About
Leeds
Leeds
A publication jointly produced by Leeds City Council and NHS Leeds | Spring 2012 | www.leeds.gov.uk/aboutleeds | www.leeds.nhs.uk
COUNCIL TAX
JOBS
Picture coutesy of Jeff Rasansky
The local authority has opted to continue the freeze on the council element of the council tax bills for 2012/13. That means the bands for the council tax bills – including the police and fire authority levies – are: A - £870.93 B - £1,016.08 C - £1,161.25 D - £1,306.40 E - £1,596.71 F - £1,887.02 G - £2,177.33 H - £2,612.81 These figures exclude parish amounts.
Clockwise, from top left, LEEDS ARENA: will boost the city’s economy by £25.5m per year. QUALITY CARE: looking after the elderly is a priority. ACE APPRENTICE: Oliver Neal is one of many fulfilling their potential. GOOD HEALTH: children are being encouraged to walk, scoot or cycle to school; British race walker Tom Bosworth with Adel school pupils. Centre: the State of the City Report
SAVINGS AND INCOME Our savings measures include: n Cuts to staffing costs by £9.7m in 2012/13 n £6m savings in transport, procurement and contracts n Income generation across services of £7.8m n Working with other councils and groups to provide joined-up services n Continued freeze on staff pay and councillor allowances n Reducing the number of council buildings with more efficient use of premises n Greater collaborative working between council departments.
Job creation and opportunities for young people is key to Leeds’ success. Highlights include: n £1.75m for new projects – including the creation of an Apprenticeship Training Association with Leeds City College n £200m long-term capital investment in major projects, such as Leeds Arena and Trinity Leeds shopping centre, building programmes and road maintenance. This is to create an estimated 3,000 jobs n £15m to support innovation and economic initiatives n £100,000 to encourage the city’s top firms to promote jobs and skills.
Balancing the books INNOVATION, enterprise and creativity are at the heart of an annual budget designed to save a further £55.4million in Leeds. The reduction comprises of £26.4m less funding for Leeds, plus £29m of further cost pressures as demand rises for vital services, such as social care. Protecting the vulnerable – especially the young and elderly – and promoting jobs, apprenticeships and economic growth are Leeds City Council’s key priorities. That means limiting price rises and cuts to frontline services, as well as an overall spending increase of £18.6m for children’s services and adult social care. Looking to the Jobs panel, top right, illustrates our commitment to developing economically as a regional capital. Together these priorities are central to Leeds achieving its aim of being the best city in the UK. Also important to Leeds over the next
year is a pledge to keep communities safe and clean, protect the voluntary sector and embrace the Olympics. For this, an extra £500,000 will be spent over three years to tackle derelict and nuisance sites which blight local communities. Funding levels for police community support officers will be maintained, while the Leeds Burglary Reduction Programme is to be developed further and £25,000 will go to new CCTV cameras in Chapeltown and Hyde Park. The local voluntary sector will benefit from an additional £250,000, while we will commit £180,000 to Olympics activities in Leeds in return for an expected £300,000 for hosting international teams alone. Elsewhere on this page you will see panels explaining how we are making savings, and what our council tax bands are. The savings follow a year in which reductions of £90m have been made in 2011/12.
While the council has made lots of painful decisions, it is only going to get tougher in the years to come. The budget follows massive, city-wide consultation and recognises the changing role of local government. No longer simply a service provider, the council will be a galvanising force providing leadership by bringing business and society together in a spirit of civic enterprise. A good example is the broader range of services being offered to older people in Leeds through neighbourhood networks. By using social enterprise and community resources, places such as Gipton, Beeston and Armley are benefiting from a more personalised service they can control. In this vein, we also highlight the State of the City project for Leeds and our prominent role in the Commission for the Future of Local Government. State of the City involves the council
tackling Leeds’ biggest issues alongside the NHS, police, Chamber of Commerce, voluntary groups, businesses and local people. Its first annual report can be seen via www.leeds.gov.uk, searching ‘State of the City’. Nationally, Leeds is taking a lead on advocating civic enterprise with a prominent role in the Commission for the Future of Local Government. The commission sees Leeds join up with other local authorities and national experts to spearhead creative ways of providing quality services and economic growth. The leader of Leeds City Council is chairing the commission, which includes national figures such as Lord Laming, Will Hutton, Lord Adebowale and Dame Jo Williams. The commission reports its findings later on this summer. For more on the commission, visit www. civicenterpriseuk.org or follow @civic_uk on Twitter.
