Money paid to the council by housing developers will help pay for the expansion of three West Leeds schools, a council report has said this week.
Council chiefs have retrospectively agreed to fund £153,137 the expansion of both Farsley Westroyd and Farsley Springbank Primary Schools, which were carried out in 2015.
The scheme cost for Farsley Westroyd was £2.344m and for Farsley Springbank was £4.467m. Both were financed at the time by grant funding as part of the council’s capital programme.
They also agreed £93,300 of funding towards the costs of the £5.36m expansion project at Leeds West Academy, off Intake Lane.
The money comes from a ‘section 106’ contribution towards education provision from developers Harron Homes, who have built houses near the Ring Road and Calverley Lane.
Armley Festival aims to draw the crowds in 2023. Photo: Mat Dale
By Fran Graham
ARMLEY Festival is back!
The community and arts festival run by Armley Action Team in collaboration with local organisations, groups and residents will take place on Armley Moor on Saturday, 9 September between 12-6pm.
Organisers are asking residents to get involved in shaping this year’s festival by joining a Festival Action Team to help plan the event.
Armley-based makers, crafters, artists, food producers, and local community groups or organisations can book a stall at the Festival by contacting armleyfest@gmail.com.
Last year’s festival welcomed 3,000 attendees.
Fun and games at last year’s Armley Festival. Photo: Mat Dale
Fran Albrecht, Festival Coordinator at Armley Action Team, said: “I’m really looking forward to organising the Festival again.
“We hope to take people on a daft and delightful adventure that shines a positive light on the area we love and all it has to offer.”
Armley legend Mik Artistik at last year’s event. Photo: Mat Dale
Louise Megson, chair of Armley Action Team also said: “People are facing tough times every day, so reasons to be cheerful, and to celebrate really matter.
“The festival is an important opportunity to have fun together, find out about local groups, and experience Armley’s creative talent. Please get involved by contributing ideas and help us make it the best yet.”
The event is funded by Leeds City Council’s inner west community committee and support from local voluntary group Armley Common Rights Trust, who look after the moor.
Leeds’ top Conservative has retired as the party’s group leader on Leeds City Council after 40 years in the role.
Councillor Andrew Carter (Calverley & Farsley ward) has led the local Tories since 1983 and served as Leeds’ joint council leader between 2004 and 2010, when the Conservatives led the city in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
Councillor Carter will continue in his role as a ward councillor for Calverley and Farsley, having been re-elected for a four-year term in 2022.
He has been succeeded by his deputy, Wetherby councillor Alan Lamb, who confirmed the news on social media.
Councillor Carter, 74, is Leeds’ longest-serving city councillor of any party, having been first elected in 1973.
Andrew Carter will continue as a councillor in Calverley & Farsley.
He departs after a bruising local election for the Conservatives, in which they lost three of the seven seats they were defending. His retirement is known to have been planned for several months regardless of the election results and was first reported by WLD in January.
Paying tribute to his predecessor, Councillor Lamb said: “Councillor Carter’s done a remarkable job, especially when you think Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister and Ronald Reagan was President when he started as leader.
“He’s led our group formidably and was a brilliant leader of the council.
“There are many things you can point to by way of a legacy, but delivering the Leeds Arena is a fitting one, because we wouldn’t have had that if he’d not been leader of the council.
“I don’t think there’s a person anywhere in the city who wouldn’t think that was a good idea now.”
Councillor Lamb, who was first elected in Wetherby in 2007, said he was proud to take on the role of Opposition leader and said he was “looking forward to the challenge”.
His promotion comes at a difficult time for the Conservatives nationally and in Leeds, with the party now holding just 18 seats on the city council – the fewest it’s had in nearly a decade.
But Councillor Lamb said his first job was to set out a “positive vision of what we would do if we were in charge of the council”.
He added: “One of my critisms of the current administration is the negativity and the doom-saying, because that starts to feed into the psyche. We should be talking the city up and being positive about what we can do with the still very siginficant resources we have available as an authority.”
