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Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend
Harewood Parish Council were delighted to support events in Harewood and Wigton celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over the extended bank holiday weekend in June.
The event at Wigton Moor Church on Saturday 4 June attracted more than 120 participants and featured some creative cake designs as well as a hugely popular pianist, who played with the enthusiastic accompaniment of the audience singing along to their favourite tunes.
The Harewood event was held in the Village Hall on Sunday 5 June and was very well attended despite the cool, rainy weather. There were plentiful sandwiches and cakes served inside the hall, and barbecued burgers and sausages outside, together with a bar. There were activities for children and the Caribbean Breeze Steel Band contributed to the party atmosphere with their amazing music. |
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Speed Indicator Devices
More than two thirds of road accidents in which someone is killed or injured occur in 30mph limits (RoSPA: https://www.rospa.com/road-safety/advice/drivers/speeding). Encouraging safe driving throughout the Parish is a priority for Harewood Parish Council. One of the measures we have introduced is to install speed indicator devices in Harewood village and, more recently, in Wike. Councillors Hill and Masterton have received training from Leeds City Council to enable them to download data from the devices.
During the month of June 2022, the data retrieved from the device on the A61 showed:
· 44719 vehicles recorded over the one month period but this is not an accurate indicator of traffic volume because not every vehicle is recorded. For example, if vehicles are close together when they approach the device only the lead vehicle is recorded.
· 23% of vehicles were travelling at speeds greater than 30 mph.
· The maximum speed was 69 mph (recorded once between 01:00 and 02:00am on a Sunday morning and once between 20:00 and 21:00 on Thursday evening).
· 47 vehicles were recorded at speeds of 60mph or over.
· BUT the average speed of vehicles was only 25mph
The data shows clear patterns of grouped fast and slow vehicles which most likely reflect the sequence of the traffic lights. The Parish Council has therefore requested re-siting of the speed indicator device on the A61, which is too near the traffic lights, to gain a more accurate representation of vehicle speeds entering the 30-mph limit. We have also requested re-siting of the device on The Avenue because it has never worked properly.
We plan to download and analyse the data from Wike this month and report it in our next newsletter.
The question remains about what happens next. If statistics reveal a significant problem, then Leeds traffic officers can request enforcement support from the police. However, there are sometimes issues to overcome, not least the space needed for an enforcement vehicle to park safely and visibly. The Parish Council hopes and trusts that our speed signs will calm the general traffic flow, but some drivers will flagrantly disregard limits whatever action is taken.
The Parish Council would welcome your comments on this and any other matter. You can email us directly or post a comment on our website:
https://harewoodparishcouncil.gov.uk/contact/ |
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Your Parish Councillors
Although some seventy or more percent of the population of Harewood Parish live in Wigton Moor, it has always been difficult to secure a full complement of councillors for this area. When seats are not filled in the elections held every four years, those elected members of the Council can fill vacant seats through co-option. We are very pleased to welcome two new Councillors. Mike Pawson has lived in Wigton Moor for 53 years and brings a range of experience from a long period of public and voluntary service. Howard Foreman is also a long-standing Leeds resident with a record of service to the community and is currently Chair of Trustees for MAECARE (Moor Allerton Elderly Care).
There will be new elections in 2023 when all existing Councillors’ terms of office end. Parish Councils offer a means of making a difference to the quality of life in local community but depend upon willingness of people to stand as an elected member of the Council, take an active role in council meetings and serve the community. Two councillors represent Harewood village, Wike and Weardley and seven represent Wigton Moor. It is not too early to think about putting yourself forward for the elections next May. |
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Wigton Moor Bus Stop Sign
Bus travellers in Harewood are now benefiting from electronic display signs at the bus stops in the village, which give information and reassurance about the service provision to Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby and Otley. In other parts of the Parish like Wigton Moor the bus service is poor, running only once per hour in the day time with no provision in the evenings and on Sundays. Without electronic signage, people waiting at the bus stop outside the Coop on High Ash Drive have no idea of what time a bus is expected or if a service is cancelled. Due to the limited service, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority were reluctant to install electronic display so Harewood Parish Council has stepped in to provide a real-time display at the High Ash Drive bus stop. We hope this will be of benefit to local residents and encourage greater bus usage. |
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Local planning applications
A significant proportion of time in each Council Meeting is given over to consideration of local planning applications. In recent years house improvements have become very popular, some involving considerable proposed changes to existing property. Leeds City Council, the planning authority, has a statutory duty to notify us of planning applications in the Harewood Council area and invite comment. All planning applications can be seen on the Leeds City Council web site (Planning Applications) and it is open to anyone to comment.
