Horsforth, let down by Leeds

Where are Health and Saftey when you need them?

2012-01-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

We have just had reported a second accident involving a partialy sighted Horsforth resident colliding with this road sign placed in the middle of the footpath on Town Street.

Well done Leeds!

Is it cheaper to keep paying compensation or to do the job right in the first place?

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone in Horsforth a really great Christmas time and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign throughout the year, we have achieved some fantastic results...

Every little bit helps!

2011-12-14T05:33:00.000-08:00

Before our email

After our email (better late then never!)

Back in January 2011 we wrote to railtrack asking them to tidy up some signage in Horsforth. We are delighted that they have responded so positively even if they are running a little late!

Thanks to all concerned, no thanks to our Councillors and Leeds City Council!

It is easy when you try!

2011-11-30T07:25:00.000-08:00

Before our email

After our email.....Simples!

A couple of simple emails to the owners of these premises resulted in a longstanding blight for local residents being cleared up recently.

We contacted the owners after being approached by local residents and were very impressed at the speed of response. Why could our Councillors not get this done for local residents?

Another great Victory for common sense!

2011-10-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

Before

After the Campaign!

We have campaigned for 17 months to get parking bays along the length of Troy Road to stop drivers having to park on the footpath every day.

At last Leeds City Council has succumbed to our demands and marked out bays, this solves the problem of inconsiderate parking and improves pedestrian safety!

A Victory for common sense and for Horsforth...

VICTORY!

2011-09-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

After seven months of campaigning the street voted "worse state of repair in Horsforth" has finally been resurfaced!

Local residents of Broadgate Drive are overjoyed by this recent development. "Thanks to the Horsforth, let down by Leeds Group I can now drive my car down my street without fear of damage again!" Said one email..

Why did it have to take so long?

Another great result for Horsforth

2011-09-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

A BIG thank you to Councillor Dawn Collins and her team from "Horsforth in Bloom" who following weeks of campaigning by the "Horsforth let down by Leeds" group took some direct action and cleaned and refurbished our signs!

Well done to all concerned. Finally we are getting some improvements....

Leeds City Council to continue funding for trade unions

2011-09-12T11:46:00.000-07:00

In this time of austerity can it be right for Leeds City Council to be funding trade unions?

Labour members voted against a Tory motion to cut the estimated £400,000 it costs Leeds City Council to support the work of 15 trade union conveners.

Yet they see fit to close care centres, libraries and old folks homes.

No wonder Horsforth never gets any new investment!

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/council_to_continue_funding_for_trade_union_activities_1_3757828

Horsforth is forgotten again!

2011-09-07T05:28:00.000-07:00

Yet again Horsforth is ignored! We have been campaigning for months to have the old and damaged signs that welcome visitors to our town replaced.

It seems that the City Council in Leeds has its own agenda!

Is it too much to ask for?

2011-09-07T05:10:00.000-07:00

We have received today a plea for help from local residents who live along Drury Avenue, having been refused any help by Leeds City Council.
All they asked for were litter bins and Dog waste bins for the playing fields! It would seem that the safety and well being of Horsforth residents is low on the Councils list of priorities!

Apparently there is not enough rubbish yet to justify a bin!

Horsforth In Gloom!

2011-08-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

We have just received this image from a Horsforth in Bloom representative, it shows the mess in Horsforth Hall Park caused by the lack of suitable waste bins!

Come on Leeds give us a chance, we are trying to make Horsforth special again...

Thanks for the contribution.

Yet another great result!

2011-08-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

All it took was one email from our group and this eyesore was cleared up. A big thank you to the owners.

Why could one of our Councillors not of done something? or are they above sending emails?

Come on Guys its easy when you try...

It would never happen in South Leeds!

2011-07-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

The image on the top was taken in Summer 2010 the one on the bottom is Summer 2011!

This is the first view of Horsforth as you enter Woodside, so come on Councillors. This is an easy one. Please do your job and get the grass cut....

Horsforth is becoming overgrown in some areas as this evidence proves. We pay our rates too!

Horsforth Gala

2011-06-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Annual Horsforth Gala was again a huge success with over 3,000 local residents attending the event.

The only notable exceptions being our Liberal Councillors Cleasby and Townsley!

Special thanks must go to our new Councillor Dawn Collins for organising the event and our new M.P for officiating on the day...

Another great result for Horsforth!

2011-05-25T02:06:00.000-07:00

With the new administration now in place in Leeds and our new Councillor we are starting to see some changes. This group has been pushing for years for this public building on Broadway to be refurbished. At last we are being listened to. Thanks to all concerned!

2011-05-11T05:19:00.000-07:00

Before and after the Campaign!