2 About Leeds Leeds City Council section Spring 2012
www.leeds.gov.uk
Recycling targets: put more in green bins, less in black LEEDS is looking to increase its recycling targets. The council is on target to recycle half of the city’s waste by 2020. Figures for 2011 show Leeds is achieving an average of around 40 per cent, compared to 22.3 per cent in 2006/7 when existing targets were set. Now, we are looking at a new recycling target of 55 per cent by 2016 and as high as three-fifths in the longer term. Proposals include a pilot of fortnightly rubbish and recycling collections to encourage people to put more in their green bins and
Searching for stars in community RESIDENTS are urged to enter the Leeds Community Stars Awards 2012. It celebrates the hard work of individuals and projects in our communities. Entries are now open to the 150,000 residents living in a Leeds City Council home. Categories include resident of the year, best community initiative and most innovative project. Deadline for entries is 20 April. For more visit www. leedscommunitystars.org.uk.
This newspaper is published for the residents of Leeds. It is available in Braille, large print or audio tape. To contact the newspaper regards a council matter contact newspaper@leeds. gov.uk, 0113 395 0244 or About Leeds, Communications team, 4th Floor West, Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR. For more on the council visit www.twitter.com/ leedscc
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Helping tenants to find property
less in the black ones. A further 6,000 households may join our food waste collection scheme – residents on the Rothwell pilot recycled almost double that of Leeds households with standard bin services. Other proposals include widening garden waste collections to remaining suitable properties; boosting performance at household waste sites and assessing whether more materials, such as glass or textiles, should be collected for recycling. For more details on this visit www.leeds.gov.uk and search ‘waste strategy’.
SUCCESS: a waste officer with one of the food waste caddies used in Rothwell
A FREE new service has been designed to help tenants across West Yorkshire find affordable rental property. Let’s Help You was launched in January and helps tenants on availability, affordability and calculating housing allowance on postcodes locally. For more visit www.letshelpyou. co.uk or call 0113 815 2249.
Cut your fuel bills, wrap up for free HOMEOWNERS and people renting privately in Leeds can wrap up their homes for free and cut their fuel bills.
WARMER, CHEAPER: free cavity wall and loft insulation is on offer
In a bid to make Leeds’ homes warmer and cheaper to run, Wrap Up Leeds is offering cavity wall and loft insulation free of charge to the first 15,000 households that sign up. Figures from the Energy Saving Trust suggest a typical three bedroom semi-detached house could save up to £300 a year once insulated. A wrapped up home means you’ll use less energy to heat it so you’ll cut harmful emissions too which is great news for Leeds’ environment. Run by Leeds City Council and
Yorkshire Energy Services, Wrap Up Leeds is open to anyone who owns their own home or rents privately. Subject to a free technical survey, mineral wool will be injected into the gap between the external walls of your home while insulation can be laid in your loft. If you’ve already laid loft insulation, we may be able to top that up too. To organise a free survey contact 0800 052 0071 or enquiries@ wrapupleeds.co.uk. You can also visit www.wrapupleeds.co.uk The 0800 number is free from most landline providers, but may not be free from mobile networks. If you would prefer, please call Wrap Up Leeds on 01484 351779.
n JUST because a building is old or historically important doesn’t mean it can’t be green. That’s the advice of Low carbon heritage buildings: a guide, which helps owners of listed buildings, or who live in conservation areas, make their property more energy efficient. The guide takes you through a process which helps to reduce harmful carbon emissions, save energy and money while keeping what made it special in the first place. It is accompanied by five case studies looking at a cottage, mill, school, commercial building and gallery. It’s available from www. leeds.gov.uk – search ‘Low carbon heritage’.
Easing pressure on family finances THE council has chosen not to adopt new government-advised targets of raising housing rents, service charges and garage rents by nine per cent. Instead, Leeds is seeing a rise of 6.8 per cent to ease pressure on family finances. This move is combined with a commitment of an additional £16.3million of housing stock repairs amid a host of schemes helping Leeds residents.
An incentive scheme to free up larger family council properties has, for example, released close to 200 family sized properties in south Leeds, at the time of writing. Aire Valley Homes, who manage and maintain council properties on behalf of the council, have released 181 family homes, with 284 additional bedrooms, since the council-run scheme started in 2008. The majority of the released south Leeds houses were three-
bed properties –120. Already over three quarters of these properties have been re-let to people with the highest housing needs. The scheme is also proving a success in west Leeds, with six new modern two-bed council properties in Silver Royd Hill, Wortley. Housing contact details can be found on page 8 of the council’s section of About Leeds.
