NEWS

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South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The website and newspaper are produced by South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House, No 9998695. South Leeds Life is a member of the Independent Community News Network.

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Senior Councillors approve missing link cycle routes in South Leeds

Building on the transport conversation in previous years and the extensive work completed in the city centre over the past 12 months, senior councillors in Leeds have approved additional work to improve cycling links in and around the city centre.

At the council’s Executive Board on Wednesday 23 June, councillors will consider a report progressing further plans to transform cycling in the city centre. The report presents plans to approve £7.06 million of new cycling routes across Leeds, as part of Leeds city council’s plans aimed to encourage more people to travel by bike, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, through the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund.

The plans will add 7kms of high quality, modern cycle facilities to the Leeds city centre cycle network across five separate schemes. Together, they will increase the length of continuous cycling infrastructure by linking up and filling in gaps to the existing and planned cycle network, and extend and complement the recent projects delivered by CityConnect and the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme. The aim is to improve the connectivity to the city centre and access of the city-wide cycle network.

These schemes will also improve cycle access to Leeds railway station, enabling people to extend their trips by train across West Yorkshire and shorter trips within Leeds. Plus they will help encourage more trips to be made within the city centre.

A previous consultation earlier this year found the majority of users considered at least part of the cycling experience in the locations currently need to be improved. The majority of respondents agreed the proposals would improve cycling around the city centre.

Following the consultation an additional sixth ‘linking’ scheme to connect existing cycling infrastructure on Dewsbury Road has been added, with the scope of the funding to complete by spring 2023. 1) Holbeck Gateway

A route to link Holbeck into the western part of the city centre at Whitehall Road. This project adds to existing work on the corridor. It provides access to and from Holbeck and forms a network with the recently delivered CityConnect 2 and CityConnect 3 projects in the city centre and in south Leeds. 2) Western Gateway

Tying together a number of existing routes, this scheme leads into the West Street gyratory to enable easy and safe access from one side to the other. This includes CityConnect 1 from west Leeds, CityConnect 2 on Wellington Street and the A65 Quality Bus Corridor which includes cycle provision. 3) Eastern Gateway

This project complements the existing work delivered on St Peter’s Street from the CityConnect 2 project and the Regent Street project, and links to the current works on Vicar Lane and beyond. It will allow an east-west route to be fully delivered in the northern part of the city centre. 4) Crown Point Bridge

The Crown Point Bridge scheme will provide a safe segregated route across the river, serving the south eastern part of the city centre. 5) Southern Gateway

This scheme will create a major route into and out of the city centre from the south, linking a number of existing routes to and from Leeds rail station and City Square. 6) Dewsbury Road Connector

The project links the existing cycle infrastructure on Dewsbury Road into the Southern Gateway to Hunslet Road and Crown Point Bridge Street.

Once completed, the section delivers the missing part of the network in the southern part of the city centre and complements the current CityConnect 3 project to deliver a safe segregated route into the city centre from Beeston and Holbeck areas.

The next phase of planning involves Leeds city council consulting directly with local residents and businesses to make new active travel measures work for all users, with construction to start over the summer.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said:

“I’m pleased to see these new schemes coming forward. We have an ambition to help encourage sustainable active travel here in Leeds and these new schemes continue our work to build a safe and coherent cycling and walking network across the city.

“It’s always important to remember that as well as being a primary way to get about, cycling and walking can play a part in bigger journeys. That’s why I’m pleased to see these schemes improving cycle access to Leeds railway station, enabling people to extend their trips by train across West Yorkshire and beyond.

“The proposals contribute to the Leeds target of reducing carbon emissions by 2030 by improving facilities for cycling close to the city centre, facilitating linkages to even further develop the cycle network, and to encourage these transport choices as an alternative to car journeys.

“I’m keen to see every new piece of segregated cycleway in Leeds, as each part moves us nearer to the 500 miles of cycle network we want to see across the city. We want to make Leeds the number one cycling city in the North of England. The only thing holding that ambition back is proper funding and I would like to see more opportunities like this new to deliver our vision.”

It is estimated the programme will improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on foot for up to 1.5 million people, take up to 12 million car trips per year off our roads and reduce CO2 emissions from car travel by up to 15,000 tonnes by 2036.

Separately the Council is also set to undertake consultation on further schemes, funded through the Government’s Active Travel Fund.

These will include Active Travel Neighbourhoods (ATNs), where through routes are blocked to vehicles in order to promote safe walking and cycling and stop ‘rat running.’ An revised version of the Cross Flatts ATN in Beeston will go out to consultation shortly and residents will be consulted on the boundaries of an ATN in Middleton.

Further cycling routes include Balm Road in Hunslet, Sweet Street in Holbeck and Elland Road, taking the existing route across the Ring Road.

Finally, existing School Streets will be reviewed with a view to making them permanent. School Streets currently operate at Clapgate, Hugh Gaitskell, Ingram Road, Lane End and Middleton St Mary’s Primary Schools.

