Community engagement sessions for east Leeds

Residents will be given the chance to speak up about what they would like to see happen in their communities in inner east Leeds at four upcoming community engagement events.

Organised by the Inner East Area Committee covering east Leeds, the events will be attended by local ward councillors and staff from council services, neighbourhood policing teams and East North East Homes.

The events will help the area committee agree a plan for the year ahead and decide how local budgets will be spent. This could include activities for young people, actions to help make neighbourhoods cleaner and safer, or opportunities for community activities.

The same events held this time last year came up with ideas such as an extended holiday programme for children and young people, property marking schemes to prevent theft, action on drugs and anti-social behaviour, and investment in local community centres, amongst many others.

Councillor Brian Selby, chair of the inner east Leeds area committee said:
“These events provide a great opportunity for local communities to come together and discuss plans for their local area with their area committees. The events provide very useful local information for the area committees and how they can work with communities to introduce new initiatives for the future.”

The events are also themed around the 2010 Leeds Year of Volunteering, so residents will also have the opportunity to speak to other local people who give their time up to make the areas a better place.

The drop-in style events will take place in Seacroft and Harehills and forum meetings will be organised for Burmantofts and Richmond Hill on the following dates:

Seacroft event – Thursday 25 February 2010; 3.30 – 5.30pm at the Kentmere Community Centre, Kentmere Avenue. The event will include a debating room, free fire safety advice and information on children centre services

Richmond Hill forum – Monday 1 March 2010; 6.00 – 8.00pm at Victoria primary school, Ivy Avenue. The event will include discussion on police priorities and updates from Friends of East End Park

Burmantofts forum – Tuesday 2 March 2010; 7.00 – 9.00pm at St Cyprian’s church hall, Coldcotes avenue. The event will discuss the agreement of the latest local Police and Communities Together priorities

Harehills event –Monday 8 March 2010; 3.30 – 6.00pm at Shine, Harehills Rd. The event will include an arts exhibition displaying local school children’s work and chance to meet your local police team

A similar event in Gipton has already taken place which included a lively debate on the use of public spaces in Gipton and what local activities residents want to see in summer.

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For media enquiries, please contact;
Cat Milburn, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 247 4450
Email: Catherine.milburn@leeds.gov.uk