In looking at planning proposals, the Parish Council seeks to add a broader perspective as well as being sympathetic to concerns of residents and businesses adjacent to proposed developments. Objections that the Council has made generally concern developments that are not in keeping with the immediate environment or where proposals seem to be out of proportion to the existing and neighbouring properties. The Council has not sought to object to commercial developments that add amenities to the district, promote employment and the local economy providing the proposed buildings and other works fit into the general landscape and, particularly, conform to Green Belt requirements.
Harewood Parish Council has no authority over any planning decisions. Leeds planners and Councillors make the final decisions on proposed development. Objections to specific planning proposals, or aspects of them, are most effectively made directly to Leeds City Council Planning Department. Developers or objectors are welcome to ask to address the Parish Council at one of their meetings when a proposal is to be considered but seeking a Parish Council endorsement to a proposal or objection does not automatically mean that it carries greater weight with planners. The contribution to a decision expected from the Parish Council is a general view on the appropriateness of a development in the local context. |
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Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed
Local residents in the Harewood ward will be familiar with Himalayan Balsam, an invasive weed that was introduced to the UK in 1839 as a garden plant for filling herbaceous borders. It prefers moist and humid conditions and is often found growing on river banks (along the River Wharfe for example) or in ditches but it will tolerate drier soil and will grow on waste ground and roadside verges or along woodland and meadow margins. It produces explosive seed pods that can scatter seed up to 7 metres (22 feet) from the parent plant and for this reason it soon escaped cultivated settings and spread rapidly and widely, inhibiting native plants with its prolific growth. Once established in the catchment of a river the seeds, which can remain viable for two years, can be transported further afield by water.
Himalayan balsam has pink, orchid-like flowers that produce large amounts of nectar and make the plant very attractive to numerous bee and insect species. Chemical control is therefore not recommended, particularly along watercourses, and up-rooting or other wild-life friendly methods of control are preferred. Conservation authorities regularly organise ‘balsam bashing’ work parties to clear the weed from marshland and riverbanks and give native plants the opportunity to compete with the invader.
If you find Himalayan Balsam growing in or near your property, please pull it up before it flowers to prevent seeding and spread. This will help limit its spread through the village. |
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The other plant to closely watch out for is the ultra invasive Japanese Knotweed. This deep-rooted menace grows vigorously; its roots can penetrate brickwork and damage foundations and its stems can dislodge any structures they penetrate. Its presence can seriously lower the value of property. It is very expensive to eradicate. If you see this plant anywhere near your property it is very important to take action as soon as possible.
The Council would ask all land owners to be on the alert for any infestation and to take the necessary action. |
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Invasive Japanese Knotweed with its characteristic zig-zag stems |
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Job vacancy - Caretaker
Harewood Parish Council is looking for a caretaker for the village recreation area on Malt Kiln Lane, Harewood.
The commitment is one to two hours per week to check the play and exercise equipment, rake the wood-chip safety areas, inspect the fences and gates, maintain the tennis court, clean the signs and empty the two litter bins. No gardening work is necessary, the green areas and planting are managed by a contractor. Basic computer skills are required to maintain the inspection records. Rate of pay is £12.50 per hour. If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please contact the Parish Clerk by email: contact@harewoodparishcouncil.gov.uk |
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