Comment regarding meeting with the trade unions - 12 November 2009

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman, said:

“The trade unions have suggested some fundamental changes to the pay and grading structure. Clearly these changes can’t be considered lightly, it is complex and requires legal and financial advice.

“We can’t rush this work, and they too have acknowledged that more time is needed to fully explore their proposals and check both the affordability and potential legal risks. We have committed to speaking with them again on Monday and will be meeting with them again as soon as possible next week.”

 

ENDS

Posted via web from Leeds City Council

German Christmas market ready for Leeds return

Caption: The German Christmas market is back on Millennium Square

The spirit of Christmas will be firmly in evidence in Leeds city centre from this week as the hugely popular Christkindelmarkt returns to Millennium Square.

The day after the official Christmas lights switch-on, Millennium Square will be transformed into a small slice of Germany from Friday 13th November as over 40 German traders bring their traditional wooden chalet stalls to Leeds.

Running through to Sunday 20th December, the market will be offering a range of seasonal gift ideas for everyone on their stalls such as handcrafted toys, jewellery and Christmas decorations, as well as speciality foods and traditional German delicacies.

The Christkindelmarkt has become synonymous over the years with the warming drink Gluhwein, enjoyed from the popular ‘Kuh Stall’, while the centrepiece of the market is the ‘Frankfurter Scheune’ – a handcrafted authentic bierkeller which serves speciality German beers and traditional German food such as Bratwurst and Goulash. These can be enjoyed whilst listening to nightly musical entertainment from a live German show band and ‘Herr Jens Bavarian Oompah Band’.

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Media are invited to a photocall to officially open the German Christmas market at 4:30pm on Friday 13th November. Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Judith Elliott will be in the bierkeller at the centre of the market to perform the traditional 'tapping' of the barrel and pulling the first pint of German beer. All media are welcome to attend.
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Now in its 8th year, Christkindelmarkt is organised by Leeds City Council in conjunction with Frankfurt City Council with support from media partners Real Radio and the Yorkshire Evening Post and is one of the largest authentic German Christmas markets in the UK.

Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure Councillor John Procter said:

“The Christkindelmarkt has proved itself to be a great attraction for Leeds – people come from miles around to see it as it offers a magical ‘feelgood’ slice of the Christmas spirit. People eagerly look forward to its return every year and we cannot wait to see it being set up and open again for everyone to enjoy.”

Aside from the market there are also a selection of family funfair rides from the traditional carousel to the dodgems offering fun for all ages.

The market and funfair is open daily from 10.30am to 9pm on Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 8pm on Sunday. The ‘Frankfurter Scheune' bierkeller and selected stalls are open late until 11.00pm.

Managing Director of Real Radio Yorkshire Steve South said:

“Real Radio are delighted to be part of the German Christmas Market. It gives people from all around the opportunity to buy some really unique gifts for Christmas or to stroll around and drink in the festive atmosphere.”

The ‘Frankfurter Scheune’ is also available for office gatherings and Christmas parties with advanced bookings available for small or large groups Monday to Thursday evenings (subject to availability). For further reservation information and to make a booking email reservation@frankfurter-scheune.com

For more information, call Leeds City Council’s Events team on 0113 395 0891 or visit www.leeds.gov.uk/christmasmarket

For further information of what’s on and your essential guide on where to travel, shop, play and stay in Leeds during the festive season, visit www.festiveleeds.com

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde, Learning and Leisure Media Relations Officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472, Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk

Intensive road safety training for young pupils

Caption: Learning about seat belt safety


Caption: Youngsters being taught how to cross the road safely


Caption: Pupils at St Patrick's Catholic Primary School enjoying their pedestrian training

The council’s road safety team will be delivering an intensive course of road safety education and training to children at a group of Leeds primary schools during November.

Due to the large number of child pedestrian casualties in the area, pupils at nine schools will receive an intensive programme of assemblies, classroom based sessions and practical outdoor activities to make sure that they have the skills and knowledge to keep them safer when out and about near the roads.

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Media are invited to St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School at 10am on Friday 13th November to film/photograph a group of children taking part in practical road safety training. Road safety officers and school staff will be available for interviews.
Please contact Claire Macklam to arrange attendance.
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Susan Kneeshaw, headteacher of St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School said:
“Our children’s safety is really important to us, so we were really concerned to hear that child road casualties in the area had increased.

“This initiative will provide a direct focus on road safety for our school and others in the local area, and send a strong message out to our children and their parents about how they can keep safe whilst out and about near the roads.”

Councillor Stuart Andrew, lead member responsible for road safety said:
“One of the roles of our road safety team is to monitor the number of child pedestrian casualties in the city. This way they can target their training to the areas where it is needed the most.

“The priority area initiative uses data to target areas where children are most at risk of road injury. It is an intensive programme that delivers road safety education to every child through sessions in schools that are designed to be fun and interactive whilst providing a vital road safety message.

“We hope that this will have a positive effect on the number of child road casualties in the area.”

People can help to reduce the number of child road casualties by:
* Slowing down when driving; especially in areas where there are likely to be pedestrians (residential areas, near parks, shops and schools etc)
* Finding a safe place to cross the road;
* Hold hands with younger children;
* Always use seatbelts and child seats for every journey no matter how short;
* Never use your mobile phone whilst driving; and
* Alway set a safe example for your child - remember you are their biggest influence and they are likely to copy your behaviour.

ENDS
Additional info
Schools taking part in the priority area initiative in November 2009 are:
Mount St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, All Saints C of E Primary School, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Ebor Gardens Primary School, Brownhill Primary School, Victoria Primary School, Richmond Hill Primary School, Shakespeare Primary School and Children’s Centre and St Peter’s C of E Primary

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk

Everybody needs good neighbours

Imagine a neighbourhood where every resident came together and agreed how they would all keep their community together, safe and thriving.

Well that’s what people in Little London and Kirkstall have done, and neighbours across west and north west Leeds could soon follow – thanks to innovative Good Neighbour Agreements.

West North West Homes Leeds, one of the organisations that manage and maintain council housing in Leeds on behalf of Leeds City Council, has launched the agreements as a way of creating more harmonious communities

The agreements, devised by residents, set out guidelines for good neighbourly conduct – everything from the environment to noise nuisance, from parking to keeping pets.

Tenants and residents associations across west and north west Leeds distributed suggestion forms so each community member, no matter how young or old, got the opportunity contribute to each area’s final agreement.

It is hoped that each community’s agreement will create a greater sense of community spirit and consideration for the local environment.

Cathy Clelland, chair of the West North West Homes Leeds, board, said:
“Wherever you live, you want to live in a pleasant neighbourhood where people look out for one another – that’s what the Good Neighbour Agreements are there to do.
“This isn’t about a legal contract that people have to abide by, it’s about communities coming together and agreeing what constitutes good neighbourly behaviour. This is a positive way of reinforcing the idea that good communities are created by the people who live in them.
“These agreements have the potential to positively change communities across our area and make our neighbourhoods better and nicer places to live.”

Notes to editors
West North West Homes Leeds is one of three Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMO) which manage and maintain council housing on behalf of Leeds City Council. It is wholly owned by the council, which retains ownership of housing stock and sets rents.

West North West Homes Leeds covers the areas of Otley, Pool, Bramhope, Guiseley, Yeadon, Cookridge, Rawdon, Holt Park. Tinshill, Horsforth, Kirkstall, Burley, Armley, Bramley, Pudsey, Woodhouse, Wortley, Farnley, and New Farnley.

ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Michael Molcher, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 224 3937
Email: michael.molcher@leeds.gov.uk