Councillors do not let down the children of Horsforth again.

We issue this challenge "Show us that you really do care, not just at election time and make sure we get our Christmas Tree"

Now is the time to make it happen with four months left to go....

 

BREAKING NEWS

Word just in from Horsforth Town Councillor, we are to get our tree on the green!!!

Well done everyone who has lobied the Council, a great result for Horsforth!

The haters strike again!

Horsforths proud celebration of the Brownlee brothers great achievements has been vandalised by those who are jealous of success.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/leeds-olympic-gold-postbox-vandalised-exclusive-1-4854421

Victory for the Campaign

We have been contacted by Leeds City Council with the fantastic news that the Outwood Lane Redrow housing development has been refused planning permission.

This is great news for everyone concerned, especialy local residents who have been against the development from the begining. Thank you to everyone who has helped.

Hopefuly we will not have to go through this ordeal again.

Olympic Champions

A post box has been painted gold in Horsforth to mark Alistair Brownlee's win in the Olympic triathlon.

Alistair, 24, came first while his brother Jonny, 23, took bronze.
Royal Mail is painting a post box in the home towns of British Olympic champions, with Alistair's tribute being on New Road Side.

Horsforth is proud of you both! Now can we have one of the City Council buildings renamed in their honour too...

Horsforth based cartoon!

This was sent into us by a local campaigner, Horsforth seems to be getting some unwanted publicity lately !

Horsforth gets a Jubilee Garden.

We have just been contacted by Councillor Martin Hughes, Chairman of the Civic Society with the fantastic news that the long awaited Jubilee Garden was finished just in time for the Horsforth in Bloom judging.

The garden that is funded by the Town Council and situated outside the old Library building on Town Street will be a welcome haven for local residents looking to catch their breath in a tranquil setting.

Well done to all concerned. The Garden area was officially opened by Councillor Jude Arbuckle.

New Fish and Chip shop for Horsforth

The Cove Fish and Chip shop on Station Road is the first new Fish and Chip shop to open in Horsforth for decades, early reports are fantastic and we wish the team every success in this venture.

Mention "Bob" when you visit for extra chips in your bag!