WORTLEY HOME: resident Carol Sharlotte and her daughter Venitta with dog Lucky
Leeds City Council section Spring 2012
URGENT: foster carers and adopters are needed
Wanted: safe and loving homes for children and young people in Leeds WE URGENTLY need foster carers and adopters to make a real difference to children and young people in Leeds. Leeds City Council has the fourth highest looked after children population – we arrange care and support for around 1,400 children and young people who have been separated from their birth families. Some of our children and young people will have experienced significant neglect or abuse. They need love, safety, security and stable homes where they can stay for a few days, weeks, months, years or longer as part of a family. We don’t have enough local authority foster carers and adopters to meet the needs of all these children. We really need to hear from you if you might be able to provide a home or a place to stay for a child, whether that be through short or long-term fostering, or
through adoption. Fostering and adoption can be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding: “Getting through to children and helping them heal is the real reward. For us it’s a family commitment because we feel we have lots to share.” ‘’We feel the support we received from our adoption worker was second to none. We found the process thorough in terms of the depth of work involved – for example, visits and paperwork. The end result has far exceeded any expectations we
CARE: we support around 1,400 children and young people
could have even dreamed about. We both said if we had known then what we know now, we would have started the process years ago. The love you feel is like nothing you could describe; our lives are now complete.’’ “Fostering is a great opportunity to assist children who really need lots of reassurance and support. It’s the joy of seeing relationships with children develop – the pleasure you get when you see a child settled and happy”. Depending on what kind of commitment you can make, you could offer: n Respite: Fostering for a specific short period of time, usually from a weekend to two weeks. Foster carers take children and young people while their short term or long term carers are unavailable, or to give them a break. n Short term: Short term fostering could be up to two years. Children in short term fostering placements need support un-
til they return to their families or move to longer term planned placements, including adoption. n Long term: Some children are unable to live with their birth families on a permanent basis. Long term fostering allows a child to grow up in a safe, secure environment, often until they reach their teens and leave care. n Planned short breaks: This provides help and support to children living at home with their families, with foster carers offering planned overnight or weekend stays. We have introduced a new payment for skills service providing a range of professional support, financial assistance and training for our foster carers, in return for the invaluable service and support you give to our children and young people. To see what you can give and what we offer in return, visit www.foster4leeds.co.uk or call 0113 247 7443.
About Leeds 3
All sorts of people can adopt: could it be for you? ADOPTION is about providing a permanent, safe and loving home for children who can’t live with their birth families. Adoption requires a lifelong commitment and when you adopt a child all rights and responsibilities for them transfer to you. In Leeds we have approximately 100 children with a plan for adoption under our care at any one time. These children live with foster carers while social workers and the courts make plans for their future. Most of them will be placed with a family on their own, but we also have a number of sibling groups of two children, three children and some groups of four children or more. Children can be any age, from babies upwards. All sorts of people can adopt. We welcome applications from people of all religions, races, genders and sexuality. We’re actively seeking adopters from all walks of life because the children we want to place for adoption are from lots of different family backgrounds – they have a wide range of needs and personalities. If you think you could give a child a loving home and family, visit www. adopt4leeds.co.uk
4 About Leeds Leeds City Council section Spring 2012
www.leeds.gov.uk
Master plan looks at future of rail travel PUBLIC transport in Leeds is to improve. Council and transport leaders are devising a master plan on the future of rail transport in Leeds and beyond. The aim is to secure the best possible facilities for the city’s train users – Leeds Station is used by over 100,000 people every day. Leeds City Council, Metro and Network Rail will work with business leaders to ensure a host of projects remain on track for success. Including, a new southern entrance to the city centre railway station. There’s also our bid to ensure Leeds is central to future Network Rail plans for east-west and north-south rail services. The joint-working approach comes as the government recently confirmed plans for a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham and its extension to Leeds and Manchester. The group will also work on how to best capitalise on the recently-confirmed electrification of the trans-Pennine rail track between the two big northern cities. n THE newly developed A65
SUCCESS: the national high-speed rail link will extend to Leeds
opens in July and on budget. The benefits for road users and residents are numerous: including quicker bus journeys – by six minutes – among the additional 276,000 public transport trips every year. There’s also six more pedestri-
an crossings, 11 new bus shelters with real time travel information and lane provision for cyclists. The development will also link with the planned new railway stations at Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge. The scheme has involved 5km
‘There’s a buzz around volunteering’ VOLUNTEERING numbers in Leeds have rocketed in the past two years. A two-year campaign saw the number of people volunteering rise by a quarter in 2010 and 20 per cent in 2011. In that time, 150 events have been attended by around 8,000 people. 2010 was designated as the Leeds Year of Volunteering, while the city embraced the European Year of Volunteering 2011 too. This campaign was led by Leeds City Council and Voluntary Action Leeds. VAL chief executive Richard Jackson said: “There’s a real buzz around volunteering in the sector, and people want to continue to see the kind of results that have been achieved.” The Volunteer Centre Leeds, in St Paul’s Street, is open five days per week and rated among
SOARING: volunteer numbers have rocketed since 2010
the best in the UK. For more visit www.val.org. uk/page/volunteering or call 0113 395 0405. n Leeds Vision Consortium are looking for volunteer befrienders to help people who are blind or partially sighted.
