This information could save your life

Picture caption: the A58 Wellington Road just before the New Wortley roundabout during flooding in August 2002


“Be prepared” – that is the message Leeds City Council is sending out in a practical guide to help residents anticipate and deal with major emergencies.

Over the years Leeds has experienced flooding, evacuations, chemical fires and infectious diseases.

Now thanks to the publication of a new handy booklet and pocket sized information card people can access detailed information quickly and easily about who to contact, what to do and how to prepare for a range of major emergency situations.

The Emergency Planning Information Brochure and Emergency Preparedness Information Cards can be picked up from public buildings across the city from one-stop-shops to libraries and schools.

Councillor Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council and executive member responsible for emergency planning, said:

“Clearly the nature of emergencies is that they can happen quickly and without warning causing serious harm or disruption to those directly affected. These easy-to-use guides will help people to be prepared should the worst happen.”

The guides promote the “Go in, stay in and tune in” mantra, which encourages people close to, but not involved in, an emergency to go inside a safe building, stay there until advised otherwise and tune into local radio stations for updates on the situation.

Also included is a helpful emergency planning kit which helps families and individuals identify what actions they might need to take in an emergency and provides them with a place to hold personal and external emergency contact numbers.

Leeds City Council plays a key role alongside emergency services, health services, Government agencies, utility companies and voluntary organisations to dealing with major emergencies. For more information please visit www.leeds.gov.uk/prepared

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For media enquiries please contact: Daniel Johnson, tel:01132478285email: Daniel.johnson1@leeds.gov.uk

Don't miss the census bus when it stops in Leeds

People who have questions about the upcoming census will be able to ask a team travelling the country in the purple double-decker bus from the TV adverts when it stops in Leeds on Sunday 27th February.

The bus will be parked on Briggate between 10am and 4pm.

The team onboard includes the area managers working in and around Leeds, community advisers for the Pakistani and Chinese communities, as well as speakers of Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, and Somali.

2011 Census area manager Elaine Thornton said:

“People can come along and have a chat with me and other members of the census team onboard the bus to ask any questions they may have about the upcoming census.”

The bus tour is also being supported by Leeds City Council. A spokesperson said:

"It is vital that anyone who lives or works in Leeds completes and returns their census form correctly. The census gives us accurate, relevant information on who needs facilities such as schools, hospitals and transport in Leeds."

The 2011 Census takes place on Sunday March 27. Questionnaires will begin dropping through letterboxes on March 7. It can be completed securely online via the census website at www.census.gov.uk or on paper and posted back in the pre paid envelope.

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Issued by Leeds City Council on behalf of the Office for National Statistics.

If you would like to send a photographer or reporter on the day please contact the 2011 Census press office on the number below.

Press Hotline: 01329 447654

Email: 2011censuspress@ons.gsi.gov.uk

Visit: www.census.gov.uk/2011press

Twitter: www.twitter.com/2011censuspress


Background notes:

About the census
1. The census provides an estimate of the population of England and Wales and is carried out every ten years by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The information given is confidential and is protected by law.
2. The statistics derived from the census underpin the allocation of important funding for necessary services like education, transport and health. They are also used by policy makers in central and local government to identify and understand the needs of communities.
3. In March 2011 each household in England and Wales will receive a questionnaire through the post. The questionnaires can then be completed and returned by post or using the new secure online questionnaire.
4. ONS is responsible for carrying out the census in England and Wales.
5. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for official statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference. © Crown copyright 2010
6. The 2011 Census will offer a wide range of fixed full and part-time temporary employment opportunities across England and Wales. Roles will range from full time managerial positions, to supervisory roles and community based ones which involve interaction with the public. Details of these roles and how to apply can be found on www.censusjobs.co.uk. All the latest recruitment updates can be found by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CensusJobs

Kids give east Leeds a spring clean

Caption: Junior wardens Tyler Horsfall, Shania McDonnell and Meghan Hughes

Children from schools in east Leeds picked up their litter grabbers yesterday (Monday 21 February) to give their local area a spring clean.

As part of fostering a sense of pride in their community, children from the east north east Leeds junior wardens scheme at Cross Gates Primary and Parklands Primary set to work on their very own community clean up operation.

They joined the East North East Homes Leeds (ENEHL) partnership team and members of Groundwork Leeds to blitz east Leeds of rubbish. They focussed on the Ramshead Hill area of Seacroft and to help clear up the estate, managing to collect over 20 bags of rubbish.

The junior wardens tackled various overgrown areas throughout the estate determined to make a difference in the way the community looked.

Angelena Fixter, chair of ENEHL said:

“The junior wardens take great pride in their local community but they’re fed up with the amount of litter on the streets. This clean up shows others that they care about the future of their local environment and that they are not prepared to live and play in an area that is blighted by rubbish.”

Alison Pearce, junior warden co-odinator said:

"I was really pleased that we were able to do the litter pick. Keeping on top of litter in our estates is difficult especially in the winter months when the wind blows it out of the bins! The children did very well to battle through the sleet, and we are very pleased with what we achieved.

“Lending a hand within our community is an area that we are good at as Junior Wardens and welcome new opportunities to do our best for others. We had a fantastic time picking up the litter and thoroughly enjoyed the satisfaction of a clean estate!"


Notes to Editors:

East North East Homes Leeds is one of three Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) 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. East North East Homes Leeds covers the areas of Boston Spa, Burmantofts, Chapel Allerton, Chapeltown, Collingham, Gipton, Halton Moor, Harehills, Linton, Meanwood, Moor Allerton, Moortown, Seacroft, and Wetherby.

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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