Leeds City Forum

15/06/2026

New Leeds Heritage Framework Celebrates City’s Independent Spirit. A new blueprint setting out how heritage can help shape the future of Leeds has been launched. Independent Spirit: A Heritage Framework for Leeds brings together organisations from across the city’s heritage sector to establish a shared vision for the years ahead. The framework outlines how the city’s heritage can bring people together, strengthen communities and play a more active role in the future development of Leeds. It was created through extensive collaboration with cultural and heritage organisations, while hundreds of residents from communities across the city also contributed their views. The document highlights the distinctive ‘ ’ at the heart of Leeds’ heritage and explores how the city’s history and identity can contribute to civic life, placemaking, wellbeing and economic growth. Partners involved in the project include the , the , and the , alongside the , and the https://leedsstar.co.uk/our-city/new-leeds-heritage-framework-celebrates-citys-independent-spirit/

25/04/2026

Ronnie the Rhino and Jen Graham to Join Russell Bear at Opening of Forget Me Not’s First Leeds Charity Shop. Leeds Rhinos mascot Ronnie the Rhino will join charity shop social media star Jen Graham and Forget Me Not Children's Hospice’s own Russell Bear for the opening of the charity’s first shop in Leeds. The new store will open in on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in the former Halifax bank building on Market Place. Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice supports babies and children with life-shortening conditions, as well as their families, across . Over the past year, the charity has supported 134 children, parents, siblings and grandparents from Leeds, providing care both at in and in families’ own homes. Among the special guests will be Jen Graham, better known online as ‘Charity Shop Girl’, who will be sharing the rummaging and styling tips that have helped her build a following of more than 200,000 across and . The new Pudsey shop marks an important milestone for as it expands its retail presence into Leeds, helping to raise vital funds for children and families who rely on the hospice’s care and support. Supporters, shoppers and families are being encouraged to visit the open day, meet , and , and browse the shop’s opening selection of donated goods https://leedsstar.co.uk/charity/ronnie-the-rhino-and-jen-graham-to-join-russell-bear-at-opening-of-forget-me-nots-first-leeds-charity-shop/

27/03/2026

Leeds Hospitals Charity opens Morley shop with a purpose. Leeds Hospitals Charity continues to make a profound difference to the lives of patients, families and NHS staff across the region, funding projects that go beyond standard hospital care and helping to create a more compassionate healthcare experience. Working alongside Leeds Teaching Hospitals, the charity raises money to support life-saving equipment, pioneering research, improved hospital environments and wellbeing initiatives for patients of all ages. Families who have benefited from the charity’s support have described its impact as ‘invaluable’, particularly during long hospital stays and periods of uncertainty. Staff also say the additional resources funded by the charity can have a lasting effect on both care and morale. The new shop located on Windsor Court Road offers a modern, welcoming space with high quality pre-loved fashion, homeware and bric-a-brac and more. It will be open seven days a week thanks to the support of dedicated volunteers. Leeds Hospitals Charity now has six charity shops across the region, each designed to help build community pride and create uplifting, meaningful spaces that reflect each local area. Funds raised through donations and purchases in store will directly the charity’s work supporting over one million patients cared for at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust every year. The charity is encouraging people in the local area to donate their pre-loved treasures to the shop and to enquire online or instore around volunteer opportunities https://leedsstar.co.uk/charity/leeds-hospitals-charity-opens-morley-shop-with-a-purpose/

20/03/2026

Starting today, Beryl e-scooters will be available to use across Leeds - with 100 e-scooters ready for you to hop on and use across the same area as our LNER Beryl Bikes 🛴

To ride the e-scooters, riders must be over 18 with a valid driving licence (full or provisional).

✅ Mandatory in-app training will be available before your first use
✅ Insurance is included in the hire
✅ Helmets aren't provided but are recommended to make sure you're staying safe
✅ Maximum speed of 15mph
✅ E-scooters will be geo-fenced, meaning they will automatically reduce speeds or stop working in defined pedestrian areas

And as a reminder - private e-scooters aren't allowed on the public highway in Leeds. Only Beryl electric scooters can be used as part of the trial scheme.

