The latest Council update is below:
Welcome to the latest bulletin with news and updates from across the city. There is news on the Healthy Holidays programme, Christmas and New Year Bin Collections, and Connecting Leeds along with local developments.
Healthy Holidays 2025 Schools & Third Sector Applications Now Live
Applications are now open for schools and Third sector organisations to take part in the Healthy Holidays programme in 2025. The Healthy Holidays programme provides engaging, fun activities and healthy food for children eligible for free school meals in the Easter, summer, and Christmas school holidays.
- Third sector applications close on 6th January 2025 and applications can be made here.
- Schools' applications close on 16th January 2025 and applications can be made here, with guidance document here.
Please note that there has not been an announcement by the Dept. for Education regarding the funding for the Holiday Activity and Food programme in 2025 (locally named Healthy Holidays). We would not usually start applications until funding is fully confirmed, however, Leeds City Council & Leeds Community Foundation are starting the process at risk for all Healthy Holidays schemes, so that if funding is allocated, we are ready to deliver projects in the Easter holidays 2025. For more information, please email [email protected].
Christmas and New Year Bin Collections
The bin collection days will change from Sunday 22nd December until Sunday 5th January.
- All households will receive a leaflet with information (copy attached).
- Our eight household waste and recycling centres are open through the winter, only being closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day - see www.leeds.gov.uk/recycling.
- Residents can still check their bin collection dates online at www.leeds.gov.uk/mybinday or by downloading the Leeds Bins app.
- We are urging residents not to forget to green bin their glass or take any excess bottles to the nearest bottle bank. For more info, see here.
Connecting Leeds
- Woodhouse Lane Gateway consultation remains open until 16th December. The proposals aim to improve journeys for people walking, cycling and using public transport along a 2km route which connects the city centre to three of the city’s universities – the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, and Leeds Arts University - as well as leisure and hospitality businesses such as The Light, Merrion Centre and St John’s centre. The plans include: two-way segregated cycle track along the whole route; upgraded bus waiting areas, with improved bus shelters; wider pavements, new public spaces, trees and greenery; new signalised crossings for pedestrians and cycle users; and simplified junctions to ease congestion and help bus reliability. To have your say on the designs please click here (consultation closes Monday 16 December).
- Magical Leeds Christmas: The beloved Christmas markets have returned to Leeds and will be open until Sunday 22nd December. Get into the Christmas spirit by visiting a whole host of food, drink and craft stalls dotted across the city centre. View Visit Leeds' handy guide showing all the market stalls on offer and read more about travelling into the city centre this Christmas. Don't forget you can choose from three park and ride sites and enjoy smooth journeys to the city centre.
- Plan ahead in the run-up to the Festive Period: With Christmas around the corner and festivities taking place, be sure to plan your winter journeys ahead this festive season. When driving into the city, you can make use of the inner ring road, accessed from junction two and four of the M621. Find out more here.
Local developments:
- Construction of a ground-breaking scheme to protect Leeds from extreme flood risk is complete. After more than a decade of work and an investment of £200million including the use of state-of-the-art engineering and infrastructure, the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme led by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency offers dedicated flood defences to help protect more than 4,000 homes and over a thousand businesses along the River Aire catchment in Leeds and neighbouring communities. It will also help protect more than 33,000 jobs in Leeds alone. Further info can be found here.
- New cycling signage is being introduced in the city centre to discourage unsafe cycling in pedestrianised areas, by asking cyclists to dismount at busy times, to make the city’s key shopping streets feel safer. Further info can be found here.
- Leeds City Council’s commitment to delivering high-quality homes for local communities has received national recognition at this year’s UK Housing Awards. Further info can be foundhere.
I’d like to finish by paying tribute to the achievements of Alistair Brownlee, who recently announced his retirement from Triathlon. Alistair has been an exceptional ambassador for the city, demonstrating his ability and hard work on the international stage with 2 Olympic Gold Medals, 2 Golds and a Silver at the Commonwealth games, amongst many other medals. Alongside his brother, Jonny, they have left a lasting legacy through the University of Leeds’ Brownlee Centre (the UK’s first purpose-built triathlon training centre); and their work at the Brownlee Foundation, a charity aiming to inspire children from all backgrounds to take up the sport.
