Home
About us
Contact us
Hospital Watch

To view documents published on this site you need Acrobat reader. Download it free by clicking on the icon.

John Eveleigh's Manifesto for Otley

Transport

·        Lorry ban: I will continue to work with local groups to secure a ban on heavy lorries using Billams Hill and the town centre. As a member of SOOR and an elected councillor for Otley I will campaign within the City Council to use its powers to direct these vehicles on to more appropriate routes.

·        Roads and pavements: there must be more money spent on the road infrastructure in and around Otley. I will make it my priority to have the City Council mend and clear the many potholes and blocked drains all over Otley.

·        Restore local bus services: I will put pressure on Metro to restore and improve services over the next four years. Public transport must be a key part of solving the worsening traffic problems in Otley and addressing issues of climate change.

·        Road safety measures: I will continue to work with local people in assessing the need for road safety measures on the streets where they live. This has worked well in the Cambridge area of the town. Where appropriate I will work within the City Council to install traffic calming measures particularly where the safety of children is involved.

·        Bridge repairs: the bridge across the Wharfe is one of the jewels in the crown of our ancient town. If elected, I will undertake a proper public consultation which develops a community view on what should be done rather than the current, very limited, Lib-Dem council consultation on one option only.

 Local environment 

·        Litter and street cleaning: Leeds City Council has cut the street cleaning budget at a time when it’s clear that the town is looking dirty and uncared for. I shall campaign to have these cuts restored and then seek to work with local people in identifying areas of the town that need to be improved.

·        Planning regime for Otley: the local authority as power to shape local communities by effective use of the planning regulations. These should be used for the benefit of local people by, for example, calling on developers to share their plans for derelict sites with people in the town. If elected I will scrutinise with great care any application that has a major impact on the wellbeing of the people of Otley.

·        Transparency in decision making: as your elected representative on Leeds City Council I will undertake to improve the consultation undertaken by all departments of the council and other public bodies in any decision that affects Otley. Where necessary I will call public meetings to find out the views of local people.

·        Leeds Development Framework: I led the preparation of the local Labour party’s submission into the consultation process required for the Leeds Development Framework. This will be a key document for the future development of Otley and it is important for elected representatives to be fully involved in this process.

·        Climate change: if elected I will endeavour to set up a working party representing all parts of Otley to examine the likely impact of climate change on the town. I believe that political leadership in this area is vital for the future of our children.

 Children and Young People 

·        Youth facilities: whilst I support proper enforcement of existing laws on anti-social behaviour I am also behind the demand from local people that the services for children and young people should be improved. I would welcome the opportunity to work with local community groups and the Youth Service in providing services for this group.

·        Admissions procedures: whilst supporting a locally agreed and clear admissions system to local schools I am concerned that its strict application is throwing up anomalies that have to be addressed. If elected I would call for Education Leeds to review the impact of its procedures on families in the town. Local people should be able to contribute to that review.

·        Children's services: the new Children's Centre at Ashfield School is now up and running. I will work with Education Leeds, Social Services and early Years to ensure that their services are effectively promoted.

Click to learn more about local campaigner John Eveleigh  or read his message to Otley Residents