A man was found dead in his van by police yesterday after emergency services were called to the junction of Blue Hill Lane and Windmill Rise in Wortley.
The discovery was made by officers from West Yorkshire Police at 5.40pm yesterday (Wednesday, May 17).
His death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
Police say they were called after residents reported concerns for his safety. A cordon was put in place, which has now been lifted. Ambulance and fire service crews were also present.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Police are appealing for information to help locate teenager Rita Nwqachuku, who has connections to Pudsey and was last seen in the Leeds area.
Rita, aged 15, was last seen at 8.20am yesterday morning (Wednesday, 17 May 2023) in Leeds city centre and has connections to Pudsey, Headingley, Hyde Park, and Leeds city centre, as well as Skipton in North Yorkshire.
She is described as a 5ft 6ins tall female with short afro hair. Rita, from Bradford, was last seen wearing a pink hairband, pink teddy bear jacket with no hood, pink trainers and black leggings carrying a pink corduroy rucksack.
Anyone who thinks they may have seen Rita or knows of her whereabouts is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 or go online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat quoting reference 1865 of 16/5.
Ofsted praise: Pudsey Lowtown Primary School. Photo: Google
Lowtown Primary School in Pudsey continues to be a good school, Ofsted inspectors have said.
Inspectors said leaders are highly ambitious for pupils in the Kent Road school, which is reflected in the curriculum that leaders have developed.
“Pupils enjoy their learning in this school,” the Oftsed report says. “The curriculum is being regularly refined and improved. Leaders are ambitious for pupils academically and in relation to their personal development.
“Pupils know they are cared for. As one pupil said, ‘All the teachers are there for you. They really care’.”
There is also a clear focus on the teaching of early reading, inspectors say.
In terms of improvements, inspectors note the checks leaders make on their curriculum subjects do not always focus on the way the curriculum is being taught to the pupils who are in danger of falling behind, including those pupils with SEND. As a result, tasks in some lessons are not structured as precisely as they could be to support these learners to be more successful.
Volunteers were out in force across Leeds working to improve the River Aire.
Students from the University of Leeds joined community and environmental groups as part of the Aire Rivers Trust’s “Our Clean River” event.
This event saw a dozen river cleans stretching from Skipton to Leeds.
In Leeds, TCV Skelton Grange’s Green Team, Friends of the Aire, students from the University of Leeds, Horsforth Litter Pickers and members of Bradford’s Dawoodi Bohras community were out collecting litter along their stretches of river.
The events are particularly important as the falling Winter levels leave the banks strewn with litter, wet wipes from sewer overflows and fly tipping. Left uncollected they will break down into micro plastics that are eaten by wildlife and damage the river ecosystems.
Simon Watts, from the Aire Rivers Trust, said: “It’s great to see so many groups that are proud of their stretch of the river who want to help it continue to become healthier and home to more wildlife.
“The river Aire forms a wonderful green corridor through our city. Whether it’s to fish or to walk many people have a close connection to our river and find an enjoyable and rewarding place to visit. Events like this area great opportunity to meet new groups working towards a shared goal.”
The Aire Rivers Trust takes volunteers out on Thursdays and Fridays each week to care for the river. They carry out a variety of tasks from litter picks and tree planting, to caring for riverside spaces for nature.”
Just over 600 would-be-voters across Leeds were turned away at polling stations for not having valid ID at the local elections earlier this month.
The elections were the first in the UK which required people to show a passport, driving licence, or other form of identification before they crossed their ballot papers.
Leeds City Council figures showed 601 residents were initially turned away from polling stations on May 4. More than a third of those – 225 – didn’t return to vote.
Across the city, turnout at the elections was 31.2 per cent, down from 33.7 per cent in 2022.
Although that small drop was reflected across most of the 33 wards in the city, in Beeston and Holbeck turnout was down by nearly a fifth, to 21.4 per cent.
Reacting to the figures, council leader James Lewis said he believed the ID rules had discouraged people from voting and accused the government of “poor communication” over the change.