The cycle routes will form a coherent network

Community football facilities to be moved to Matthew Murray site

Anew community sports hub originally earmarked for a site next to Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium is is be relocated to the former home of Matthew Murray High School in Holbeck, following a decision by senior councillors of the council’s executive board at their meeting on 23 June.

The change in location of the ‘Parklife’ initiative from Fullerton Park to the old Matthew Murray school site reflects ongoing discussions between Leeds United and Leeds City Council after the club earlier in the year expressed a desire to potentially increase the capacity of Elland Road in the future.

Following an assessment, which included consultation with local stakeholders, the council believes that the old Matthew Murray High School site would provide the best place in which the facilities originally outlined for Fullerton Park as part of the Parklife scheme could be delivered and enhanced, whilst also offering the operational requirements that are needed for an initiative of this scale.

Facilities outlined as part of Parklife would now include; four 3G artificial grass pitches; community café; changing rooms; a gym and a NHS facility which will include a GP surgery, treatment rooms and pharmacy. The project which is expected to be completed in 2023, will also play a key role in meeting the council’s ambition to provide high quality sports and community facilities in the south Leeds area.

The Football Foundation, which is the main funder of the Parklife programme on four sites in the city and NHS partners have given their full support to the proposed change in location as have local stakeholders, who believe it will better suit the needs of the local community of south Leeds.

Leeds United have also expressed their backing for the new proposed site of Parklife. The club has also agreed to cover the required design development and site investigation fees and costs that will be needed to help facilitate any potential move.

A plan put forward for a new Leeds United training ground on the Matthew Murray site will now not progress at the club’s request. The council continues to be committed to engaging with the club regarding any options they may consider for a new training ground in the near future.

The council has also agreed to work in partnership with Leeds United Football Club on a revised masterplan for the Elland Road Stadium and Fullerton Park area with view that further draft proposals are brought back to the Executive Board before a public consultation at a later date.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“The fantastic return of Leeds United to the Premier League has proved to be a great boost to not just fans, but also the city as a whole. We remain committed to working with the club constructively in terms of any ambitions they might have in terms of increasing the capacity of Elland Road in the future, which is why following discussions, we agreed to look at what options could be available to move the proposed Parklife project from Fullerton Park to another location.

“The Parklife community sporting hub remains a key part of our aim to ensure that a range of top class facilities are available in south Leeds, and we were committed to ensure that as part of any assessment work in terms of finding a new location for the project, that no facilities would be lost to those proposed for Fullerton Park. I am pleased to say that this is the case, and we are confident that the Matthew Murray site will be an ideal location for Parklife, a view which is shared by local stakeholders, the Football Foundation, Leeds United and our partners at the NHS.

“Local people can be assured that any plans will be subject to a full public consultation process.” Congratulations to Rachael Loftus who has been awarded an MBE for services to the Shielding Programme in Leeds in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Rachael, who was brought up in Beeston, is the Head of Regional Health Partnerships, working to improve health and care across the West Yorkshire area.

She has played a pivotal role throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, leading the partnership response to shielding the most vulnerable in the first wave, supporting thousands of residents and enabling the system to work to get food, medicine and emotional support.

Through her outstanding work to set up the Shielding Programme in Leeds, covering 54,000 residents, she pulled together partners across NHS, community and local government and ensured food, medicine and emotional support was provided to these people.

The systems she designed were adopted regionally and influenced the national agenda too, and her work with DHSC, Cabinet Office and MHCLG has been commended by all concerned.

Earlier in her career Rachael worked on community programmes for many years, both in the Leeds Irish community and supporting vulnerable groups such as gypsies and travellers and refugees and asylum seekers.

Speaking to South Leeds Life, Rachael said:

“The practical support provided by the hubs such as delivering food was an essential part of the support offered to clinically extremely vulnerable people.

“But from the off – in Leeds we wanted to work with people to find out what they needed from us and what they had to offer – and that turned out to be a whole set of things which included walking dogs, posting letters, calling people up for a chat, arranging a window visit or talking people through how to do a video call or reset their internet.

“Slung Low, Involve, Hamara and other South Leeds organisations were just brilliant to work with – because they understood just how difficult it was to get an accurate picture of who needed what in those early days of the shielding programme – and they were just brilliantly kind and proactive about what they could do to help.”

Birthday honour for Covid response

Rachael Loftus MBE

MP visits railway

by Ian Smith

Middleton Railway President Hilary Benn MP visited the railway’s Moor Road headquarters on 2 June during a Half Term Operating Day.

He spoke with many of the railway’s working volunteers and was particularly interested in the railway’s Young Volunteers Group, supervised by member John Linkins, a teacher by profession.

The Young Volunteers are a vital part of the railway’s future plans – new members are needed to replace those current members who are not getting any younger – and Hilary was most impressed with the youngsters he spoke to during his visit.

Trainee Guard Alex Smith said: “I am very happy to be at the railway and hope to be a qualified guard soon. It’s all part of my journey and ambitions!”

Railway Chairman Charles Milner and Vice President Ian Smith showed Hilary around the site and showed him the newly constructed Mezzanine Floor, part of our expansion plans.

