Councillor ‘has missed point’

4:29pm Thursday 26th June 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

SIR, - I read with interest the offer of Coun Colin Campbell to chair a meeting about the work of the council's Planning Dept. I think that he has misunderstood the point.

Many years ago a phone mast was put up in the auction mart yard and the city councillor at that time was Coun Phil Coyne. There was very little opposition as most people felt that the work which was going on in the yard was something to do with the alterations to Massingberd which were taking place at that time.

A couple of years later another mast appeared in the yard at the bottom of East Chevin Road. A number of objections were sent from the residents of Leeds Road, Pearson's Buildings, Waites Terrace, Silver Mill Hill, etc.

It would appear that someone in the Leeds City Council planning department lost the letters of objection from the residents, as well as not putting in an objection themselves until after the date of objection had closed.

The only letter which the city council had was one from Dr Goodall on Silver Mill Hill, so he had to fight the case on behalf of the residents. Dr Goodall has fought very hard and finally an enforcement order has been served to remove this mast. End of story? - NO!

It would appear that another phone company has stepped in and has now applied to put up another mast in the same yard. What has incensed people in this area is that none of the city councillors have informed the residents as to this 'new' plan.

City councillors have the use of secretaries and a 'free' postage system to inform their residents of any issues. It would appear to me that in view of the VERY controversial nature of previous plans/phone masts in this area that they should have informed the local residents.

This is the reason why local residents are asking for a meeting.

Coun Nigel Francis Otley Town Council.

Celebrating NHS

SIR, - As I am sure you are aware, Saturday, July 5, marks the 60th anniversary of the National Health Service.

This momentous milestone provides an unmissable opportunity, not only to celebrate achievement over the last 60 years but also to look forward to our future vision for a world-class NHS.

The focus of much of our activity will be to recognise the achievement of NHS staff and the vital services they provide to millions of people across the region. Without them none of the improvements of the last 60 years, or future advances in patient care and public health, would or will be possible.

The NHS, our partner organisations, patients and the public are planning a range of exciting activity across the country to mark the occasion.

At a national level, the Department of Health is organising a series of high profile events, culminating in NHS 60 Week, which runs from June 29 to July 5.

A number of events and activities are also taking place locally and across our region. In Leeds, a free health and wellbeing event is being held in Millennium Square on Thursday, July 3. Be Happy, Be Healthy is a celebration of all that's great about our local NHS. It runs from 10am until 4pm and entry is free.

On the day itself members of the public can:

• Visit our health market place and get free, general health information and advice.

• Join in a wide range of activities including a mini- workout with the Leeds Rhinos dancers and cricket practice with Yorkshire County Cricket Club
• Find out more about local NHS services.

• Enter a range of free competitions and prize draws to win fantastic prizes including hotel stays, gym membership and top quality bicycles The Leeds Primary Care Trust Annual General Meeting and Strategy launch also takes place during the event from 9.30am onwards and all are welcome to come along and find out more about out plans for reducing health inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Leeds over the next three years.

We hope your readers will pop along to Millennium Square on July 3 and join us in recognising the unique contribution the NHS makes to British society.

Christine Outram Chief Executive, Leeds Primary Care Trust.

Post office thanks

SIR, - During the past few weeks there has been considerable activity to help save our local post offices. I would like to thank everyone who responded and let their views be known. I'd also like to thank Greg Mulholland for organising the public meetings.

However, as suspected, it is now evident that the 'consultation' was largely a farce and that come what may, approximately 2,500 Post Offices are set to be closed - very clearly against the wishes of the people.

Locally, the Conservatives alone collected more than 5,000 signatures - which we presented to Downing Street on June 20. However, when gathering up petitions from local shops and pubs a number of people commented that Mr Mulholland's staff had been somewhat 'over zealous' - several petitions mysteriously disappeared or were replaced with his own.?

Whilst I believe, Mr Mulholland would not condone this behaviour, I do think that Councillor Barry Anderson is correct - on issues like this we should work constructively together, for the sake of giving all members of the community the opportunity to respond.

Julia Mulligan Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Leeds North West.

• MP Greg Mulholland replies: "As people know, there has been an official, non-party political petition running to protest about Post Office closures. It was regrettable that the Conservative prospective candidate decided to run a separate, Conservative Party petition instead of supporting the community campaign. But the insinuation that my team, who have been working for me as the local MP, have removed her petition is disgraceful and absurd, and it does her no credit to level such baseless accusations. Rather than supporting the inclusive community campaign and petition, to give us the best chance of saving our post offices, she instead chose to try to use the Post Office closure to garner some publicity for herself. In contrast, at every stage I have worked with and involved all local representatives, including Councillor Barry Anderson who I was delighted accepted my invitation to join me on the panel in Bramhope alongside the parish council. We agreed, in Otley in Bramhope, that our best approach was with all three levels of representation working together on this."