Ministers said the new requirements were needed to crack down on voter fraud. But critics have pointed to figures showing there were just seven allegations of fraud at polling stations last year, none of which led to prosecution.
Councillor Lewis said: “It was very clear to those of us that were out campaigning on election day that a lot of people weren’t even going to go to the polling station because of the ID issue.
“I’m sure that over a long time the number of cases of voter fraud across the country is fewer than the 600 people in Leeds who were turned away.
“In some cases people had the wrong information about whether or not they could vote, and some people just hadn’t heard about it at all, so it’s a poor communication effort from the government.”
The Electoral Commission said it would look closely at the impact of the new policy, which has divided opinion amongst politicans and the public.
Although a council report before the election said police were preparing for “potential unrest” at polling stations in the city, no reports have surfaced of any aggression or violence towards local staff on May 4.
On polling day itself, voters in Guiseley who spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) were split on the new rule.
While some said they felt reassured by being asked to prove their identity, others argued it was an unnecessary measure that could discourage other voters.
And earlier this week, senior Conservative Jacob Rees-Mogg suggested the government’s policy had backfired on the Tories.
Speaking at a conference in London, he said: “We found the people who didn’t have ID were elderly and they by and large voted Conservative, so we made it hard for our own voters and we upset a system that worked perfectly well.”
Relieved: Farsley Celtic boss Russ Wilcox. Photo: Simon Cullingworth
By John Baron
Russ Wilcox has quit Farsley Celtic as manager, less than a month after successfully steering the club away from relegation from the National League North for the second season running.
His departure was confirmed by the club this afternoon.
In a statement issued to the League Managers’ Association, Wilcox thanked the club for the opportunity to manage them.
“To go back to where it all started for me in non-league football was a fresh and exciting challenge,” Wilcox said. “My first task after taking over in late January 2022 was to try to retain National League North status, with the team having not won in the previous three months and sitting firmly bottom of the league.
“We had to find ways to win football matches and accumulate enough points to earn the right to stay in that league. Thankfully, we ground out results against all the odds and achieved safety on the last day of the season, and we celebrated as if we had won promotion!
Russ Wilcox and defender Adam Clayton. Photo: John McEvoy
“In the 2022-2023 season we again managed to fight off the threat of relegation, finally finishing fifth bottom with our hard working and committed semi-professional squad.
“It doesn’t matter at what level you’re working at, the thrill and spirit of football remains the same across the levels from the Premier League to local grassroots leagues, and the feeling of retaining National League North status for all at the club for each of these two years has been fantastic.
“In addition, in 2022-2023 we reached the FA Trophy Quarter-Final stage, unfortunately being knocked out on penalties. This is the furthest that the club has ever progressed in this competition, and we were the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
“This was all testament to the hard work of all concerned, competing against professional and hybrid clubs with much bigger squads and budgets at their disposal. I am immensely proud of the team spirit we built with our semi-professional players and the memories we created for our loyal fans.
“It is now time for the next chapter for me. I have loved my time at Farsley and the opportunities that it has given me. It makes the job so very worthwhile to see players like the experienced Andy Butler with 700 league games fight like it’s his last ever game and to nurture the development of young loan players from the EFL in the tough world of non-league football, hopefully giving them the experience and a firm foundation for a career in football.
“A huge thank you to my assistant Steve Thornber and all the staff who have worked with me at training and on match days, you have all been a great support.
“And to all those who give their own time to enable the football club to operate on a day to day basis, what dedication and commitment you show for your football club; again, thank you. Finally, thank you to our fabulous squad of players and fans for giving everything to make this season a successful one for the club. Up the Celts.”
Russ Wilcox (right) with CEO Josh Greaves when he was unveiled in February 2022.
As reported by WLD, dedicated volunteer Caroline Harriman – who had played a key role as Head of Football Administration at Farsley since 2019 and had occupied a number of roles since 2015 – had already stepped down at the end of last season.
Both departures leave The Celts with a lot of work to do ahead of the new season, which starts in August.