The upstairs part of the railways Moor Road headquarters is having a major refurbishment, to include replacing equipment and carpets in the current Conference Room and the construction and fitting out of the new mezzanine floor, which has been led by Civil Engineer Mark Calvert.

Whilst the mezzanine is not yet finished due to the effects of Covid on both staff and suppliers, Hilary was amazed at the view of the Display Hall and has said he wants to come and visit once all the displays have been completed and the floor is fully open.

Chairman Charles Milner said: “We were delighted to host Hilary and show him the many things our hard working members have achieved despite all the problems thrown up by covid and we look forward to welcoming him again soon.”

On the beat

by Insp Lucy Leadbeater

Over the past couple of weeks it has finally felt like summer has arrived. The warmer weather has been lovely for us all to get outside and to ensure everyone keeps safe West Yorkshire Police have launched our Enjoy Summer Safely campaign.

This campaign will raise awareness of crimes such as domestic abuse, drinking driving, one punch manslaughter, and sexual assaults which can increase at this time of year.

Our message is to enjoy your night but Stay Safe. You can do this by following the below advice: 1 Never leave your drink unattended – even soft drinks can get ‘spiked’ 2 Look after yourself and your friends

3 Avoid putting yourself in situations you might regret 4 Always pre-book your taxi and make sure you get in the right one 5 Stay with your friends and never walk home alone 6 Too much alcohol can make you and others aggressive so be aware of the amount that you are drinking. If you get drunk you are more likely to do things you wouldn’t normally do.

As we continue to tackle the issues previously written about in relation to off road bikes, this month (13 June) our Off Road Bike Team have undertaken an operation alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Team in South Leeds.

Six off road bikes were deployed and had a very successful day of action.

During the day they: • Seized 4 vehicles (3 bikes and 1 quad) • Dealt with 8 people for a range of driving offences • Gave out two Section 59 warnings for anti-social driving.

We will continue to tackle this problem which we know is an issue for the residents of South Leeds and wider into the city and this continues to be a priority for us.

The off road team dealing with problems in Middleton Park

New Hunslet WEEE recycling point

Hunslet and Riverside Ward Councillors have welcomed the deployment of a new Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Bank in the Hunslet Community Hub and Library carpark in Hunslet.

On 2 June 2021 the new WEEE bank, which will allow the recycling off small electric items (toasters, kettles etc), was installed alongside the two exiting Glass Banks in the car park. Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said:

“We know there is a demand for more recycling of specialist smaller electrical items which cannot be donated. We have asked for a WEEE in Hunslet ever since the previous bank was removed from the Penny Hill Centre carpark at the request of the centres managers. Therefore, we are really happy one will now be reinstalled in Hunslet a again.”

Cllr Iqbal added Cllr Paul Wray, Cllr Elizabeth Nash and he were lobbying for more WEEE’s to be installed across the ward as they became available to help improve recycling rates. They also stressed the good practice of residents donating unwanted working items (big or small) before looking to dispose of them. You can find more information about ways to do this at www.leeds.gov.uk/ residents/bins-andrecycling/get-rid-of-unwanted -items

Recycle electrical items at Hunslet Community Hub car park

Councillors promise action on blocked gullies and drains

Hunslet and Riverside Ward Councillors have promised to address the significant number of blocked gullies and drains across the Hunslet and Beeston Hill areas of the ward – in particular in the back streets and on the inner housing estates.

Following the restarting of Councillor Areas Walks after the easing of pandemic restrictions, Cllr Elizabeth Nash, Cllr Mohammed Iqbal and Cllr Paul Wray have said they have seen an alarming number of gullies and drains blocked.

Cllr Elizabeth Nash said:

“We know gully and drain cleaning work had been set back significantly by the pandemic due to staff shielding, but the number of gullies and drains in need of cleaning is alarming. We have reported a significant number on the back streets on Beeston Hill and in the inner Leeds Housing estates in Hunslet already. Highways Leeds have promised to clear these within 28 days and in the case of the Hunslet estates visited so far –they will employ a specialist contactor as the normal cleaning wagons cannot access the smaller inner streets.”

Councillors are urging residents to report blocked drains as and when they see them as the main gullies and drains are only proactively inspected by Highways Leeds yearly and gullies and drains in back streets less often. If these are not cleared they added, it can lead to localised flooding during heavy rain. It also means loose soil and silt isn’t washed away – making the perfect spots for weeds to grow.

Cllr Elizabeth Nash vowed Councillors would get on top the backlog as they continued their area walks across the ward,

“Now we are out and about again properly – these walks will cover the ward every eight weeks or so inbetween our other duties. This will give Highways Leeds time to do the work they have promised before we have an in depth visit again. If they haven’t cleared them – we will be chased them up!” You can report a blocked gully or drain and many other general repair issues on the Leeds City Council website at services.leeds.gov.uk or if you’re unsure of what option to use – contact your local Councillor for help. A blocked drain in Beeston Hill

Reaction to the end of the Managed Approach

Following the announcement that Leeds City Council and Safer Leeds plan to end the Managed Approach to street sex work in Holbeck, people have been reacting to the news.

