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VJ Day will be recognised on 15 August 2020 commemorating the end of the Second World War. 15 August marks 75 years since Victory in Japan (VJ) Day when the Second World War finally came to an end in Japan. Whilst VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, Japan fought on with both sides suffering thousands of losses across Asia and the Pacific. Unfortunately due to the current coronavirus pandemic, many VJ Day events across the UK will not be going ahead in line with government…

A rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 in parts of Leeds has prompted a call for communities to work together to help keep the city safe and prevent the virus spreading. The latest data and monitoring has enabled the Leeds Outbreak Control Board to quickly identify clusters of cases in neighbourhoods within Kirkstall, Harehills and surrounding areas. The city’s seven day rate has also been gradually increasing from 4.1 cases per 100,000 people early last week to 13.3 as of August 5 and restrictions are currently in…

A major scheme to protect homes in east Leeds from flooding has opened. The scheme, which is part of a programme of flood alleviation measures in the Wyke Beck valley, comprises of a new flooding control structure and flood storage at Killingbeck Meadows Local Nature Reserve. Led by Leeds City Council, in partnership with the Environment Agency and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the scheme provides increased protection to residential properties downstream of Killingbeck Meadows, reducing the likelihood of flooding…

Leeds City Council has secured more than £18m from the government’s Getting Building Fund to deliver three regeneration projects that will boost economic growth and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, help to tackle climate change, and improve residents’ wellbeing. The council will receive a total of £18.604 million from the fund, as part of a successful £52.6 million bid made to government by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, on behalf of the region and its five local authorities. The fund will support:…

Business owners and community groups in Morley are being asked to step forward to help steer a major regeneration opportunity for the town. Morley is one of 101 places across the country invited to bid for up to £25m funding from the Government’s Towns Fund to support economic development and investment. Leeds City Council is leading the bid, and is recruiting to a new board that will help decide a Town Deal Investment Plan which will form the bid for funds. The Town Deal Board will play an important role in…

Local health leaders are raising awareness of the environmental and health benefits of infant feeding as well as the support available to mark World Breastfeeding Week. World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. Not everyone chooses to breastfeed, but there are many benefits for those who do. Infant feeding has long been recognised as having lasting health benefits to both mothers and babies by reducing the risk of…

As the charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals, we provide support for eight areas which include Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Children’s Hospital, Leeds Cancer Centre, St James’s University Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Seacroft Hospital, Wharfdale Hospital and Leeds Dental Institute. Our NHS hospitals in Leeds need you know more than ever before. Will you support your local hospitals and make a difference, by giving a monthly donation? By becoming a friend of Leeds Cares, the charity of Leeds Teaching Hospitals, your…

Work to transform Greek Street in Leeds city centre into a new-look pedestrianised space has been successfully completed. The project, carried out by Leeds City Council in partnership with businesses, on this popular street known for its bars, restaurants and cafes, has been given a modern, spacious new look, supporting a traffic free and inviting location for more people to enjoy. The transformation includes a new level surface of granite paving, new feature lighting, CCTV and a vehicle access control system. Whilst…

Leeds United have defended the decision to parade the Championship trophy on an open-top bus in front their supporters outside Elland Road. The newly-promoted club advised fans to stay away from the 4-0 win over Charlton, after which Marcelo Bielsa’s side were presented with the Championship trophy. Some supporters congregated outside Elland Road regardless and were able to watch the Leeds players and staff lift the trophy for them from an open-top bus. A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We were very clear…

Children’s play areas and playgrounds in Leeds will begin to reopen. The reopening programme is being done gradually to ensure they meet the requirements set out in the government guidelines around cleaning and social distancing to allow them to reopen safely. There are more than 200 play areas and outdoor gyms across Leeds with over 2,000 pieces of equipment. It will therefore take time to reopen all of the play areas and playgrounds, and Leeds City Council would like to thank the public for their patience during this…

A Leeds City Council service that has helped thousands of Leeds residents access work, training and education opportunities has launched a new website. Employment and Skills Leeds offers a range of free support services to people and businesses across the city. The team works with local communities, particularly in Leeds’s most deprived areas, and provides people looking for employment and skills opportunities with the right knowledge to succeed. The service also offers support to businesses to help them recruit, retain…

A proposed new free school to be known as Trinity Academy Leeds is planned to open in September 2021. Having been identified as an area of need for additional secondary school places, East Leeds will see the opening of a brand new secondary school, Trinity Academy Leeds in 2021. Due to the increased population in Leeds, particularly in young people of school age, there is a shortage of secondary school places which will last for the foreseeable future. Leeds City Council have acted swiftly to ensure that a brand new…

Response to government announcement of further £22.3million for flood prevention scheme in Leeds. The Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake has welcomed the announcement of further funding for the next phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme. The national announcement on funding for flood prevention work included a further £22.3million for the next phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme on the River Aire, subject to final business case approval. This funding, which includes an element (£1.3m)…

Leeds City Council is warning local residents not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date. Households across the city will start to receive their annual canvass letter this week and are being urged to check the details are correct. The annual canvass ensures that the council can keep the electoral register up to date, identifying any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so. Government changes this year mean that…

A World Cup winner and one-club man for Leeds United, Jack Charlton was the archetypal English centre-half; strong in the tackle, indomitable in the air and a leader in the heart of defence. With 773 appearances to his name, legendary defender Jack Charlton has the distinction of being Leeds United's all-time top appearance holder, a record that is likely to never be matched. A one club player, Jack enjoyed a 23 year spell with the Whites, winning First and Second Division titles, the FA Cup, League Cup, Charity Shield,…

A month on from Leeds City Council’s #8for8 initiative, civic leaders and Leeds sporting legends have come together and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to end racism and discrimination. Joining Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council and Tom Riordan, the council’s chief executive, to show their support to tackling racism and injustice are over 80 civic leaders representing key institutions and sectors including education, health, business, sport, the third sector, faith and the arts in the city.…

The Leader of Leeds City Council and executive member for culture, Councillor Judith Blake, has responded to an announcement from government that £1.57bn will be made available to help Britain’s arts, culture and heritage industries tackle the ongoing impact of coronavirus. Leeds has a thriving arts and culture sector from individual artists to nationally renowned museums and arts organisations and with creativity taking place in estates, classrooms and on stages. The broader creative industries provides for over 22,000…

Thousands of people across Leeds with health conditions are preparing for an easing of the severe restrictions they have been living with since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Over 45,000 people in Leeds have been advised to shield themselves in their own homes since March. The advice was given to people with a variety of health conditions that makes them ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ from coronavirus. They were initially told to stay at home at all times – not even to go outside for exercise – because of the high risks…

Political leaders in the Midlands and the North are demanding an early start to HS2 as new research shows the eastern leg of the line could create up to 150,000 jobs. They are pressing Prime Minister Boris Johnson to back his pledge to ‘build better, faster, greener’ by clearing the way for Phase 2b east of the high-speed network to begin ahead of schedule as they seek to revive regional economies in the wake of COVID-19. New figures show that the area linking Leeds and the East Midlands has seen a £58bn shortfall in…