Another great result for "Horsforth, Let down by Leeds"

We are pleased to report that after months of campaigning, Horsforth Town Council has funded the replacement of all of the damaged benches around the town. This is despite a lack of support from our City Councillors. Well done to all concerned!

...they are on the run!

2011-05-06T04:41:00.000-07:00

Breaking News, fresh from the Leeds City Council vote count where the old "Gang of Three" that have been letting Horsforth down for years got a real kicking!

Perhaps Horsforth will now get some decent representation from someone who is not there just for the money!

The results are...

Surname	Forename	Votes	Elected	Party name

ARBUCKLE	Kate	2466		Liberal Democrats

COLLINS	Dawn Julia	2680	ELECTED	Conservative Party [The]

HELLYER	Paul	421		United Kingdom Independence Party

SMITH	Andrew	164		Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts

WILKINSON	Robert Paul	2213		Labour Party [The]

Snouts in the trough!

2011-04-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

We have just been sent the figures for last years expenses and allowances claimed by our three local Councillors....

In a time of cut backs to local services and austerity it seems that one of our Councillors thinks it does not apply to him!

Totals claimed 12 months to March 2010

Barker £14,707

Cleasby £19,477

....and the winner this year of the "because I'm worth it " award is....

Townsley with a whopping great £23,651!!!

.....and the Winner is!

2011-02-21T06:59:00.000-08:00

Following our recent competition to nominate the street in the worst state of repair in Horsforth we can announce the winner!

Broadgate Drive with 127 nominations! Truly "Forgotten by Leeds"

Keep your nominations coming to-

bobhorsforth@rocketmail.com

New Action Group in Horsforth

2011-01-25T09:11:00.000-08:00

One of our members was so frustrated with being ignored following repeated contacts with Leeds City Council that he has set up his own action group.
Jonny is looking for volunteers to work with him to tidy up the Leeds City Council owned Hawksworth Woods which have become an eyesore over recent years.
The Horsforth Community Environment Action Group can be found on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_173416942702107&notif_t=group_activity

Survey Result

2011-01-25T09:04:00.000-08:00

Following on from the recent request by Leeds City Council to survey our members on their preference for the Library's new opening hours on a Sunday. The results were as follows-

Of the 273 votes cast...

189 said 12pm until 4pm
84 said 11am until 3pm

I will forward this information to Leeds City Council, lets see if they are listening!

Fantastic News for the Campaign....

2010-12-21T05:34:00.000-08:00

We have just received confirmation that Councillor Andrew Barker (above right) has lost his attempt to be re-selected as the Liberal Democrat Candidate for Horsforth.
This group has campaigned tirelessly for change and understands that our activities played a major part in his de-selection.
Councillor Kate Arbuckle a popular local activist is to contest the seat.

In the 12 months to 31st March 2010 Andrew Barker claimed £14,707 in allowances...

More Sleaze...

2010-10-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

Just read this in the Times on line...

Among Britain’s most well-travelled council officials is Brian Cleasby ( Horsforth Lib Dem), the former lord mayor of Leeds. Although his home city is 200 miles from London, Cleasby and four officials flew to Beijing in December 2007 to explore the possibility of setting up a pre-2012 training camp in Leeds. The trip, which included a civic visit to Hangzhou, cost £5,800; Cleasby flew business class while the other officials slummed it in economy.
Two months earlier, taxpayers stumped up £4,832 for Cleasby and his wife, Jo, to fly business class to Durban, the South African city that is twinned with Leeds and renowned for its warm climate and surf.
Cleasby, 71, whose term as mayor expired last year, admitted the flights to China and South Africa were expensive. He blamed council officials for booking late, claiming that up to £2,000 could have been saved by shopping around. However, he insisted it was right that he should have travelled in business class.
“I think, given the level of the importance of the lord mayor in the city, it is not excessive,”

That money could of been used to improve our roads and clean up Graffitti!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article5439831.ece

Time for a change!

2010-10-15T06:20:00.000-07:00

I heard a leak last night that the incumbent Leeds City Councilor for Horsforth, Andrew Barker has been de-selected by the local party for next years elections!

Following an acrimonious meeting that has split the local party in two a popular and hard working local activist has been selected.

Perhaps this will mean that Horsforth gets some effective representation at last!

Come home and sort out Leeds for us!

2010-10-04T13:14:00.000-07:00

The former Foreign Secretary David Miliband who, although originally from London, attended Horsforth Newlaithes Junior School in the 1970s

Perhaps he will come back to his roots now having been beaten by the Unions and his little brother..

Another great result for our Campaign!

