As a result of the barbeque mayhem that began in May last year, instead of enforcing the byelaws, our councillors arranged Multi Agency meetings. These were held on the 16th May, the 18th June, and 17th July 2008. The minutes of these meetings have recently become available and show that they were attended by Councillor Penny Ewens (chair), Councillor Jamie Matthews, representatives from Parks and Countryside, Leeds University, and both student unions. At item 4.7 of the minutes from the 16th May 2008, it states:
“A discussion was had about having a designated barbeque area. It was agreed that an idea such as this would need to be consulted on. Phil Staniforth will look at what options are available and liaise with Area Management”.
And at paragraph 4.1 of the minutes from the 17th July 2009, it states that Leeds University:
“will publicise agreement on by-laws once made”.
What agreement was this ? To change the city’s byelaws ? To get students to vote for designated barbeque areas ? And in exchange for what ?
Points to note :
- Even though local residents only found out about the proposal in March 2009, planning for it had been going on for 10 months.
- Local residents were not invited to attend these meetings.
- Officers from the student unions attended all 3 meetings.
Then in December 2008, with residents still unaware of the barbeque consultation, a student union rep gave the following report to his colleagues on the executive about the DPPO and barbeque consultations:
-Gathering letters to send in for the 2 separate consultations and had a UCR publicity day.
– Support for the barbecue is overwhelming with 50 letters in support and 10 against.
– DPPO is split with about 20 letters each way.
– More letters coming in daily.
The process has clearly included one section of the community (students) and excluded everyone else. The appearance is that our councillors have known what they wanted to do for over a year and have deliberately worked with the one section of the community that they thought would be supportive, and deliberately kept the section that they knew wouldn’t agree with them in the dark until the very last minute.
References
Minutes of meeting of the 16th May 2008
Minutes of meeting of the 18th June 2008
Minutes of meeting of the 17th July 2008
Extract from student union rep Rob Damaio update report – Dec 08