They say giving an hour per week or fortnight can make a big difference. Full training will be given, plus out of pocket expenses. For more contact 0113 386 2800 or leeds@ actionforblindpeople.org.uk.
of pipes for water and gas; 25kms of cables for electrics, lighting and telecoms; 1,000 new trees and two new 80,000 litre drainage tanks. For more on the A65 Kirkstall Road quality bus corridor scheme visit www.leeds.gov.uk and search ‘A65’.
Join the Citizens’ Panel JOINING the Leeds Citizens’ Panel gives you a say on local services and issues. Over 2,000 Leeds residents have signed up and already had their say. We’re aiming high, and want 6,000 members from all communities, to help build an accurate picture of what people in Leeds think and want. Topics may include environmental issues, health, and priorities for Leeds. You need to be aged 18 or over, live in Leeds and be happy to spend some time taking part in four to eight surveys per year – taking about 20 minutes each. You will also have the opportunity to join in discussion groups. In challenging times, it’s vital the council and its partners listen to your views if we are to make Leeds the best city in the UK. For more visit www.leeds. gov.uk/citizenspanel or contact citizenspanel@leeds. gov.uk or 0113 247 4610.
High flyer takes the reins of Marketing Leeds LEEDS has pulled off a real coup with the recruitment of Lurene Joseph. Lurene is the new chief executive of Marketing Leeds, the organisation who promote the city nationally and internationally. She arrives in April with a proven track record, joining us from the London Development Agency. In London, Lurene has boldly led many successful regeneration, skills and business projects with a focus for value for money. Before this Lurene has hit the heights with oil giant Shell and American electricity corporation TXU. She has previously sat on the boards of Crisis, a national homeless charity and Women Pioneer Housing Association. “The city is moving forward with a great ambition and there is huge potential here for investment and growth,” she said. Lurene’s appointment follows
Lurene Joseph
that of Andy Clarke, the Asda CEO is now also the chair of Marketing Leeds. For more visit www.marketingleeds.com.
www.leeds.gov.uk
50 NEW HEALTH VISITORS: more help on hand for improved family support
Children in Leeds get Early Start EXPERTS will be working more closely with children across Leeds, thanks to a new scheme. The Early Start programme brings health visiting and children’s centre practitioners together into new, locallybased improved teams. Fifty health visitors will be recruited over the next few years to work closely with GPs, child protection teams, midwives, schools, nurseries and the youth service. The first teams will be set up across east Leeds before being rolled out across the city by September. Children’s services director Nigel Richardson said: “It’s about ensuring services are streamlined rather than duplicated and that information is shared by all professionals who are working with children. “We want to deliver the right services which meet the needs of young children and families in Leeds.” For more visit www.thefamilyhubleeds.org.
Voice heard YOUNG people from Leeds will represent the city at the United Kingdom Youth Parliament. Once elected, the successful candidates will organise events, run campaigns, take part in debates and meet regularly with MPs and councillors. They will ensure the views of young people are listened to by decision makers. In Leeds there are four MYPs – members of youth parliament – with two deputies. For more visit www.ukyp.org.uk. You can also contact 01924 333 400 or dmitry.fedotov@youthassociation.org.
Leeds City Council section Spring 2012
About Leeds 5
Employment and training drive success A STAGGERING 375 apprenticeships have been created – after the council challenged local businesses to create 100 posts in 100 days. It’s part of a partnership drive on education, jobs and training for young people, which has seen over 4,000 young people starting an apprenticeship this year. Another initiative saw young people entering a competition to illustrate the benefits of Leeds Arena and Trinity Leeds. The winners – Antony Pearce, George Moore and Oliver Neal – won apprenticeships working on the flagships sites, getting their contracts and tools at the Leeds Apprenticeships Awards ceremony. The council is working closely
with businesses, schools and colleges to reduce the number of 16-24 year olds not in employment, education or training. Leeds Pathways offer a wealth of information on post-16 opportunities. This includes information about courses, schools, sixth forms, colleges, training and apprenticeships. It’s helpful to both young people, plus parents and carers. Visit www.leedspathways.org.uk for more information. For someone to talk to regards career options contact your school or college. Young people not in learning can get help from Connexions on 0113 220 4850.
