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Big homes project will cut choices
I respond to the letter from Coun Les Carter (YEP, July 22) in which it is claimed that the Easel project will bring greater choice to 70,000 residents of East and South East Leeds. This is an illusion.
Coun Carter and Coun Harris claim that UNISON is opposed to regeneration, which is not true. UNISON did oppose the setting up of the Almos for good reasons, but not to deny investment in council houses.
It is not just UNISON that is opposed to PFI. Coun Carter should speak to Coun Harris who admitted at a Little London tenants meeting that PFI is not good value for money.
The residents and housing workers in East Leeds are aware of the issues they face. However to propose the only way to solve them is to demolish entire areas and hand them over to private developers is one-dimensional ideological thinking.
Not all the properties due for demolition are beyond economic repair and the majority of replacement homes will not be affordable for a large percentage of the population of Leeds, not just East Leeds.
Why is Coun Carter making the point that some council tenants wish to own their homes? Most people do. The economic reality in Leeds – relatively low wages, high property costs – means owner occupation is less of choice.
If giving people real choice is the agenda why are the council not demolishing large parts of the most affluent areas of Leeds and replacing owner-occupied properties with low-cost rented homes? This would give less affluent people a greater choice of where they live.
Choice is one of the slogans often used by politicians when in reality for most people there is less or no choice. No choice about the demolition of their home, reduced choice of living near friends and relatives, reduced choice in services and little real economic choice of type and tenure of property. Every council property demolished takes that choice away for future generations.
John McDermott, UNISON Convenor, Leeds
• I totally agree with Bernard Finnell (Letters, July 21). I also attended the Easel consultation event at Seacroft library with several questions and was given no clear answers.
The regeneration team are clearly out of touch with what many communities in East Leeds require. They would like to see a increase in affordable rented council housing which would help reduce housing waiting lists and give many families another option of a home they can be proud to live in. It is never to late for a rethink.
NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD
• I read with sceptical interest, Coun Mark Harris's letter (YEP, July 17). Mr Harris, if what is happening in our city now is not a land grab, what is it? Council properties built on council land which is mine and the citizens of this city, are being demolished and replaced by homes for private sale starting in the region of 110,000 for two-bedroom properties. No land grab here?
I advise you, Coun Harris, to come and have a look at these matchbox houses which are replacing substantially good council properties. No land grab?
Somebody is making a packet at this and it certainly isn't the tenants and council tax-payers of this city.
JP Morley, Stanks Drive, Leeds.
Community day out for veterans and families
June 27 was designated by the Government as the National Veterans Day. However, in the main, this seems to have passed unnoticed by the general public.
We all know that military veterans played a huge role in our past, but probably most people do not realise that new veterans are created each and every day of the year, and some of these younger veterans need help from organisations such as SSAFA Forces Help and the Royal British Legion.
It is important that communities come together and celebrate our history and get to know one another, and perhaps take a step back from our high-tech lives to enjoy the simpler pleasures. Years ago, Roundhay Park in Leeds was alive each year to the sounds of children playing and each year a children's day was held there.
After the Second World War, this was a chance for veterans to celebrate their futures with their families and to get to know again, those who lived around them.
SSAFA Forces Help and The Royal British Legion remembers those days, and have come together to organise a family fun day, echoing those days past. This free, family event will take place at Soldiers Field in Roundhay Park on August 19, between 11am and 4pm.
This will be a real community event, with stalls, dance troupes, bands, children's entertainment, a fun fair and displays of vintage cars and military interests. Veterans will be there to talk about their experiences to children and other veterans alike. We do hope that this event will stir some memories and would hope that local veterans and their families would join us.
BRIAN ARMITAGE, County Secretary, SSAFA Force Help, West Yorkshire
So what if I support the Labour Party?
So, on a day when Garforth gets the news we have all been waiting for, that Garforth is not going to be the site of a new prison, what does Andrew Carter, Leader of the Leeds Tories, have to say on the matter? That the MP is "talking rubbish" and I am "a member of the Labour Party."
So what? Let me be quite clear, while always having Labour Party values and principles I was not a party member until my forties. Why so late in the day you may ask? I always kept politics out of my various roles in the community, indeed I continue to do so.
I joined the Labour Party after I was repeatedly subjected to harassment and a domineering attitude by the Conservatives who, in my considered opinion, undermined, and continue to do so, every single issue the Garforth Residents Association has fought for.
In contrast the Labour team locally have always been supportive in our campaigns which led me to seek membership. Indeed in 2006 I was proud to act as Tom Murray's election agent in his successful campaign, but it was hardly a secret now was it?
