Please find below the latest Council update including summer activities for children.
Update on Harehills incident
An update can now be shared in relation to the incident last Thursday in Harehills. Whilst the incident has attracted significant media attention and the scenes we all saw were shocking, it is important to stress there was no physical injury caused and no businesses or buildings targeted, although those closely involved were clearly impacted. You may have seen the joint statement issued last Friday by the council and Romanian and Roma communities. West Yorkshire Police also issued a statement covering their policing approach in response to the incident.
The situation in the locality has calmed, with council and community buildings open and services operating.
Connecting Leeds update
- Mass transit: Have your say on phase one route proposals - The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has launched its public consultation into phase one of its proposed mass transit scheme, asking for views on a choice of proposed route options connecting St James' Hospital with South Leeds and Leeds city centre with Bradford. The delivery of mass transit for the city and the wider West Yorkshire region is supported because of the transformational role it will play in improving connectivity, delivering inclusive growth, boosting the economy and bringing people within easier reach of jobs and opportunities. As the largest city in western Europe that does not currently have a mass transit system, it is important that everyone has their say on these initial options so that the preferred routes put forward by the Combined Authority next year are the right ones for our communities. You can learn more about the proposals here.
- Plan ahead: Major highways work over the summer holidays - Significant disruptive works are being carried out around the Armley Gyratory, Stanningley Bypass (A647), and the Outer Ring Road A6120 Horsforth to Rodley route during the summer holidays. These works are timed to minimise disruption, but road users are being encouraged to plan their journeys in advance. Armley Gyratory's Wellington Road (A58) footbridge will be removed week commencing 22nd July. The road will be closed from 8pm Saturday 27th July and will re-open by 5am Monday 29th July. From 22nd July there will be permanent inbound and outbound lane closures on Wellington Road, until the scheme completes. This is the third and final footbridge around the Gyratory to have new wider and more accessible footways, after Gelderd Road and Spence Lane. There is more information about the works here and here.
- Consultation: A64 bus priority corridor project - Public engagement is taking place on proposals from Leeds City Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, to improve walking, cycling and taking the bus along the A64. Full details can be found here.
- New York road tunnel reopens ahead of schedule - Essential maintenance work on the New York Road Tunnel, initially set to be completed in the autumn, has finished ahead of schedule. Leeds City Council, in partnership with Balfour Beatty, has replaced 27 bridge bearings on the New York Road flyover, ensuring the structural integrity and long-term serviceability of this crucial section of the Leeds inner ring road.
The Director of Public Health’s 2023 Annual Report - Ageing Well: Our Lives in Leeds
The voices of people in their later life have been captured as part of an in-depth report into how people are ageing in Leeds. The importance of social connections, keeping active and addressing poorer health outcomes in the city’s most deprived areas, are among the main findings and recommendations of the Council’s Director of Public Health Annual Report, which this year saw over 900 people aged over 50 surveyed for their experiences, as week as 150 professionals. The report combines survey responses with data and trends on factors impacting ageing. It builds on the Council’s aim to be the best place to grow old and its long-standing commitment to being an Age Friendly City and outlines recommended actions to help people increase the number of years spent in good health. You can read more here.
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment now published
Every three years we produce a headline analysis of the city – the Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA). While primarily geared towards informing health and wellbeing strategy and planning, it is also just a good overview of the state of Leeds and summarises a range of key issues which affect people across their lifetime. You can find the latest data on poverty and inequality, education and health outcomes, air quality, housing delivery and energy efficiency and much more and can be found on the Leeds Observatory here: https://observatory.leeds.gov.uk/jsa2024/.
Summer activities for children and families
- The Child Friendly Guide to Summer in Leeds is the ultimate guide of the best places to visit, whether it’s days out, days in, or new experiences for children and families. You can access the guide here.
- The city’s annual Breeze in the Park, with 25 interactive play days taking place over the summer holidays. Full details are here.
- Over the summer holidays, children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can access a range of activities and a meal, free of charge as part of the Healthy Holidays programme. A new website together Healthy Holidays activities across the city is now available for parents/carers to browse and book onto events. Parents/carers can access support to register from their local community hub or library. The link to the website is here.
- Monopoly Leeds Takeover is a first of its kind city-wide version of the iconic board game. This free, family-friendly, immersive experience brings the best-selling property trading game to life, using key locations and landmarks as the gameboard with life-size tokens, clues and puzzles around every corner. Find out more at https://monopolyleeds.com/.
Leeds International Festival of Ideas
Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2024 (LIFI24) is now in its fourth year promoting the very best of ‘brand Leeds’ to the UK and world beyond. The programme brings together 30+ incredible speakers, across 10 events, over 4 days, at the legendary Leeds Playhouse in October. Following last year’s sold-out festival, we will be joined by the most influential thought leaders, writers, academics and professionals from across the UK and globe, alongside celebrity experts Professor Tim Spector, music legend Nile Rodgers, Carol Vorderman, Stacey Dooley, Kate Garraway, Goldie, Rylan Clark, Kate Adie, Self Esteem and Matt Wills from the band Busted. The mixture of keynote and panel discussions will tackle some of the most important social issues of today and present inspiring, thought-provoking, and uplifting perspectives on how we can all make the world a better place and put Leeds more boldly on the map as a place you want to be. Tickets are available via www.leedsinternationalfestival.com and are priced at only £10 and £15 thanks to LIFI24 being a major project created, delivered, and funded by LeedsBID. You can keep up with all the latest news on the festival across social media via #leedsintfest.
Local developments:
- The council has been named one of the most inclusive employers in Britain, securing a spot in Stonewall’s Top 100 list for leading LGBTQ+ inclusive employers and a gold ‘Children and Young People Services (CYPS) Champions’ award. More information can be found here.
- A collection of vintage sailor suits will be explored in a workshop at Leeds Discovery Centre on 31 July. Full details here.
- The Leeds West Indian Carnival is set to return to Leeds on August bank holiday weekend. Full details here.
- Cost of Living Monthly Bulletin – July edition is now available on the Leeds Observatory here.
- July edition of Housing Leeds monthly email updates to tenants is available to view here.
- Leeds came together for Pride last weekend, with over 50,000 people attending. Full details here.
- A former factory site in Armley is set for a new lease of life as 50 high-quality affordable homes. Full details here.
- Innovative plans to transform home care have been unveiled and will be piloted across Bramley, Stanningley, Armley, Farnley and Wortley over an 18-month period. Full details here.
- Seven Leeds parks and green spaces have been recognised as some of the best in the country with a Green Flag Award. Full details here.
- Leeds pays tribute to Rob Burrow. Nearly 200 people gathered recently for a civic event celebrating the late Leeds Rhinos rugby legend’s achievements. Full details here.