AMONG THE WINNERS: Anthony Pearce, top and George Moore
Full attendance at school is priority PARENTS and pupils are being asked to aim for 100 per cent school attendance in 2012. Full attendance improves life chances and subsequent average earnings. Persistent absentees, meanwhile, are unlikely to achieve five A*-C grades at GCSE. That’s why full attendance is a priority of the Children and Young Person’s Plan, while more is being invested in attendance support services by Leeds City Council. Schools will do their utmost, offering advice and support to families, on top of help from other services. Ultimately, as a last resort, parents could face prosecution, fines or prison if they do not work to improve their child’s attendance. It is a myth that parents are allowed to take children out of school for a holiday of up ten days. The law says a head teacher may authorise a request for absence in exceptional circumstances only – parents should not
100 PER CENT: full attendance will benefit pupils
expect agreement. Jancis Andrew, children’s services lead for attendance, said: “From learning mentors to setting up a parent contract, from
parenting advice to family group conferencing, there are lots of different ways to help families.” There are many things parents and carers can do to encourage
their child. Tips include praise and rewards, arranging appointments before or after school, talking through a child’s worries and taking time each night to organise items needed for the next day. Try to implement no TV on school mornings and regularly check your child’s absence record and homework diary. It’s important you portray the school positively – an upbeat attitude will reflect on your child. Always contact the school before 9am on the first day your child is absent and help the child catch up on their work from the missed day. One school year at 80 per cent attendance equals eight whole weeks of lessons missed and, over five years, equals a whole year being absent! Concerned parents should contact their school or ring the council’s attendance helpline on 0113 214 6240. It may be something is happening in the family – such as a house move, parental separation, bereavement of behaviour problems.
6 About Leeds Leeds City Council section Spring 2012
www.leeds.gov.uk
© The Trustees of the British Museum
What’s on
Baby Bird I, 2008 Courtesy Gary Hume and Matthew Marks Gallery, New York
THERE are many attractions to enjoy in Leeds over the coming months. Here we provide a round-up of some of those on offer. The box office number for pre-bookings at the town hall and Carriageworks is 0113 224 3801. n Great Daffodil Appeal: Marie Curie’s biggest fund-raiser sees people give a donation and wear a daffodil pin in March. Funds help local terminally ill people get free care at home. Pins available from local stores, schools, and street collectors. www.mariecurie. org.uk/daffodil. To join a volunteer team of collectors call 01274 386192. n Music Centres: music lessons for all ages at nine centres across Leeds. Covers instruments, singing – many styles. £3.50 per half-hour. For more details, including dates, visit www.artformsleeds.co.uk/ musiccentres. n The Victorian Look Book: exhibition explores fashion and furnishings styles from 18371901. Runs until 31 January 2013, Lotherton Hall. Normal admission charge. www.leeds.gov.uk/ lothertonhall. n Pharaoh: King of Egypt: exhibition. Wonders of ancient Egypt as seen through over 130 objects. Runs until 17 June, Leeds City Museum. Free. www. leeds.gov.uk/kingofegypt. n Performance: Tales from Platform, Pitch and Podium: exhibition celebrates Leeds’ sporting success with great memorabilia. Runs until December. Abbey House Museum. n Gary Hume: Flashback:
artist’s earlier work exhibited. As featured in the Arts Council Collection. Runs until 15 April. Leeds Art Gallery n Silver 70s: exhibition of memorable decade inviting visitors into a typical 1970s house. Runs until 22 April, Leeds City Museum. Free. www.leeds. gov.uk/citymuseum. n Town hall tours: see the hidden, secret side of the Victorian civic building. 26 March, 23 April and 28 May, 11.30am and 2.30pm. £4, advance booking essential. www.leedstownhall. co.uk. Access to clock tower by stairs only. n 13th Leeds Young People’s Film Festival: presented by MediaFish young film collective, view some of the best new and unseen cinema for young people, plus workshops and masterclasses. 26 March-6 April. For more information visit www. leedsyoungfilm.com. n Bette and Joan: The Final Curtain: comic drama by Foresight Theatre, creators of Thatcher: The Musical, examines relationship between screen idols Davis and Crawford. 30 March, 7.30pm, Carriageworks. £11-£13. www.carriageworkstheatre.org. uk. n Easter events: a variety of Leeds museums and galleries are hosting Easter events during April. Includes trails, egg hunts, crafts, egg rolling and a murder mystery. Check venues for events, dates and times. www.leeds.gov.uk/ lothertonhall, www.leeds.gov.uk/ citymuseum, www.leeds.gov.uk/ templenewsamhouse, www.leeds. gov.uk/abbeyhouse and www.
