As the cost of living continues to impact so many households, this week-long programme of free events will give useful advice on a range of money matters to people in Leeds.
Organised by Leeds City Council with the Money and Pensions Service and other partners there is a series of free online webinars wth help and tips on subjects including keeping energy costs down, money and mental health, budgetting advice and handling financial difficulties.
Details of the programme and how to book can be found here
On Sunday April 23rd at 3pm there will be a test of the new UK emergency alerts system.
Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby.
In an emergency, your smartphone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.
The government does not need to know your phone number or location to send you an alert.
The alert on Sunday is just a test and so you do not need to do anything, in a real emergency you should follow the instructions that come with the alert.
It will only go to smartphones or tablets that work on 4g or 5g networks, so if you have an older phone it may not receive it.
When the test happens your device is likely to make a loud siren like sound, even if it’s set on silent and maybe vibrate. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.
If, for any reason, you do not want to receive the test alert please make sure your phone is switched off at 3pm on Sunday – you will not get the alert when it is switched back on.
The message that you will get (in England) is:
This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
This is a test. You do not need to take any action.
You WON’T be asked for your phone number, location or other details – beware scammers trying to take advantage
The alerts are sent by mobile phone masts, which can broadcast them to compatible devices in the surrounding area during an emergency.
This means the Government does NOT need your phone number, location or any other personal details to send you an emergency alert, and you DON’T need to download an app or sign up to receive them.
Scammers often exploit Government initiatives and other news items as a way to target people so be wary of suspicious texts, emails or other messages asking you to hand over your details.
Leeds City Council are planning major changes to the A660 as it comes through Headingley and Woodhouse.
If you want to look at these plans and give your thoughts there is a public consultation until Saturday 5th March
You can see the plans and have your say online by visiting this link or there are a number of drop in events around the area (note first one is today)
Thursday 16 February 2023, 3-7pm, St Chad’s Parish Centre, Otley Road, LS16 5JT.
Tuesday 21 February 2023, 3-7pm, HEART Centre, Bennett Road, LS6 3HN.
Saturday 25 February 2023, 1.30-4.30pm, St Augustine’s Wrangthorn Church, Hyde Park Terrace, LS6 1BJ.
Tuesday 28 February 2023, 10am-3:30pm, Room 6, Leeds University Union, Lifton Place, LS2 9JZ.
The aim of the plans are to address a high number of casualties along this route whilst providing safer, alternative travel options for Headingley and Hyde Park’s residents.
From LCC News : “Connecting Leeds, Leeds City Council’s Highways and Transport team, is asking for people’s thoughts on proposed improvements to the A660. The £10.4million plans, funded by Active Travel England, focus on the A-road from Shaw Lane junction (home to restaurants Salvo’s and Heaney & Mill) up to St Mark’s Road in Woodhouse (near to the University of Leeds’ Parkinson Building).
The A660 is a main road into and out of the city centre for motorised vehicles and people who walk, wheel or cycle, as well as a popular route for students living in the area accessing university and college campuses. It is one of the busiest cycle routes in Leeds with over 1,000 cyclists using it daily, however, it suffers from a high casualty rate with 172 casualties happening along this road during 2016-2021.
The proposed highways treatments to A660 Otley Road, Headingley Lane and Woodhouse Lane follow on from works that are currently being delivered to A660 Otley Road from Lawnswood roundabout to Shaw Lane junction. This was previously consulted on in March 2022 and is also funded by Active Travel England.
The current consultation focuses on:
A reduction of speed from 30mph to 20mph along the A660 Otley Road between Shaw Lane and St Michael’s Road.
Safety improvements where the A660 meets North Lane, Victoria Road, Hyde Park Road (Hyde Park Corner), Clarendon Road and St Mark’s Road junctions.
Continuous crossings along the A660 with other junctions, to give pedestrians and cyclists priority.
A diagonal crossing facility at North Lane junction, Leeds’ second diagonal crossing.
2-metre wide segregated cycle lanes both inbound and outbound along most of the route.
Widened footways along the route
Improved bus stops and shelters, including relocating some stops
Merging infrequently used bus shelters.
Closure of St Michael’s Road and Regent Park Avenue to motorised vehicles to prevent rat-running.
Improved landscaping and spaces along the route, including a more pleasant environment around the War Memorial on St Michael’s Road.”
As we enter the new year, we know that the increase in cost of living continues to touch many people, and some may only be starting to feel the impact.
We will continue to do all we can to support anyone affected. As well as our regular email updates, please remember you can visit our Cost of Living website for support and advice on housing, food, fuel and health, as well as details of events taking place across Leeds to support local residents.
Leeds City Council
Energy discount vouchers for pre-payment meters
If you use energy pre-payment meters, you should be receiving energy bill discount vouchers from the first week of the month, through either text, email or the post (using your registered contact details).
You will need to redeem these at your usual top-up point, such as your nearest PayPoint or Post Office branch.
Warm Spaces across Leeds offer a welcoming and safe warm place for anyone to use for free, particularly if you’re struggling with the cost of heating your home during cold weather. Opening hours have now returned to normal after the festive period.
A reminder that community hubs and libraries offer warm spaces and a warm welcome. You can also access additional services including help with job applications, claiming benefits you could be eligible for and money saving tips and budgeting. You can find your local community hub here.
A leading doctor in West Yorkshire is calling on people who haven’t yet had their flu and COVID vaccinations to come forward as soon as possible. You can read more here
Help with childcare costs
Over a million families in the UK are entitled to support with the cost of childcare from the government. Find out whether you’re eligible for tax-free childcare or 30 hours per week of free childcare at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Could you be a foster carer?
If you’re considering fostering, joining Foster4Leeds means you can help the council keep Leeds children in their local area, and you’ll receive a huge amount of support from our amazing fostering service and other local foster families.
For more information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/foster4leeds or to speak to a member of the Foster4Leeds team, call 0113 378 3538.
Free and low cost activities in Leeds
With the cost of living going up, many people are searching for fun things to do that won’t break the bank. For some inspiration, take a look here: Free and low-cost activities for people in Leeds
Leeds 2023 is a year-long celebration of culture. It kicked off earlier this month with The Awakening at Headingley Stadium, featuring music, poetry, dance, comedy and more. You can find out more about Leeds 2023 here.
And finally… Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield are made freemen of Leeds
This week Leeds added a new chapter to a remarkable story of courage and comradeship as the city awarded its highest civic honour to Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield.
Rugby league legends Rob and Kevin have both been given the freedom of Leeds in recognition of their heroic campaigning and fundraising for all those affected by motor neurone disease (MND).
Our first soup and a roll get-together was very well attended last week and everyone enjoyed the homemade carrot and coriander soup.
There’s another one today and every Wednesday until the end of March. At the Caring Together premises, 127 Woodhouse Street. Drop in any time between 11am and 2pm (soup usually served from around 12 noon) – or come and join us for the full 3 hours if you wish.
Warm soup, warm building and a warm welcome for all!
We won’t tell you what today’s soup is, you will have to come along to find out, but we are sure it will be delicious.