Let me also be quite clear. If the GRA, or any other body I am involved with out of politics, thought I was using my influence to progress the Labour Party I would be down the road very quickly indeed, believe you me.
Does Coun Carter think the people of Garforth could care less what my political loyalties are as long as I and my GRA colleagues continue to stand up for Garforth and get things done?
If I were he I would spend the next few days working out how to explain away the far-fetched claims on the prison issue made by Coun Mark Phillips, Coun Andrew Millard and himself.
Mark Dobson, Garforth, Leeds.
Welcome for garden tribute
Grant Woodward's piece about the Wainwrights' beautiful garden (YEP, July 18), and the news that part of it may come to a prime site in the city centre, seems to me a well deserved tribute to the family's hard work and dedication over many years and a lovely tribute to Sir Richard Wainwright.
I remember Richard and Joyce coming to Lady Lane Methodist Chapel at Gipton as a young couple and they were always an inspiration to the church members.
Many of us have enjoyed events in their lovely gardens.
MAVIS HARRISON, Saxton Gardens, Leeds
'Free beer' and council's U-turn
The reported U-turn on school clothing grants by Leeds City Council is welcome news indeed. Whether it is a victory for common sense or public opinion does not really matter.
However, what will be of concern to many in Leeds is where this money is said to have been found from, ie the 'hospitality' and PR budget.
To be able to lose 350,000 from it shows that, if anything, that 'hospitality' must be very lavishly funded indeed!
How much 'free beer' etc are the council tax payers of Leeds paying for each financial year?
Looking after the interests of children from lower income families is one thing, but free drinks is quite another matter. Perhaps Coun Harris could let us all know exactly what is going on, as first there was the 1984 Big Brother approach to complaints over the Easel project, now this issue looks rather like Animal Farm all over again?
DS BOYES, Bramley, Leeds
Thanks for a fantastic weekend
I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Leeds City Council for the fantastic weekend they provided free for anyone who was interested.
I was lucky enough to attend the Opera in the Park on Saturday night, although at one stage this did look as though it would be a washout. To be able to see and listen to one of our most successful classical performers, Katherine Jenkins, in a setting such as Temple Newsam Park was a privilege and everyone concerned in setting up the event should be congratulated.
I agree wholeheartedly with your Comment column on Monday. Thank you and roll on next year!
Pat Thompson, Barnsley
l Another great day at Party in the Park. Just to say thank all involved behind the scenes. You are appreciated.
R SMITH, Castleford
Leeds joins commuterland
If commuting 58 miles per day does not appeal to Andrew Hanson (Letters, July 22), perhaps he should consider finding work nearer home or re-locating closer to his existing employment, as travelling miles to one's work was not, up to a few decades ago, an option.
A couple of Sundays ago, an afternoon walk in the Pudsey/Bramley area was an eye-opener, as in less than a mile, I came across five, parked-up, company vans from, Castleford, Wetherby, Halifax, Keighley and Barnsley, which proves that there are no employment opportunities locally, and that Leeds is becoming another London as regards commuting, with Pudsey a second Purley, and Morley a second Morden.
A SHIPMAN, Swinnow, Leeds
1966 and all that
I well remember 1966 and watching on TV as England won the World Cup; nobody would have been more pleased than I if we had repeated the feat in 2006; but can you imagine had they done so, how Tony Blair and his Cronies would have claimed it for New Labour, and pronounced "what a wonderful Utopia we live in"; thus hiding again the fact that the NHS is in serious trouble, and that hundreds of people who spent 50 years of their lives at work and paying their taxes are now living in near poverty. A pity they don't have politicians pensions.
Peter Moore, Priestley Drive, Pudsey
Highway robbery
Last Saturday I parked my car to make a 15-minute call to a shop.
I put in 1.60 but the machine rejected it.
When I saw a traffic warden and mentioned it, I was told that 2.50 is the minimum on Saturday – that's why the meter wouldn't accept the money.
Might I suggest that Leeds's councillors put on highwaymen's masks and hats and stand-and-deliver notices on meters. Talk about robbery!
J SHEDLOW, Moortown, Leeds
Pay-up plea
Good on you, Coun Atha (YEP July 18). Why should we pay for the filth that's left behind when students leave? Headingley is a tip, and there are many filthy gardens opposite the cricket ground. I wonder what cricket fans and visitors think when they travel miles to watch a game.
It's time council tax was paid by these so-called landlords – what a freebie they get!
I'm dreading the return of these students.
J JACKSON, Headingley, Leeds.
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