In a statement Hilary Benn MP said:

“I welcome the news that the current Managed Approach will formally come to an end.

“It’s a decision that draws on the views of local residents and on the Independent Review, and it recognises that the scheme has not operated in its previous form since the start of the pandemic.

“The aim has always been to reduce the impact of sex work on local residents. So scrapping the permitted hours and defined area, cracking down on soliciting by men and making use of public space protection orders reflects what many have been calling for and will be widely supported. It’s also good to see that the dedicated police support, the use of CCTV, the cleansing arrangements and help for women to exit on-street sex work will be kept in place.

“As everyone knows there has never been a simple solution to this problem, but this announcement represents a step forward.”

Save Our Eyes and Voice Of Holbeck have also issued a joint statement welcoming the move, saying:

“We are delighted to hear that LCC have decided to formally end the managed zone for prostitution and take up some of the recommendations made by the local community.”

They also point to men travelling from across the country to buy sex and call for the message that men are not welcome to kerb crawl Holbeck to be spread nationally.

You can read the full statement at: saveoureyes.co .uk/leeds-managed-approachcloses.

But Basis Yorkshire, one of the charities that works with sex workers were disappoited with the decision:

“As an organisation Basis remains firmly of the view that the Managed Approach including the Managed Area remains the best way of providing as much safety as possible to sex workers who work on street. For this reason, we are very disappointed with the Councils’ decision to step away from what has been a pioneering and compassionate approach to on street sex work up to this point.”

Your can read their full statement at: basisyorkshire .org.uk/news/statement-basisyorkshire-re-managed-approac h-june-2021.

In the debate at the LCC Executive Board, Conservative leader Cllr Andrew Carter said:

“There is no wonder that things have, in inverted commas – improved – this is an admission that the whole experiment failed and we should have come to this conclusion some considerable time ago.”

Cllr Steward Golten for the Liberal Democrats commented:

“I feel very uncomfortable, when the managed zone was used politically as a campaigning tool,” he said. “I think the council, in its innovative approach to tackling prostitution was brave and forward looking – it tried something, and the Lib Dems were behind that experiment.

“It is with regret that as that experiment progressed, we realised that the commitment to investment in the management needed to make it work was not there, from whichever part of the partnership we are talking about.

“It is the vulnerability of the people involved that merited the attempt at a managed approach. I am not going to congratulate campaigners against the zone for a ‘victory’ – I accept it with regret. I want to see something concrete to see what is being taken forward.”

Protesters from Save Our Eyes on Holbeck Moor in 2018

Managed Approach set to end

Continued from page 1

Cllr Debra Coupar continued: “Providing meaningful support to the local community remains a key priority for us in terms of our on-going approach to tackling sex work in the area. I’d like to reassure residents that these changes will not result in any loss of bespoke services we have introduced. Also not changing is the package of critical and meaningful assistance and access to vital services we will be providing on a daily basis to sex workers, which has achieved some positive results. We remain committed to taking any steps that are necessary to tackle sex work wherever it may be in Leeds. Many of the lessons and strategic plans and strategies we put in place through the Managed Approach have provided us with a much needed base in which to move forward with confidence.

“Many aspects developed through the Managed Approach will be incorporated as part of our city-wide strategy moving forward.”

The plans were approved by LCC’s Executive Board and now go to the Safer Leeds Board this month. If approved they will be implemented as soon as practicably possible. South Leeds Life has covered the Managed Approach since 2016

Women exiting sex work

Leeds City Council has published the following anonymised case studies showing how agencies working together as part of the Managed approach - West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council, Safer Leeds, Basis Yorkshire and The Joanna Project - have supported women to leave sex work.

Case Study 1

B had a history of prolific on-street sex working for some years which increased up to 2020. Her behaviour escalated to the point of the partnership exploring an antisocial behaviour injunction due to a high level of very challenging behaviour. The Managed Approach policing team colleagues continued their support and engagement through the Managed Approach partnership and via the sex worker liaison police officer.

B finally engaged with Basis and Forward Leeds and was supported in a number of ways including through their outreach work. She is now accessing intensive support through the Housing First programme and continues to make very good progress. In addition to not engaging in sex work, she is also being supported by Forward Leeds with her addiction issues. B also has regular family contact now in place which is assisting in terms of her wider support and coping mechanisms.

Case Study 2

C started sex working in 2019 whilst in the early stages of pregnancy. She was quickly engaged by various partners in the Managed Approach including police, Basis and Joanna Project. Her relationship with statutory partners prior to this period was not a positive one but through the approach adopted she was supported by Basis and Forward Leeds who provided assistance with a range of complex needs. This included support to address healthrelated needs as well as other needs relating to lifestyle, including financial support. C gave birth and continued to sex work and use Class A drugs. With continued engagement and support C is no longer sex working, is engaging well with support from Forward Leeds in relation to her drugs programme and has moved out of the area with supervised access to her children.

