Residents in student-home area win fight for extra council help

In July residents from Hyde Park in Leeds told the council that they needed more help in tackling anti-social behaviour and improving damaged community relations.

They argued that Hyde Park, the most densely-populated part of Leeds required extra assistance to deal with a range of deep-seated problems relating to overcrowding, poverty, crime and poor community relations; there are 40,000 students in the district.

The council has now heeded their calls, yesterday promising a "major drive" to tackle the problems.

Responding to a plea from permanent residents not to ignore the "hidden deprivation", the council is to create a programme of intensive work that will begin with a blitz on "crime and grime" while a longer-term plan is developed.

A new Neighbourhood Board will be created to develop and deliver the plan. Chaired by Councillor Peter Gruen, the council's executive board member for neighbourhoods and housing, it will involve local councillors, residents, students and managers from across the council and other public services.

A senior council officer will become responsible for bringing the different services together and achieving the improvements.

The board will work with the universities and students groups.

Short-term solutions will include improved security awareness, out-of-hours dog warden patrols, an annual summer "deep clean" to clear bin yards, take bins off streets, clear back alleys, remove graffiti, spray weeds and tidy green spaces.

In the long-term, the council will investigate ways of charging landlords for waste collection during the annual "change-over" period, when thousands of students leave the area and streets are often clogged with dumped rubbish.

The landlord accreditation scheme and statutory licensing could be changed to improve standards of security for student homes.

Coun Gruen, who will be writing to all local community groups informing them of the project, said: "When the people of Hyde Park came to our council meeting and pleaded for help it was clear that this was a call we could not ignore.

"Hyde Park is a unique neighbourhood, but with that comes unique problems. While it is known as an area popular with students, there is still a large and vibrant population of permanent residents.

"People who live in an area know what's best for it, so the new management board will have people from the community who can work with us to make sure this produces long-term change for Hyde Park.

"We want to harness the enthusiasm all residents, permanent and temporary, have for living in Hyde Park and get people to work together to improve Leeds' most densely populated neighbourhood."

Local Labour councillor Gerry Harper said: "Everyone knows how tight resources are at the moment, but that doesn't mean the council can't make a positive contribution to local communities. This project is a great example of how we can do that."

Fellow Labour councillor Javaid Akhtar said: "These local people know their neighbourhood better than anyone and will play a vital part in helping us tackle the issues facing Hyde Park.

"Students also form a significant part of Hyde Park's population, and they too can make a huge contribution towards our efforts to make Hyde Park a place that they, like everyone else, are proud to call home."

Pride short amid the takeaways

Hyde Park residents say their streets are lined with "cheap and unhealthy takeaways, letting agents and boarded-up shop fronts" and that lack of pride is a problem.

A deputation to the council also claimed that different customs and lifestyles "can provoke high levels of tension".

A council report concluded that Hyde Park needed more help to bring lasting improvements.