Sandstone head of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II, 2055 - 2004 BC
COLOURFUL: Silver 70s
leeds.gov.uk/thwaitemills n Christy Moore: legendary Irish roots singer of 40 years-plus standing. 1 April, 8pm, Leeds Town Hall. £30-£32.50. www. leedstownhall.co.uk n Make a Bed: exhibition stories. 1 April, 10.30am-4.30pm. Temple Newsam. Drop-in event. The venue also runs Bedrooms trail at the same time. n Little Bo Peep: sheep lost, where to find them? Sea Legs Puppet Theatre show for families brings a host of nursery rhymes to life. 3 April, noon and 2.30pm, Carriageworks. £7.50-£9.50, £32 (family), aged two-seven. www. carriageworkstheatre.org.uk. n Victorian Tales and Crafts: Fun for family. 3 April, 10amnoon, 2-4pm. Also 5, 10 and 12 April. Same times. Lotherton Hall. n Make your own Historic Hats: family drop-in fun. 3-5 April, 11am-3pm. Leeds City Museum. n Underneath the Floorboards: Ballet Lorent’s family show is set in a magical world. 5 April, noon and 2.30pm, Carriageworks.
£11-£13, £40 (family), aged up to five. www.carriageworkstheatre. org.uk. n Experimental drawing workshop: with artist in residence Catherine Gray. Suitable for eight-plus. 5 April, 1-3pm. Temple Newsam. n The Elves and the Shoemaker: puppets and music reheel Ladybird classic. By Theatre Widdershins, who did Billy Goat’s Gruff previously. 7 April, noon and 2.30pm, Carriageworks. £7.50£9.50, £28 (family). www. carriageworkstheatre.org.uk. n Rhod Gilbert: comedian hosts The Man With The Flaming Battenberg Tattoo tour. 11-12 April, 8pm, Leeds Town Hall. £20-£25, aged 16-plus only. www. leedstownhall.co.uk. n European Union Chamber Orchestra: the sounds of Holst, Mozart and Haydn. 14 April, 7.30pm, Leeds Town Hall. £10£29. www.leedsconcertseason. com. n Nest box making: Family fun
IMPRESSIVE: from the Performance Sports exhibition
in bird garden, includes talk. 14 April, 11am and 2pm. Lotherton Hall. n Fever Pitch: play of Nick Hornby’s football-based work. By The Future is Unwritten. 19 April, 7.30pm, Carriageworks. £9-£11. www.carriageworkstheatre.org. uk. n Orchestra Opera North: part of Leeds International Concert Season (like European Union and Berlin Symphony). 21 April, 7.30pm, Leeds Town Hall. £12.50-£31.50. www. leedsconcertseason.com. n Discombobulated: Publick Transport comedy about stop and search experts. 21 April, 7.30pm, Carriageworks. £9£11, aged 12-plus only. www. carriageworkstheatre.org.uk. n The Harbour: Prague Fringe award-winning drama by Limbik. Fisherman brings sealwoman home. 24 April, 7.45pm, Carriageworks. £7-£9. www. carriageworkstheatre.org.uk. n Picture lending scheme: selection day allows borrowing of artworks to take home for just £4 per month, minimum loan three months. 28 April, 11am-3pm. Leeds Art Gallery. www.leeds.gov. uk/artgallery. n Fiona Rae – Future Worlds: first major solo show in a British public gallery includes unseen work from the Turner Prize nominee painter. Leeds Art Gallery. Runs 11 May until 26 August. n The Midnight Walk: highly popular ladies-only walk of six or 12 miles raises vital money for St Gemma’s Hospice. 12 May, from 8pm. Entry £15. 0113 218 5505, www.leedsmidnightwalk.co.uk.
www.leeds.gov.uk
Leeds City Council section Spring 2012
Plans are coming together for Breeze youth festival BREEZE International Youth Festival hits the streets 30 May to 10 June It features drama, music and dancing with performances and workshops for those aged up to 19. Highlights include a free open air concert in Briggate on 2 June and a ticketed event at The Carriageworks on 9 June. The annual event showcases Leeds’ best new talent and sees young people learn every aspect
of staging an arts festival. Other venues include The Grand theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Project Space Leeds and libraries. For more details visit www. breezeleeds.org/biyf.