Case Study 3

F had a number of complex needs including drug addiction, poor mental health and ongoing sex work with high risk behaviours. F had been provided with temporary accommodation but was struggling to maintain the accommodation offer because of various factors, including drug use. A meeting was held with the partnership agencies to discuss F’s needs and how they could work together to support her to achieve her goals. F expressed that she would like to go to detox rehabilitation so a referral was made and she successfully gained a place. However, part way through F exited the programme unplanned and returned to Leeds. Agencies quickly linked in with one another to understand why F had left the programme and worked together to support her to access it once again. F is now back in the detox unit, is doing well and is not engaged in sex work.

Case Study 4

D had previously been a prolific on-street sex worker who had been subject to enforcement action for a number of months due to her chaotic and problematic behaviour which put herself at risk and caused anti-social behaviour related issues within the local community. She subsequently built up stronger relationships with partners through the intensive work and support she was in receipt of, and overtime she began to engage well with Joanna Project, particularly through the pandemic period of 2020. The links with Joanna Project helped D to forge a better relationship with Forward Leeds in relation to her addiction issues. D has now successfully completed a programme that has seen her become completely free from drugs and she has not sex worked since the summer of 2020.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Colas expands with move to Elland Road

The northern regional office of Colas Ltd, the infrastructure company, has relocated to larger premises at Landmark Court, Elland Road, Beeston.

As part of its commitment to reducing its impact on the environment, Colas has installed electric vehicle charging points as they are providing these at all of their offices across the UK to support their expanding electric vehicle fleet.

Harrison Spinks donates beds to Crypt

Beeston-based manufacturer, Harrison Spinks, has donated over 30 beds to Don Robin’s House, a new development currently being built in Leeds by a local homelessness charity. The pioneering new development in New Wortley, delivered by local charity St George’s Crypt will support some of the city’s most vulnerable people.

Brain Tumour charity fun day

Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity ambassadors Ellie Sayers and Lucinda Thompson are encouraging families to join them at the charity’s family fun day, GardenFest, on Saturday 10 July at Leeds Corinthians RUFC in Middleton. The charity will be asking for a small donation on entry to join in with the games, activities, inflatables, stalls, food and drink on offer.

Parliamentary constituencies set to change

The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has published its initial proposals for new constituency boundaries.

The public are now able to view and provide feedback on the proposed constituencies as part of an eight-week consultation process.

Under the proposals the Beeston & Holbeck and Hunslet & Riverside council wards would remain within the Leeds Central parliamentary constituency, currently held by Hilary Benn (Labour). However, Middleton Park ward which includes Belle Isle and Middleton, would move to a renamed ‘Morley’ constituency.

The Morley consituency would stretch from Drighlington to Lofthouse and would include Morley, East and West Ardsley as well as Belle Isle and Middleton. One of the reasons for the change is the growth of people living in the city centre and riverside areas. The current constituency of Morley & Outwood is held by Andrea Jenkyns (Conservative).

Members of the public are encouraged to visit www.bcereviews.org.uk to view maps showing the proposed new boundaries and provide feedback before the consultation closes on 2 August 2021. People can comment on anything from where the proposed new boundary lines are to the names of the constituencies. There will be a further two rounds of consultation in 2022. Following the conclusion of all three consultation periods, the Commission will look at all the evidence received and form its final recommendations.

Tim Bowden, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said:

“These proposals mark the first time people get to see what the new map of Parliamentary constituencies might look like. But they are just the Commission’s initial thoughts. Help us draw the line to make the number of electors in each Parliamentary constituency more equal. Each constituency we recommend is required by law to contain between 69,724 and 77,062 electors, meaning there will be significant change to current boundaries.

“We want to hear the views of the public to ensure that we get the new boundaries for Parliamentary constituencies right.

“We consider all feedback received during the consultation process, and it is your local knowledge that helps us to shape constituencies that best reflect your local area. It is easy to get involved – view our proposals and have your say on our online consultation portal –www.bcereviews.org.uk.” A riverside flat block by Leeds railway station suffered a dramatic exterior fire Tuesday 8 June, raising concerns once again about dangerous cladding and related building defects.

West Yorkshire Fire Service were on this occasion able to contain the fire, and all residents escaped safely.

The block – called Blue, at Granary Wharf – is one of dozens locally affected by the Cladding Scandal. Following the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy, it came to light that thousands of flat blocks UKwide had been built with dangerously flammable external cladding, and other building defects such as the absence of adequate ‘fire breaks’.

As we have previously reported, a lengthy legal and political battle has ensued, regarding responsibility; and as it stands, the regular leaseholders are in most cases being forced to pay crippling bills, both for interim modifications, and for the longterm rebuilding work.

This month’s fire started on an eighth storey balcony, and spread into the flat – but residents from the flat in question, and from about 60 other flats, evacuated the building safely. The Fire Service were able to tackle the fire both inside and outside the building, and ensured that it did not spread.

Most residents were able to return to their homes immediately after the fire.