2010-10-04T13:02:00.001-07:00

Latest News! - We heard from a source within Horsforth Town Council that despite opposition from Leeds City Councillors, that they had voted unanimously to replace seven of the vandalised public benches across Horsforth.
This is a huge boost for the "Horsforth, let down by Leeds" action group and a kick in the teeth for Leeds!

New resource for Horsforth

2010-08-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

We have just been notified of a new resource that is available to all the people of Horsforth.

http://www.horsforthonline.com/

Breaking News!

2010-04-16T15:12:00.001-07:00

Watch our blog for some amazing information that has come to light as a result of a Freedom of Information request we made to Leeds City Council.

Rewarding Failure!!!!
I can now confirm that that our Councillors claimed allowances over the last three years to the tune of a staggering £191,434.

The following figures have been released by Leeds City Council-

Name	2009	2008	2007	Total

Barker	14,438.00	13,958.00	13,137.00	41,533.00

Cleasby	20,808.00	30,548.00	31,442.00	82,798.00

Townsley	23,218.00	22,479.00	21,406.00	67,103.00

Total	60,473.00	68,993.00	67,992.00	191,434.00

Highways Dept refuse to clean offensive sign

2010-04-03T16:05:00.001-07:00

Several members of our campaign group have been in direct contact with the Highways Department at Leeds City Council to get this offensive sign outside Broadgate Primary School cleaned.
They refuse to do so blaming budget cutbacks!
It would of been cleaned already in South Leeds...

We have touched a nerve!

2010-03-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

It would appear that our campaign has touched a nerve!

The Rawdon residing Councillor for Horsforth has attacked our campaign in this months Horsforth Life

http://issuu.com/northleedslife/docs/horsforth-march-10?viewMode=presentation&mode=embed

It would appear that the effectiveness of our campaign is causing some discomfort to our elected representatives...

Keep up the good work everyone, we are getting results!

Another great result for the Campaign

2010-02-27T15:17:00.000-08:00

Following our recent high profile articles in "Horsforth Life" magazine and the Yorkshire Evening Post we are pleased to announce that Horsforths worst stretch of road has finally been repaired. This road has been responsible for claims worth £1,000s of pounds for vehicle damage over recent years and was highlighted as the worst in Horsforth on the Forgotten Horsforth website!
Yet another victory for the group...

A plea for common sense!

2010-01-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

We were contacted recently to attend a meeting for business owners and residents from Town Street. This was hosted by one of our Leeds City Councillors (must be an election due!)
The main subject discussed was the lack of suitable parking on Town Street, however it was agreed that it would make good sense to allow visitors to use the Council owned Clinic Car Park at weekends.
Why then is this sign still on display 3 months later?

Who is watching over us?

2010-01-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

Certainly not Leeds City Council! This seating area at the busy Old Ball roundabout is directly under the gaze of the CCTV cameras that we fund each year with our rates. How is it that the vandals can spray graffiti with impunity?
Are they not working?

Councilor says there is no problem!

2009-11-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

According to our Councillor there is not a problem! There is none so blind that will not see...
Perhaps he should move to live in Horsforth and then he will know what we mean by "Forgotten Horsforth"

http://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/4532029.Pictures_of_Horsforth__potholes__posted_online/

Quote..
“Obviously I can not go around inspecting every single road in the town but if there is a problem I would hope people would come to me about it."

"there was little that could be done"

Council owned premises worst of all!

2009-11-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

To the shame of Leeds and our elected representatives, even Council owned properties are run down and left in ruin.

We have touched a nerve!

2009-11-14T09:19:00.000-08:00

Follow this link to see some of the reaction we have been getting from our elected representatives in Leeds!

http://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/4532029.Pictures_of_Horsforth__potholes__posted_online/

I understand that the Councillor being quoted does not even live in Horsforth!

Welcome to Horsforth!

2009-11-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

This is the very first thing that visitors to Horsforth see when crossing the boundary from Leeds.

Victory for the Group!

2009-11-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to report that following extensive media reporting of the "Forgotten Horsforth" website that the footpath along the length of Low Lane has now been repaired.

Also the roundabout at Woodside is to be repaired too!

Thank you to the hundreds of people who have contacted me with offers of support and encouragement.

At last Leeds is starting to listen to us...

There is so much more to do!

Leeds is the worst!

2009-11-14T08:42:00.000-08:00

Leeds City Councillors waste over £10 million which could be used for fixing footpaths!

Follow this link for the proof ...

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Uneven-pavements-cost-Leeds-10m.5582618.jp

The worst in the Country, our Council should be sanctioned for this waste!

There is no area of Leeds more let down than Horsforth, this problem would not be tolerated in Wetherby or Collingham...