#CouncillorJudithBlake

Apperley Bridge
12th February 2021
5 mins read

Planning application submitted and funding pledged for flood defence measures in west Leeds and Apperley Bridge, Bradford

Ambitious proposals to reduce flood risk in the River Aire catchment have been submitted to Leeds City Council and Bradford Council. The multi-million pound plans, developed by Leeds City Council, Bradford Council and Environment Agency, include a new flood storage area between Horsforth and Rawdon and flood defences at Apperley Bridge. The proposals are…
Leeds Civic Hall Millennium Square
29th January 2021
2 mins read

City lights up to remember COVID-19 victims

Buildings across Leeds city centre will light up this weekend to remember those who have tragically lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Saturday and Sunday will mark one year since the first cases were detected in the UK. In that time, the virus has sadly claimed the lives of more than 100,000…
Holocaust Memorial Day 2021
21st January 2021
2 mins read

Online civic remembrance event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

‘Be the light in the darkness’ is the theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day which, due to the current national lockdown, will be shown online on Sunday, January 24 from 2.00pm at www.leedstownhall.co.uk Members of the public are invited to join the event online from the safety of their homes to remember all the…
Dame Fanny Waterman
25th December 2020
1 min read

Dame Fanny Waterman 22 March 1920 – 20 December 2020

Dame Fanny Waterman, founder and President Emeritus of The Leeds International Piano Competition, died peacefully at her residential care home in Ilkley, Yorkshire at the age of 100. Born in Leeds (22 March, 1920), Dame Fanny Waterman founded the Leeds International Piano Competition in 1961 with her late husband Dr Geoffrey de Keyser and Marion…
Musicians from the Orchestra and Chorus of Opera North in Leeds Town Hall, Switch ON Season Launch, September 2020 credit Justin Slee
18th December 2020
5 mins read

Live music lives on at Leeds Town Hall during the 2020 pandemic

Despite two lockdowns and stringent restrictions between and since, Leeds Town Hall has enabled professional musicians, school children and audiences to rehearse, perform and enjoy live music throughout the pandemic, all within the COVID-safe environment of its magnificent and naturally airy surroundings. It is the only major venue in the UK to have been…
Leeds City
18th December 2020
2 mins read

Statement following government announcement that Leeds will stay in Tier 3

Everyone in Leeds can help to control the spread of COVID-19 by observing the latest restrictions and following the key guidelines. Remember, ‘Hands. Face. Space’: Hands – wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will…
Kirkstall Leeds
18th December 2020
5 mins read

Five years on from Storm Eva: flood defence schemes bring hope as part of city’s response against climate emergency

It was a storm that devastated homes and businesses, costing Leeds an estimated £36.8million. Five years on, a £112.1million scheme to better protect the A65 Kirkstall Road corridor and areas of Apperley Bridge is offering hope to 1,048 homes and 474 businesses, following a successful first year installing flood defences along the River Aire…
Lord Mayor signing Freedom of Entry
11th December 2020
3 mins read

Long-serving Leeds parachute regiment become first military unit in over 40 years to be recognised with city’s highest civic honour

The 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (4PARA) has been awarded the city’s highest civic honour in recognition of their many years of devoted service and historic association with Leeds. Established in 1942, 4PARA are the first military service unit to be bestowed with Honorary Freedom of Leeds since HMS Ark Royal received the honour…
Leeds City Council Budget
11th December 2020
2 mins read

Budget proposals for next financial year announced

Early budget proposals for 2021/22 presented to Leeds City Council’s executive board next week detail efforts to address a £119m deficit, but the tough decisions presented won’t be finalised until February. The funding gap for the next financial year was first reported to the board in September through a medium term financial plan. Thanks…
NHS Leeds
4th December 2020
2 mins read

Local contact tracing system to boost city’s fight against COVID-19

A new local contact tracing system for Leeds is set to boost the city’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. On Monday (November 30) the Leeds COVID-19 Connect and Support Service is being launched by Leeds City Council in partnership with Public Health England, enhancing ongoing work to protect residents and communities from…
Leeds City Council Budget
20th November 2020
2 mins read

Further proposed savings discussed by executive board as council continues to meet significant budgetary challenge

A report presented to Leeds City Council’s Executive Board today set out more savings proposals for the financial year 2021/22 in an attempt to address the significant impact of coronavirus and ongoing reductions in funding. It detailed the actions has started and proposed to address the financial gap for 2021/22 which is currently estimated…
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (REAP).
13th November 2020
3 mins read

Leaders rally together to help build a better tomorrow

Senior leaders from across the Leeds City Region have joined forces to provide urgent support for innovators and entrepreneurs who will be key to the recovery of our future economy. The ‘Build a Better Tomorrow’ challenge, part of the new BUILD programme, has been launched by the Leeds City Region cohort who participated in…
Leeds Community Foundation
6th November 2020
1 min read

Leeds businesses rally round to feed families during half-term

A city-wide project to ensure children do not go hungry has been hailed a great success. Families across the district have benefited from the Healthy Holidays Programme during October half-term. The scheme run by Leeds Community Foundation in partnership with Leeds City Council and other organisations provides children and families with access to meals…
National Lockdown
6th November 2020
4 mins read

National lockdown guidance and affected services

The Government has announced a new national lockdown with rules coming into force from Thursday November 5. For four weeks until Wednesday 2 December the Government is asking people to stay at home, except for specific purposes; not to gather with others they don’t live with, except for specific purposes and is closing some…