Leeds councillors round-up: Burmantofts parking, Pudsey park and Hunslet youths

There is light at the end of the tunnel for hundreds of long-suffering residents in Burmantofts, as a new parking scheme is finally set to get the go-ahead this month. Liberal Democrat councillors Richard Brett and Ralph Pryke (Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) have fought for years to secure funding for the £150,000 parking scheme on busy streets near St James' Hospital. The huge number of hospital staff and visitors parking on the residential side streets off Stoney Rock Lane has resulted in long standing problems for local people, who believe the safety of both drivers and pedestrians is being put at risk. Councillors have also expressed concern about the 'knock on effect' for Stoney Rock Lane itself, which is a busy bus route with two schools on it. Councillors Brett and Pryke are delighted that the much needed scheme is now getting under way. Most streets off Stoney Rock Lane that are not already part of a parking scheme will be included in the new scheme. Brett said: "This scheme is much needed by hundreds of residents who can't park their cars anywhere near their home. Councillor Pryke and I have fought hard for many years to get the funding for this and we are certain it will improve many people's lives." Youth club showcases talent A highly-acclaimed inner-city youth club will be showcasing their talents this Sunday in Middleton as part of a drive to raise the profile of the group. Members of Hunslet Club , which has been placed in the top six best youth service providers in the country, will be showing off their multiple skills in football, boxing and dancing in Middleton Park this Sunday between 2pm and 3pm. As well as getting a chance to see the boys and girls in action, visitors will also get the chance to enrol with the popular group, which currently has over 700 members. Labour Middleton Park councillor Kim Groves is encouraging young people in the local area to turn out to find out more about what the group has to offer. She said: "Hunslet Club has many really talented youngsters and so this will be a fantastic showcase of what the group has to offer to any young people from the area who are interested in joining." Local park to be given £10,000 facelift A small local park in Pudsey has this week been boosted by news that it is set to receive local funding to revamp its facilities. Sparrow Park, a small area comprising 19,000 sq ft, is located on the corner of Chapeltown and Carlisle Road in Pudsey. Plans have been unveiled by Parks & Countryside to spend £10,000 on refurbishing the parks grounds and gardens. The money, which has been raised by local development money, the Allotment Society, the Pudsey Civic Society and Pudsey in Bloom , will be used to redesign existing flower beds, lay new paved areas with seating and litter bins, and to create a brand new 'sensory' garden. Work on the park is set to begin in October this year with an expected completion date of March 2011. Labour Pudsey councillor, Richard Lewis , in welcoming the plans, has praised the contributions made by all the groups involved. He said: "It is great to see one of our smaller parks getting some much-needed funding so that it can be developed and maintained to a high standard, in line with our larger parks. "The refurbishment of Sparrow Park has come as a result of a great team effort with several local organisations contributing towards the cost of the work. It is fantastic that the proceeds from local building developments can be used to create and enhance much-needed pockets of green space for local people to enjoy. Cost of the project is £10,000. Breakdown of funding: £7,000 Section 106 monies from Leeds council, £1,000 Pudsey in Bloom, £1,000 Pudsey Allotment Society and £1,000 Pudsey Civic Society. Danger averted in Meanwood A dangerous situation is no longer posing problems for residents in Meanwood after combined efforts from the local community and councillors. Councillors Sue Bentley , Ben Chastney and Judith Chapman (Liberal Democrat, Weetwood) were delighted to secure funding from the council, for replacement fencing alongside Meanwood beck at the bottom of Highbury Mount. The rebuild turned into a fantastic community effort with volunteers replacing the fencing during early summer. The highway department then came to make the uneven path level. After old fencing fell into the beck leaving a drop of several metres, councillors feared having no fence may have been disastrous, particularly for young and elderly residents who could have fallen into the water. Bentley said: "We would like to thank the resident who alerted us to this danger, and volunteers, who took part in such a great community effort, for putting up the fencing and making this a safer area." MP backs by-election candidate Bradford East's new Liberal Democrat MP David Ward is supporting Liberal Democrat Cindy Cleasby in the council by-election in Guiseley and Rawdon on 14 October. "Cindy is a dedicated and effective worker for her local community, she will make a terrific councillor. I will be heading over to Guiseley during the campaign to offer my support too." What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below. You can find out more information about Leeds Council and your local councillors at Openly Local . You can email issues to your local councillor via the My Society section on our homepage . Or you can report local problems through our Fix My Street section here .