In a statement, the Fire Service noted that the Blue building features some noncompliant cladding, but that this didn’t feature in the fire. They also commented that procedures and modifications (including an early-warning fire alarm system) have been put in place in the light of the cladding crisis – and these played a part in enabling a fast evacuation and response.

Rachael, a local resident, and cladding victim and campaigner, commented:

“Blue is one of the many buildings that’s been found to be missing the fire breaks behind the cladding: a really core element to safe design. This means that there’s only a very short window to get fires like this under control, without them spreading between floors behind the cladding.

“Thankfully the Fire Service were able to respond quickly enough this time – but it is a deeply worrying situation for people living in high rise buildings with these defects.”

Hilary Benn MP added on social media: “This reminds us all of the danger that leaseholders in blocks with unsafe cladding and missing firebreaks live with every single day.”

For more information, see the Leeds Cladding Scandal campaign fb.com/leeds claddingscandal. Campaigners are inviting all those caught up in these, and all concerned supporters, to join a protest in central London on 15 July.

Holbeck cladding flat fire

by Ed Carlisle

Fire rages on the balconey at Blue.

Delivering a message to Amazon

Council approves consultation on plan for golf course land

by Becky Townesend

Councillors on the Executive Board have approved a report from the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment to create a new parkland at the site of the former South Leeds Golf Club, off the Ring Road next to Middleton Park.

The 48 hectares of parkland is set to incorporate a 4.5 hectare memorial woodland that will be dedicated to the memory of those who have died of Covid-19, which at time of writing stands at 1,728 people in Leeds and 130,057 in England.

The memorial woodland will be created in partnership with the Leeds Hospital Charity with the charity meeting the cost of the creation and development of the memorial woodland. As well as the chance to remember those who have died the woodland will also be a place to reflect upon and appreciate the contribution of front line and key workers during the pandemic.

Alongside the memorial

L-R: Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Asghar Khan; Giles Fretwell, Events and Community Manager at Leeds Hospitals Charity; Cllr Salma Arif, Executive Member for Public Health and Active Lifestyles; Esther Wakeman, Chief Executive Leeds Hospitals Charity; Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council

woodland is it planned that the £700k development will include a range of new habitats and features including a wetland, wildflower meadow, new paths, picnic areas, as well as educational and volunteering opportunities. The 9,000 trees that are expected to be planted will support the council’s pledge to plant 5.8 million trees over the next 25 years to contribute to the combating of the climate emergency.

The plans also include the creation of a new parking area near the memorial wood (subject to planning permission) and security measures to the site boundary to protect the parkland from flytipping and illegal occupation. As previously reported the Council also plan to transfer 3 hectares of the site to Cockburn School to accommodate a new sports pitch.

The council hope that in expanding the Green Flag award winning Middleton Park there will be wider benefits for people in Leeds. Councillor Salma Arif for Labour introduced the proposal during the Executive Board recognising that:

“Everyone has had a difficult eighteen months and it is important that we have a fitting memorial in recognition of friends and family that we have lost during the pandemic and also to appreciate the efforts of front line and key workers who continue to do us proud.

“This new 48-hectare park and memorial woodland … (will

enhance) Middleton Park as a destination for both those paying their respects and to visitors in the area … and a greener space for residents to enjoy which obviously has mental and physical health benefits.”

During the discussion on the proposals, Leader of the Opposition Conservative Councillor Andrew Carter welcomed the proposal and expressed “the hope that we’ll see these sort of initiatives spread throughout the city.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group Councillor Stewart Golton, whilst confirming he was voting in favour, raised concerns that:

“The council…is committing a very substantial amount of money to what is effectively a tree planting scheme at a place in the city which already has really top-quality parkland and this would be added to it…and the amount of land which is being associated with the memorial woodland is one sixth from my estimation…of the golf course itself”.

Regarding the memorial he raised his concern that:

“It’s presupposing what the people of Leeds would like to see as their Covid memorial in this city and I would like to think that we would have a far wider engagement of the general population in Leeds to understand what they think might be an appropriate place of commemoration of people who have died and I would suggest that it probably would be somewhere a little bit more central… (and) so I would like to

think that this isn’t just the council’s proposal for Covid memorial initiatives and that actually we will see something far more substantial in further papers.”

In response Councillor Arif commented that:

“The local public and the wider public will very much be consulted in how this goes forward”.

The timetable agreed at the Executive Board on 23 June 2021 aims to have a consultation completed by July 2021 with the opening of the Memorial Wood taking place in February 2022 and as part of the proposals Esther Wakeman, Chief Executive at Leeds Hospitals Charity has said:

“We expect an official launch in early autumn when we will be able to let people know how they can give in memory”.

The Friends of Middleton Park have attended a virtual meeting about the proposal and the Chair of Trustees Alan Shaw has told South Leeds Life that they “are very supportive” of the plans and “will be following closely” as the plans are “shared wider within the local community”.