ART ATTACK: Breeze is a hugely popular annual event
Chance to showcase creative talent MEMORABILIA: from the Performance Sports exhibition
n Berlin Symphony Orchestra: includes works of Weber, Schumann and Brahms. 12 May, 7.30pm, Leeds Town Hall. £12.50-£31.50. www. leedsconcertseason.com n Jane Tomlinson Leeds Half Marathon: 13.1-mile run is a huge fundraiser for Yorkshire hospices. 13 May, 9.30am. £22£24. 0113 216 2085, www.leeds. gov.uk/runleeds. n Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra: contains Mendelssohn and Beethoven. 19 May, 7.30pm, Leeds Town Hall. £16-£31.50. www. leedsconcertseason.com. n Night at the Museum Torchlight Tour: annual blackout behind the scenes jaunt. Bring your own torches. 19 May, 4.306pm. Leeds Museum Discovery Centre. Booking required. www. leeds.gov.uk/discoverycentre, 0113 214 1548. n Black Dyke Brass Festival: gala concert of brass music. 20 May, 3pm, Leeds Town Hall. £10£15. www.leedstownhall.co.uk. n Deli market: plenty of treats for visitors. 26 May, noon-4pm. Kirkstall Abbey. www.leeds.gov. uk/kirkstallabbey. n Armley Mills 30th Birthday Party: fun craft activities, old movies and more. 26 May, noon4pm. Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills. www.leeds.gov.uk/ armleymills n Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend: various community events around Leeds. 2-5 June. For more visit www.leeds.gov.uk searching ‘Diamond Jubilee’. Dates, time, prices and venues all correct at time of writing but please check with venue.
CREATIVE talent can benefit from a new cultural programme. Leeds Inspired is a cultural focal point, allowing pioneering groups or individuals to showcase their creative, arts or sporting talents. The council-run programme is based around an annual theme – the London 2012 Olympic Games being this year’s – alongside the broader idea of performance, creativity and excellence. Funding is available for good ideas. Applications started in January.
Leeds Inspired is the first attempt to focus all of our creative and cultural talent around a single theme. For more visit www. leedsinspired.co.uk or www. facebook.com/leedsinspired. You can follow via Twitter @ leedsinspired. n Photograph shows how the Olympics has inspired this programme. Pictured are Victor Minibaev and Ilya Zakharov, part of the Russia senior diving squad who have been training at the Aquatics Centre
Carry the card for discounts, special offers GET discounts and exclusive offers all year round with LEEDSCard. The discount membership scheme is the best in Leeds. It offers unrivalled, super deals for sports and leisure facilities, museums, theatres, eating out and shopping. Venues include Abbey House Museum, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Bella Italia and John Charles Centre for Sport, among dozens more. Signing up is simple and easy on the pocket. LEEDSCard costs just £7.50
per year for anyone aged 19-59. Those a little older can sign up to LEEDSCard 60 for a jaw-dropping £2 per year. It’s also only a couple of quid for LEEDSCard Extra or LEEDSCard Extra 60, which is open for people in receipt of benefits whatever their age. And if you are aged 18 or under, how about the city’s free leisure membership scheme Breezecard? Applications can be made via
About Leeds 7
www.leeds.gov.uk/leedscard. Hand your completed form in to any Leeds City Council leisure centre or selected library. You will need a recent passport-sized photograph. You can also apply by visiting the LEEDSCard team, who will take your photograph for free. They are based at the One Stop Centre, 2 Great George Street, in the city centre. Opening hours are MondayThursday, 8.30am-4pm and Friday 9.30am-4pm. You can call the team on 0113 224 3636.
RL World Cup brings boost LEEDS is an official host of the Rugby League World Cup 2013. The Headingley Carnegie Stadium will host a group match and a quarter final in the 14-nation tournament. Leeds will also be a base for two competing nations, with the John Charles Centre for Sport being used for training. The city’s bid – which was submitted by the city council, Leeds Rhinos and Marketing Leeds – was among four outstanding bids out of 34 submitted. It will boost our worldwide profile and generate more money for local hotels and training facilities, as well as bringing in additional spend from visitors. The Rugby League World Cup 2013 runs for six weeks during the autumn. For more visit www. rlwc2013.com.
