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Five things we learnt from Pudsey & Swinnow Community Forum

The latest Pudsey & Swinnow Community Forum has been held at Swinnow Community Centre.

Whilst the forum’s are ideal for people not on social media, they are a chance for anyone who live or work in Pudsey to by kept updated by their local councillors about what is happening in the area. 

Our community reporter Keely Bannister went along and here are five things she learnt.

1. Hough Side School development should be moving forward soon

Most council workers have moved out of Hough Side School, also known as Hough Top Court, and work to demolish the building should be able to take place soon. 

The playing fields/football pitches are safe and the gym complex and car park to the front is also to be retained. 

The site is listed on the Site Allocation Plan (SAP) with a capacity of 76 units meaning that housing will be the most likely future use for the site.

Pudsey ward councillors have told council officers that social housing is their preference for the land.

2. Engagement is improving youth anti-social behaviour in Swinnow

Engagement has been working in the Swinnow area to reduce anti-social behaviour. 

Workers at Swinnow Community Centre have challenged children causing issues outside the centre or in the opposite park.

They have managed to build up a good relationship with a core group of these youths by inviting them into the centre to play video games and enjoy Greggs baked goods that are delivered to the centre for free. These youths are now themselves challenging other young people’s behaviour and encouraging better from their peers.

22 young people are now waiting for the chance to help renovate Swinnow park by painting the shelter in the playground. The forum heard they are taking ownership of the park and want to put pride back into it. 

Workers at Swinnow Centre say the children are “doing a lot better” and credit the engagement work they have done for this and the rewarding of positive behaviour. 

3. Three Pudsey parks are going to receive makeovers…

queens park pudsey
Queens Park, Pudsey. Photo: Google

Queens Park, Swinnow Park, and Tyersal Park are all in line for some exciting updates with a trim trail and 22 fruit trees being added to each.

Swinnow will be the first to be updated with a eight-ten week timescale for completion. Work is expected to begin soon, meaning the improvements should be completed before Christmas. 

Additional to the trail and trees, councillors are also looking at changing the gates at Swinnow Park to allow easier access for disabled people. 

After Swinnow, Tyersal will follow with Queens Park improvements having to wait until after the football season has concluded due to the pitches requiring a slight rotation.

4. Need a garage? Leeds City Council have some available

Around a quarter of council-owned garages are currently vacant. If you would like to enquire about renting one, contact your local housing office.

Valley Road garages are currently in disrepair and are set to be demolished. It is not yet known what will happen to the land. 

5. Reporting works – so keep doing it!

Whether it’s getting potholes filled in or help the police catch criminals, reporting what you see really does work. 

Cllr Mark Harrison

Pudsey councillor and forum chair Mark Harrison said that he has noticed that potholes are being dealt with by the council and residents who report them are a big help in getting this done. 

You can report potholes by contacting one of the three ward councillors or by using the online facility.

Police representatives asked residents to report any crimes they witness as well as anything suspicious (cars or people being somewhere they don’t belong or an address smelling of cannabis when people don’t appear to be smoking it etc) they notice.

To make a report to the police, you can call 999 in an emergency or 101 for non emergencies, tell an officer in person or use the force’s website.

The next Pudsey & Swinnow Community Forum will be held on Tuesday 25th February 2020 at a venue to be confirmed.

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