South Leeds residents can sign up for email updates from the Leeds Hospitals Charity at: www.leedshospitalscharity.org. uk/woodland. Leeds Hospitals Charity is the chosen charity for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

Totem Pole records park features

Alan Shaw, Chair of Friends of Middleton Park writes: “Over the last few weekends Shane Green has been grafting at carving a totem pole of fabulous Park features on a tree stump near the Visitor Centre. It's now complete and we think it's fabulous. The totem has been supported by the French of Middleton Park who have crowd funded donations from the community in support. So essentially, it's owned by the community. There's still time to donate if you are interested. Please go to the page on GoFundMe - www.gofundme.com/f/woodcarving-a-significant-tree

Full Fibre has arrived in South Leeds – here’s how and why to get it

Sponsored Content

Sick of unreliable broadband? You’re not alone. Indeed, a recent YouGov survey found that a third of UK adults are experiencing worse internet performance than they did pre-lockdown – with 70% of those users struggling with simple activities such as browsing and online shopping.

The good news is that work is already well underway in Leeds to bring full fibre services within reach of nearly every home and business locally. Since 2016, we’ve invested £120m to lay a new network that uses the best available technology – full fibre – to give nearly every home and business the digital foundation they need to thrive today, tomorrow and in decades to come.

Already, thousands of Leeds residents are able to benefit, with full fibre broadband services now live and available across Holbeck, Beeston, Hunslet, Morley, Middleton, Belle Isle, and Armley through a range of broadband providers; with works also underway in the West and North of the city. To find out if you can connect, register your interest at cityfibre.com/south-leeds.

Why is full fibre different to what I’ve got already?

The difference between full fibre and ‘regular’ fibre is stark, and even if you think you have ‘fibre broadband’ today, the chances are there’s copper in there somewhere holding you back (top tip - if your router connects to a normal telephone socket, then that’s what you’ve got).

With full fibre enabled services, when you ask for a gigabit connection, you get a gigabit connection. Here’s what you can expect: • Increased efficiency: significantly faster speeds for upload and download, with providers offering gigabit speeds (1,000Mbps). This means you can access what you want in the blink of an eye - waiting for files to download or videos to finish buffering will be a thing of the past. • No more competing priorities: near limitless bandwidth means everyone in your house can work, study, stream or game online simultaneously without a challenge. • Connectivity you can depend on: The clever design of our networks means that if there’s a break in one connection, it can instantly be rerouted via another. We’re also constantly monitoring our networks, so problems are often detected and fixed before you even notice! • Futureproofed for growing demand ¬- once the fibre is in the ground, it’s there for good and maintenance work is drastically reduced. We plan twice, build once and build right.

So, can I buy this new broadband from you?

CityFibre’s job is not to be the star of the show but to quickly get everything set up for the main event and make sure it all runs smoothly.

Our networks are open access, which lets you choose from a growing list of national and local internet service providers (ISPs).

Whenever we complete a section of network, ISPs ‘light it up’ with some of the fastest and best value broadband packages available (high speed needn’t mean high cost).

Sounds great, when can I get it?

Works are well underway across South Leeds with more new addresses are going live day by day as our work to extend the network continues through the city.

You can find out when you can connect by registering your interest at cityfibre.com/southleeds.

Get Together in Middleton Ed’s amongst Leeds Cycling Campaign award winners

by Anne Mansfield

In the spirit of the late Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox’s legacy, people from across the country come together each year to meet one another and celebrate that “we have more in common than that which divides us.”

This year celebrations kicked off in June, and folks all over found ways to safely celebrate despite the ongoing pandemic.

Your Space brought the celebrations to Middleton with an afternoon full of fun on Sunday 14 June in partnership with the folks at Manorfield Hall.

Locals were treated to free food, games, crafts, and music. They also enjoyed the fantastic debut dance performance from the DAZL community dance group.

Opportunities to get together with our neighbours have been few and far between in the last 18 months, so people were quick to comment how refreshing it was to be able to gather.

Arlie, a Community Wellbeing Development Worker at Your Space said: “I want to thank everyone who came along, our volunteer Erica, Emma and all of the volunteers at Manorfield Hall, Denise Sadler for her crating table, and Chrisie, Ian and the DAZL dancers for help making the event a success.”

Are you interested in finding ways to get out more, meet new people or try out a new or longforgotten hobby? Contact Your Space on (0113) 426 1141 or email yourspace@touchstone support.org.uk to find out about opportunities in your area. Leeds Cycling Campaign has revealed its muchanticipated cycling awards for 2021 and South Leeds Life contributor and board member Ed Carlisle is amongst the winners.

The awards highlight and celebrate actions that are making a significant contribution to promoting cycling in Leeds.

They help to foster an environment in which more people will be encouraged to take up cycling and highlight the great work of the Leeds Cycling campaign.

Ed won the Outstanding Grass Roots Campaigner award. The award recognises the unstinting work by Ed in promoting active travel initiatives across South Leeds over many years. These include cycle repair with the Big Bike Fix, and clean air/ car-free streets initiatives.

