Changes to Bus Services in Woodhouse & Little London from Sunday 2nd April

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There are a number of changes to the bus services across Leeds from this Sunday – 2nd April. This will affect the current 51/52 service which runs through Woodhouse & Little London. This route is to be divided into 2 separate routes and so will no longer go through to Morley from this area.

The 51/52 route will run from Morley to Leeds City Centre and back only

A new service 38/39 will cover the route from Moor Allerton to Leeds City Centre (via Woodhouse & Little London). New service 38 will run via the old 51 route, and new service 39 will run via the 52 route.

They will all start and finish at Leeds Eastgate. The timetables can be found here: https://www.wymetro.com/buses/bus-timetables/

This and all the other changes to bus services are here: https://www.wymetro.com/media/9472/public-transport-changes-apr-2023-13807.pdf

Spring 2023 Newsletter

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Our latest newsletter is here along with some inserts, lots of information and upcoming activities, events and outings

You can also see previous newsletters here

Issue-99-Spring-2023

Winter-Warming-Soup-and-Roll-2023.

Skills-Share-April-to-June-2023

Standing-and-Seated-Pilates-April-2023

Coronation-Celebration-Afternoon-Tea-3rd-May-2023.-1

Dying-Matters-2023

Plans for changes in street design of A660 Otley Road, Headingley Lane and Woodhouse Lane

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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.”

The eligibility requirements for Warm Home Discount have changed this winter (2022-23)

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This may mean some of you will become eligible and in other cases some of you may not as you had done previously.

How is the scheme different from previous years?

One of the main changes is that households who meet the eligibility criteria are now guaranteed a payment. Previously, the scheme operated on a first come, first served basis, with only a limited number of discounts.

In addition, those who qualify no longer need to make an application. The discounts are made automatically.

However, the use of a high energy score for properties means that some of you may be less likely to qualify than in the past. In addition, fuel companies will no longer have the discretion to extend the discount to other groups who don’t get one of the means-tested benefits. In the past, some energy suppliers would allow families in receipt of Disability Living Allowance to apply, even if they were not on means-tested benefits. [Information sourced from: https://contact.org.uk/…/new-warm-home-discount-scheme…/]

If your property has a high energy cost score. You will only qualify if the government considers your property to have high energy costs.

In looking at this issue, the government will look at three main factors: the property type: its age; and its floor area. This will be made based on information about your property held by the Valuation Office Agency.

Where there are changes you are being asked to contact the helpline but we are being informed that when trying to make contact it can take ages to get through. We have even tried ourselves and it does take some time so please do persevere as you will get through at some point. They have said the best times to call are about 4pm.

I have noted below further information that might help. And as always if you need to get in touch with us then please do.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/warm-home-discount/

Information from Leeds City Council

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Cost of Living Support and Advice January 2023

Dear resident

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 

A graphic promoting the energy discount for people on pre-payment meters

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.

For more information on receiving the discount, visit the Energy Saving Trust website

A graphic promoting the 'warm spaces' in Leeds

Warm Spaces

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. 

To find your nearest Warm Spaces visit www.leeds.gov.uk/warmspaces

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. 

Free, confidential advice is also available from the Money Information Centres. 

‘Get jabbed’ plea from top doctor 

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

An image promoting the help available with childcare costs

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.

An image of Rob Burrow and his wife Lindsey

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).

You can read more here.

Warm soup, warm building and a warm welcome for all!

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Our doors will open at 11am until 2pm tomorrow and will be every Wednesday until the end of March for our ‘Winter Warmer’. So please call in, even if just for a cuppa, or some take away soup, or stay for the whole time if you you wish. We would love to see you.

Tomorrow: Wednesday 25th January 2023 there will also be some live music from 12.30pm thanks to the students of Leeds University LUU Music Impact in the Community – LUUMIC. They joined us in December and are looking forward to being with us again.

Venue: Caring Together premises, 127 Woodhouse Street.

Time: Drop in any time between 11am and 2pm (soup usually served from around 12 noon)

Warm Wednesdays – Soup and a roll

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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.