Decision Session – Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency

Written Submission by David Alexander in respect of item 5, Public Realm – Service Developments

I had intended to register to speak hear today in response to both petitions presented to council totalling over 3000 signatures calling for the beck in hull road park to be reinstated to its former glory, unfortunately circumstances prevent me from been present to speak. Due to been in hospital to have a growth removed from my mouth, I was disappointed that permission to have someone read out my submission on my behalf was refused when it was allowed at full council meeting, (due to illness and speech impediment).

After reading the public Agenda 290425.pdf I am very disappointed that there is no reference to all the damage the beck has sustained as a result of what has been done to the beck.

I am further disappointed that there is also no mention about the walk along the beck earlier this year when Councillor Pavlovic, Councillor Baxter, Councillor Moroney, and a CYC Officer - Operations Manager (Strategy and Contracts), Public Realm, accompanied myself and another Officer to see the damage for themselves when Councillor Pavlovic and the Operations Manager both recognised the need for a professional surveyor to visit the beck and complete a report on the damage in time for this meeting.

To date I do not know if a surveyor was appointed or if a report has been submitted as promised.     It feels to me that I and the 3000 signatures on the petitions are been totally disregarded along with the wishes of past and present tang hall residents.

I have seen that attempts to hide some of the damage have been done but this will not stop further damage only slow it down.

How the beck was, lasted nearly 100 years with very few problems and minimal maintenance liability on CYC, but now is a total eyesore requiring regular attention and many costly repairs resulting from what has been done to the beck.

What has been done, is not what we was lead to believe was going to be done to the beck. The 2017 recommendations that we was expecting to happen seem to have been totally ignored. More than 90% of wildlife that can be seen without a microscope has been driven away.

Flood water retention has been severely lowered as seen earlier this year after one day of snow followed by rain resulting in the park been flooded backing up in to osbaldwick village causing flooding worse than seen in the 2015 floods, I fear that had we not had such a mild winter my home could have been flooded. What has been done to the beck has been done without any consultation with tang hall and surrounding residents or users of the park. This has seen a massive increase of a rat infestation in the beck and park during the summer, then when the rain comes forces them out of the beck in to resident’s gardens and homes.

I ask that no more work apart from urgent repairs to stop further deteriation of the beck is carried out without public meetings and consultation with residents on what is been done to our beck with what we want to be considered, we want the beck restored to its former glory so once again it can be enjoyed by residents and visitors. For the next 100 years.