Winners in other categories included the Active Travel Neighbourhood trials across the city; Leeds City Council’s support for staff wishing to cycle to work; and Mike Babbitt of Sustrans for his work on upgrading the Aire and Calder Navigation path between Leeds City Centre and Woodlesford Ed Carlisle (right) distributing free bikes as part of the Big Bike Fix

which has become massively popular during lock-down.

The Bikes College CIC won the Best Cycling Promotion award. They are a small, selfsufficient, independent social enterprise based in Holbeck refurbishing bikes otherwise destined for landfill.

At the other end of the scale The Duke of Devonshire won the Rotten Tomato Award for claiming tax exemptions in return for allowing public access to his Bolton Abbey estate while banning cyclists from most of his 30,000 acre estate. The area is very popular with cyclists from Leeds and surrounding areas. Peregrine Andrew Morny Cavendish, the 12th Duke of Devonshire has an estimated fortune of £880 million.

Martin Stanley, Acting Chair of Leeds Cycling Campaign said:

“We are delighted with the response to our first ever annual Leeds Cycling awards. While much still needs to be done to make cycling the natural choice for getting around the city, the award winners demonstrate just what great work is going on to make this an achievable goal and highlight where action is still required”.

DAZL receives Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

DAZL defeated lockdown by brining dance to the streets with Garden Groovers

Middleton-based DAZL (Dance Action Zone Leeds) and their group of volunteers based across the city have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

DAZL is a dance and health organisation and charity supported by Leeds Public Health to improve the physical and mental health of the most deprived communities of Leeds.

This year they celebrate 21 years of supporting the communities of Leeds through dance as a creative pathway. Throughout the pandemic the DAZL Volunteers delivered dance sessions across the city, food parcels and vital support to communities.

DAZL is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.

Representatives of DAZL will receive the award crystal and certificate from Ed Anderson, Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire later this summer. Furthermore two volunteers from DAZL will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

Melissa Peacock, a DAZL Volunteer, says:

“It is fabulous that DAZL have been awarded the Queens Volunteer Award. As a volunteer I get to see the inclusivity of all of the work they do. No one is left out, all of society is included. Get involved and be part of the DAZL family. To give a small amount of my time each week has been returned to me tenfold in many ways. Skills I have learnt, support I have received and most importantly the joy of seeing the DAZL family grow”

Ian Rodley DAZL Director says: “This is truly an honour and comes at a time where giving back to the community is more important than ever. I am so thankful and humbled by this award and so happy that our volunteers have been recognised for everything they do for DAZL and the communities we serve.”

The Best Fish & Chip Shop in South Leeds

On Fryday 4 June, National Fish & Chips Day, we held a readers poll to find out which is the best plaice to get your favourite take away in South Leeds.

Congratulations to KP’s Fish Bar on North Lingwell Road in Middleton and honourable mentions for runners up Nichols Fish & Chips on Dewsbury Road and Park Fisheries on Beeston Road.

Staff at KP’s Fish Bar in Middleton celebrate winning L-R: Abbie, Ella, Laura, KP, Bridget and Carly

Holbeck church to help jobless get work-ready

Achurch is set to run free job clubs to help people in the Beeston and Holbeck area of South Leeds get back into work ahead of Covid-19 restrictions easing.

Members of St Luke’s Church in Holbeck want to help equip their local community to find employment in tough economic times so have undergone specialised training from UK charity Christians Against Poverty.

Now they are offering free weekly workshops to boost the job-hunting process for unemployed people by equipping them with the tools, skills and confidence to find work this summer.

Job Club Manager, Greg Mann, who will be leading the workshops, said:

“With more people facing unemployment because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a real need for a personal service which provides practical and emotional support for them to find work again. CAP Job Clubs are designed to do just that.”

St Luke’s Church is one of more than 100 churches of different Christian traditions across the UK who will be running a CAP Job Club, as they work together to positively impact the communities around them.

CAP Job Club is a weekly course that combines one-toone consultations, group support and practical sessions that cover topics such as identifying strengths, CV writing and interview techniques. The service is open to everyone regardless of faith.

Greg added: “We hope that we can help people to gain the confidence and skills they need to find employment, particularly for those who may have been out of work for a long period of time.”

The club will run weekly starting from Monday 5 July 2021 at 11am in the church on Malvern Road, Leeds LS11 8PD.

To find out more about CAP Job Clubs or to book your place visit capjobclubs.org to book a place telephone 0800 328 0006.

The Job Club will run at St Luke’s church

Vikki’s journey

After volunteering with the organisation for many years, Holbeck Together is thrilled that Nikki, a local mum of three, is joining the staff team as a Community Engagement Worker.

Nikki initially began helping driver Roy on the minibus, and has gone on to support with the Healthy Holidays project, coming up with great ideas and linking the organisation in with local families. Whilst volunteering with Holbeck Together, she managed to juggle her roles as a busy mum as well as a part-time job at a local school.

Volunteering has helped Nikki to build her confidence and Holbeck Together is keen to support her to further her education and develop the skills she has learned. Holbeck Together is supporting Nikki to take on an apprenticeship in Adult Care Level 2 at Leeds City College, as well the role of Community Engagement Worker at the organisation.