For more information and to download the the Beryl app, visit the link in the comments 👇

17/03/2026

West Yorkshire leaders approve £200m investment package for transport, housing and jobs. West Yorkshire leaders have approved a major investment package worth more than £200 million to deliver a new wave of transport, housing and economic projects across the region. Mayor Tracy Brabin and the leaders of West Yorkshire’s five councils signed off the funding at a meeting of the Combined Authority, backing schemes aimed at improving transport connections, unlocking new housing, supporting business growth and creating jobs in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. The package includes investment in better roads, walking and cycling routes, new business space and major regeneration projects, as well as support for long-term housing growth. Leaders said the funding would help transform communities across West Yorkshire while strengthening the region’s economy and making it a better place to live, work and do business https://leedsstar.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-leaders-approve-200m-investment-package-for-transport-housing-and-jobs/

West Yorkshire leaders have approved a major investment package worth more than £200 million to deliver a new wave of transport, housing and economic projects across the region. Mayor Tracy Brabin and the leaders of West Yorkshire’s five councils signed off the funding at a meeting of the Combine...

17/03/2026

Leeds City Council celebrates strong German ties after councillor receives friendship award. Leeds City Council is celebrating its long-standing links with the German cities of Dortmund and Siegen after a long-serving councillor was honoured with a German-British Friendship Award. The award was presented to Councillor Robert Gettings MBE JP in recognition of his commitment to the Morley-Siegen partnership for more than 60 years and his role in strengthening ties between communities in Leeds and Germany. The relationship between Leeds and its German partner cities dates back to the post-war years of the 1950s, when towns and cities across Europe began forming twinning arrangements to promote peace, friendship and mutual understanding https://leedsstar.co.uk/our-city/leeds-city-council-celebrates-strong-german-ties-after-councillor-receives-friendship-award/

17/03/2026

Leeds City Council election 2026: Key dates and what voters need to know. Leeds City Council has released the key dates and information voters need to know ahead of this year’s local elections. People across the city will go to the polls on Thursday 7 May to elect 33 councillors, one for each ward in Leeds. Votes will then be counted, with the results due to be announced on Friday 8 May. One of the most important deadlines is for voter registration. Anyone not already registered must do so by midnight on Monday 20 April. This also applies to anyone who has recently moved house and needs to register at a new address. Voters are also being urged to decide how they want to cast their ballot, either in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote on their behalf, known as a proxy vote https://leedsstar.co.uk/politics/leeds-city-council-election-2026-key-dates-and-what-voters-need-to-know/

Leeds City Council has released the key dates and information voters need to know ahead of this year’s local elections. People across the city will go to the polls on Thursday 7 May to elect 33 councillors, one for each ward in Leeds. Votes will then be counted, with the results due to be announce...

17/03/2026

Leeds approves 10-year plan to drive affordable housing growth. Senior councillors have approved a new 10-year strategy aimed at driving affordable housing growth across Leeds. The Leeds Affordable Housing Strategy 2026-2036 was signed off by the council’s executive board and sets out a long-term vision for meeting housing need through innovation, partnership working and investment. It builds on the success of the council’s previous housing growth action plan, under which almost 1,900 affordable homes were delivered in Leeds between 2022 and 2025. Many of those homes were for social rent, with around a quarter built or acquired directly by the council. Just under 40 per cent of the homes delivered during that period came through registered providers and third sector partners, while a further 35 per cent were secured through planning agreements between private developers and the council https://leedsstar.co.uk/homes/leeds-approves-10-year-plan-to-drive-affordable-housing-growth/

Senior councillors have approved a new 10-year strategy aimed at driving affordable housing growth across Leeds. The Leeds Affordable Housing Strategy 2026-2036 was signed off by the council’s executive board and sets out a long-term vision for meeting housing need through innovation, partnership ...

17/03/2026

Leeds summit sets stage for new era of council housing growth. Leeds hosted a major national summit on council housing, bringing together political leaders, senior local authority officers and housing figures to discuss the future of the sector. The 2026 Securing the Future of Council Housing Summit, held at Leeds City Museum and the Carriageworks Theatre, brought together around 200 representatives from central government, councils, charities and other key organisations. Organised by Leeds City Council in partnership with Southwark Council and Sheffield City Council, the one-day event focused on how council housing can be placed on a firmer long-term financial footing while meeting growing demand for safe, affordable homes https://leedsstar.co.uk/homes/leeds-summit-sets-stage-for-new-era-of-council-housing-growth/

Leeds hosted a major national summit on council housing, bringing together political leaders, senior local authority officers and housing figures to discuss the future of the sector. The 2026 Securing the Future of Council Housing Summit, held at Leeds City Museum and the Carriageworks Theatre, brou...

17/03/2026