Lord Mayor 2023 – 2024 Councillor Al Garthwaite

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Lord Mayor of Leeds for 2023-2024 is none other than our chairperson Councillor Al Garthwaite

Al was officially appointed at the Full Council AGM yesterday here she is resplendent in her robes.

Congratulations Al from Caring Together – we know you will do a good job!

Official portrait photograph of Councillor Al Garthwaite in ceremonial robes

Picture above and text below from https://www.leeds.gov.uk/Pages/Lord-Mayor-of-Leeds

“Councillor Al Garthwaite is the 129th person to hold the Office of Lord Mayor of Leeds.

Al grew up in an army family and moved frequently, including to Germany, Turkey and Wales. After school, and a stint as Assistant Matron in a boys’ school, she studied English and Psychology at Durham University. It was here she became involved in international and local campaigns for human rights and social justice.

In 1973, Al came to Leeds, where her mother’s family originated. She lived in Chapeltown, in a communal house of children and adults. Enthusiastic for lifelong learning, she qualified as a teacher, taught in prisons and pioneered women’s health courses in inner-city community centres. She participated in the creation of a national Women’s Advice and Referral Service, producing a fortnightly newsletter for information and political discussion.

Wishing to use her varied skills and experience for the benefit of the city she’s made her home for the last fifty years, Al has been an elected Councillor for Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse since 2016. As well as striving for the increased wellbeing of her ward and its residents, especially during the current cost of living crisis, she focuses on environment, climate change, arts and culture, community safety, planning, licensing, and working for an end to violence against women and girls.

Al is extremely honoured to have been chosen as the Lord Mayor of Leeds and is very much looking forward to her year in Office.

Role and responsibilities

As the first citizen of Leeds, the role of the Lord Mayor is to act as an ambassador for the City, meeting with citizens and communities and welcoming visiting dignitaries from home and abroad. The Lord Mayor holds a ceremonial, diplomatic role, meaning that they cannot engage in political or Ward matters during their time in office. They are not an elected Mayor and therefore have no influence over policy and decision making.”

Coronation Celebration

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It was standing room only for a while at our Celebration Afternoon Tea this week!

Members enjoyed afternoon tea and we were entertained with live music thanks to students from Leeds University (LUUMIC)

As always, this was a communal effort, involving members and volunteers as well as our staff. Making decorations and setting up the space, contributing home made scones, cakes and coronation trifle, preparing food on the day as well as serving and keeping on top of the mountain of washing up, donating prizes and lots of other things to be used on the day, and turning up to support us. Everyone had a part to play.

We had several skill share sessions leading up to the event and this produced decorations for our window and tables.

May Day Bank Holiday

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We will be closed on Monday 1st May for the May Day Bank Holiday

We are back on Tuesday 2nd and there’s plenty going on:

Tuesday:11.30am-12.30pm  1.30-2.30pmDance Fusion at Lovell Park Hub Drop in coffee at Caring Together premises
Wednesday:11.00am – 12.30pm
1.00-3.00pm		Coronation Skill Share at Caring Together premises Coronation Celebration Afternoon Tea at Caring Together premises
Thursday:11.00am – 12.30pmDying Matters “Let’s Talk About It” Coffee Morning at Caring Together premises
Friday:1.30 -2.30pmGentle exercise at Woodhouse Community Centre

First 2023 cost of living payments from today

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For people on Pension Credit and other low income benefits

The first of a number of cost of living payments for 2023 will be paid between 25th April and 17th May 2023, although most people are expected to receive it by 4th May. This first payment is £301 and you do not need to apply -you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits if you qualify.

You should get this payment if you are entitled to one of the following benefits:

  • Pension credit
  • Income-related employment and support allowance
  • Income support
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
  • Universal credit (providing you didn’t have a ‘nil’ award)

If you get child tax credit or working tax but don’t also get one of the above benefits, you should still get the payment but it will arrive in your account between 2nd and 9th May

You need to have been entitled to it for at least one day during the qualifying period, which is between 26 January 2023 and 25 February 2023.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment#low-income-benefits-and-tax-credits-cost-of-living-payment

If you are over state pension age and on a low income but do not already get pension credit it is worth checking if you are entitled to claim as soon as possible – pension credit can be backdated for 3 months so if you make a successful claim now (before 19th May) you would then also be entitled to this cost of living payment. You can check this online https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator or call the pension credit helpline 0800 99 1234

Emergency Alert Test – this Sunday at 3pm

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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.

Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

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.