KICK-OFF: Ralph Rimmer of the RFL is flanked by the Rhinos’ Gary Hetherington and Rob Burrow
8 About Leeds Leeds City Council section Spring 2012
www.leeds.gov.uk
Work on centre begins WORK on the state-of-the-art £27million Holt Park Active fitness and wellbeing centre has started, in readiness for a December 2013 opening. This ‘one-stop shop’ for all ages will be among the first in the UK, combining adult social care, youth and sports services under one roof. Based in Holtdale Approach, it will feature pools, multi-activity rooms, a café, Bodyline gym and older people’s hub, among other
PICTURE THIS: an artist’s impression of Holt Park Active Courtesy of Mentor
things. It will also help people with physical and learning disabilities, plus mental health problems, access personalised services. The project is overseen by Leeds City Council. It is funded through the private finance initiative and carried out by the Local Education Partnership and contractor Interserve Project Services Ltd. For more details visit www. leeds.gov.uk, searching ‘Holt Park Wellbeing Centre’.
How to handle adult autism A NEW strategy will raise awareness and improve the wellbeing of adults living with autism. The Leeds Adult Autism Strategy helps us all deal sensitively with needs and ensure appropriate support is in place. It’s a positive move as autism is a very misunderstood condition. Increasing numbers are being diagnosed but, in the past, adults with autism have consistently fallen through the gaps in the system. People with autism, carers, the NHS and voluntary sector will work alongside the council to make improvements in areas of health, social care, education, employment, the justice system, leisure and wider society. Sandie Keene, director of adult social services, said: “Organisations now recognise that autism
Paul Adderley, from Change – the Leeds-based national organisation led by disabled people – pictured launching the autism strategy
can be disabling, and staff require specific training in order to make sure the best possible outcomes
are secured for people living with the condition. “Allowing people to feel included and supported to participate fully in society is a priority for the council. “This strategy will encourage organisations to work together to enable people on the autistic spectrum to get the support they need so they can live their lives successfully and independently.” The National Autistic Society estimates that as many as one in a 100 people may be living with autism in the UK. In Leeds, a commissioning plan will be produced each year. It will track numbers, funding and quality of support. The Leeds Adult Autism Strategy is available from www.leeds. gov.uk, searching ‘autism’. Adult Social Care can be contacted on 0113 222 4401.
DIGNITY: the new Changing Places facility at the Gallery Cafe
Standards are improved PEOPLE with disabilities can now access 12 specialist toilets at popular Leeds locations. The facilities improve standards of dignity and comfort with specialist equipment – including a hoist and height-adjustable changing bench – and space to accommodate two carers. They can be found at The Whitehouse Café in Otley Chevin; Armley and Morley leisure centres; John Charles Centre for Sport; Headingley
heart centre; Tech North in Harrogate Road; Hillside Community Centre/Tiger 11; Lotherton Hall; West Yorkshire Playhouse; The Reginald Centre, Temple Newsam; plus Leeds Central Library and Art Gallery. Leeds City Council has signed up to a Mencap backed campaign promoting a network of Changing Places toilets across the UK. For more details visit www.leeds.gov.uk, searching ‘Changing Places’.
Contacting Leeds City Council Detailed information on all our services can be found at our website, www.leeds.gov.uk. If the service you require is not listed, please call our general enquiries number on 0113 222 4444. The council has many one stop centres. Contact them on general.enquiries@ leeds.gov.uk.
Adult Social Care Antisocial Behaviour Children and Young People’s Social Care Council Housing (for registration and bids) Council Tax and Benefits Customer Relations Electoral Services Environmental Services Highways Housing Options (for homelessness advice) Planning Registrars (for births, deaths, marriages) Minicom (for all services)
0113 222 4401 0113 222 4402 0113 222 4403 0113 222 4413 0113 222 4404 0113 222 4405 0113 222 4411 0113 222 4406 0113 222 4407 0113 222 4412 0113 222 4409 0113 222 4408 0113 222 4410
Housing repairs and tenant enquiries: Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (repairs) 0800 389 5503 (office hours) 0113 376 0499 (out of hours) bitmo-enquiries@belleisletmo.co.uk Belle Isle TMO (general) 0113 214 1833 East North East Homes Leeds 0800 915 1600 enehl.enquiries@enehl.org.uk Aire Valley Homes Leeds 0800 915 6660 avhleeds.enquiries@avhleeds.org.uk West North West Homes Leeds 0800 915 1113 wnwhl.enquiries@wnwhl.org.uk Emergencies outside of opening hours: Highways, street lights, signage and building repairs 0113 376 0499 Noise problems 0113 242 5841 Adult Social Care and Emergency Accommodation 0113 240 9536