Please find below the latest Council update:
Good afternoon
West Yorkshire Investment Zone
The Leeds Innovation Partnership has welcomed news that West Yorkshire is to be home to the country’s third Investment Zone, boosting the city’s ambition to deliver innovation that creates a healthier, greener and inclusive future for Leeds, the region and across the globe. The investment in digital and healthtech will accelerate plans for the Leeds Innovation Arc, kickstarting the development of the Innovation Village on the Leeds General Infirmary site with the refurbishment of the Old Medical School to create a healthtech innovation hub. Co-locating entrepreneurs, businesses, clinicians and academics in this way will help deliver the first phase of development of the 12.5-acre site, including delivering 4,000 new jobs and an up to £13bn economic boost for the region.
Housing Leeds – Leeds Homes update
Housing Leeds are changing the way Leeds City Council and Housing Association properties are advertised. Currently, our available homes are advertised on the Leeds Homes website on a weekly basis with new properties available for bidding each Wednesday until the following Monday. From 15th November 2023, newly available homes will be added on a daily basis, with bidding open for each property for a full seven days. This change is aimed to support increased choice for customers on a weekly basis, extend the time a property is open for bidding, improve flexibility and reduce rent loss on our available homes. Customers seeking rehousing continue to be advised to check the Leeds Homes website and bid for suitable properties on a frequent and regular basis; customers who prefer do this on a weekly basis are advised to do so on the same day each week to ensure they capture all available homes. Customers remain able to bid on three LCC properties and three Housing Association properties each week. Some properties will continue to be advertised on a ‘fast track’ basis and may close prior to the seven-day advertising cycle. Further information and guidance with FAQs is available via the Leeds Homes Website at www.leedshomes.org.uk. For any further queries on the introduction of any day advertising please contact Vicki Hooper at [email protected].
Connecting Leeds Update
As part of the Leeds Christmas Markets this year (running from 24th November to 22nd December), newly pedestrianised spaces like City Square being used for the festivities. Work to transform the city centre into a safer, more car-free environment for people to enjoy means that it may look a little different for travelling in and around Leeds over winter. Find out how to plan your journey when travelling by public transport, using the Park & Ride, cycling or driving, over on the Visit Leeds website. Stourton Park & Ride will have extended hours for the Christmas Markets meaning it's even easier to drop off the car and hop on the Park & Ride after work and on weekends. Stourton will run regular services from 7.00am to 9.00pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sundays. Find full timetables for Stourton Road Park & Ride here.
Local and National developments:
- Housing Leeds send regular email updates to tenants, sharing key messages about their service and other help and support available. A copy the of latest update, shared with tenants on 19th November, is available to view here.
- Further action is being taken to tackle anti-social behaviour in Leeds city centre with the renewal of a Public Spaces Protection Order. Full information can be found here.
- The Festive Waste and Recycling collection arrangements are now available and can be found here.