LEEDS CITY COUNCIL TO WORK WITH LOCAL RUNNING CLUBS

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Leeds City Council met on 5 February.

Two specific suggestions were agreed by the Committee. Firstly we would support the formation of a forum comprising representatives of local running clubs, with whom the Council could consult. We would ask that officers make contact with Bob Jackson (Valley Striders Running Club), Colin Morath (Abbey Runners) and Bob Foulkes (Horsforth Harriers) to progress this.

Secondly we would support the idea of the Council publishing details of local running events on its website. Again we would recommend that officers make contact with Mr Jackson to progress this.

We are of the view that implementation of the above recommendations would aid communication and co-ordination between the City Council and the running community.

Finally, the Scrutiny Board (Culture and Leisure) should involve itself in the discussions around the future of the event beyond 2009.

These recommendations have all been agreed.

Representatives of running clubs and road/trail/fell races held their first meeting on Monday June 16.

This group is called the Leeds Endurance Athletics Forum

Topics discussed were

• Introduction (Bob Jackson)
• Leeds Athletics Development Group (Paul Moseley)
• Clubs
  • Club Contact List
  • Club mark for Clubs without junior runners
  • Grants for coaches and equipment
  • Partnerships of clubs (Peter Rawnsley)
  • Leeds 4 year plan
  • UK Athletics club registration
  • Publicity / Promotion
  • Races
• Race Contact List
  • Race diary (to avoid clashes)
  • Event Organisation
  • Police safety requirements
  • Highways costs
  • Shared equipment (clock, PA, stakes, bibs etc)
  • Grants for equipment
  • Marshal accreditation
  • Publicity / Promotion
• Leeds Half Marathon