Like many other clubs, Farsley struggled with cash flow last season, with players being paid late on several occasions.
Fans paid tribute to Wilcox’s achievements in keeping the team up for two season’s running on social media.
One fan posted: “Absolutely gutted. A great man and manager. We almost certainly wouldn’t be in this league without him.”
“Gutted for us but not a surprise,” another added. “He’s been fantastic and we have been lucky to have him.”
“A great genuine guy, one the club didn’t deserve and a massive loss,” said one fan.
Farsley Celtic’s The Citadel ground.
UPDATE: 7.55pm: A statement by the club said: “Russ came into the club at a difficult time and was the pivotal figure in keeping the club in the National League North in his first season.
“Last season saw an exciting run in the FA Trophy and some great performances in the league that ultimately ended in us securing our National League North status again.
“As ever, there will be multiple rumours surrounding the reasons behind Russ’s departure, but the club can confirm that there has been no fallout or disagreements. Russ leaves the club with the best wishes of the board and thanks for his efforts and professionalism, and he will always be welcome at The Citadel.
“We wish him every success in the next step of his journey!”
Mobile phone antennas aimed at improving mobile phone coverage in Pudsey could be installed at Grade II Listed Pudsey Parish Church.
Plans have been submitted by UK mobile infrastructure services company Cornerstone for the replacement and upgrade of four antennas and the installation of four new antennas in the church tower, off Church Lane.
A planning statement accompanying the application states: “The applicant has sought to cause as little impact as possible to fabric and architectural qualities of the listed building in addition to the character and setting of the surrounding conservation area.
“Church towers provide suitable spaces for housing telecommunications apparatus as they provide an ideal height over surrounding built forms. Unfortunately in this particular case the tower does not lend itself to having the antennas positioned internally within the tower.
“The antennas will therefore be positioned externally but will be coloured to match the tower to reduce their visual appearance.”
Marathon man: Former Leeds Rhinos star and Bramley lad Jamie Jones-Buchanan. Photo:Simon Cullingworth
Runners from the Farsley Flyers, Bramley Breezers, Abbey Runners, Pudsey Runners and Pudsey Pacers groups all took part in the inaugural Rob Burrow Marathon yesterday.
The event named after former Leeds Rhinos star Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, saw more than 12,000 people take part.
It was inspired by Sinfield, who pushed his former team-mate around the course in a specially-adapted wheelchair. He then lifted Burrow up and carried him, to the delight of spectators.
WLD photographer Simon Cullingworth was on hand to capture some of the runners from West Leeds:
Controversial plans to build a cluster of office buildings and a multi-storey car park on the banks of the River Aire are likely to be decided this week.
Developers Town Centre Securities want to put up a 14-storey car park on Whitehall Road to the west of Leeds city centre, alongside a further three buildings, which could either be used as offices or hotels.
A council verdict on the plans was due in March, but then delayed after it emerged neighbours to the scheme had not seen a crucial report detailing the impact it would have on their daylight.
Most of the opposition to the proposals has come from residents in the nextdoor Whitehall Waterfront flats, who fear one of the blocks in particular, known as ‘Building 9’, will “engulf” them.
Artist’s impression of the plans.
In response to those concerns, Town Centre Securities said in March they’d reduced the proposed height of Building 9 to bring it down to the same level as Whitehall Waterfront.
Since then, however, the developers have deferred arguments over the size of that building to a later date. They are still seeking planning permission in principle for an office on that plot on Thursday, but the exact height would be determined by the council in the future, if approval was given.
From left to right, Selim Irez, Rebekah Hadley, Suzie Hardy and Wendy Frith. All of them live in the Whitehall Waterfront building behind.
The daylight report, which has now belatedly been published, concluded Building 9 would only have a “negligible impact” on Whitehall Waterfront if it was of the same height, although those findings are disputed by the objectors.
Alongside the multi-storey car park, a further two blocks remain in the pipeline. One would be 11 storeys high, with the other likely to be either eight or 11 storeys.
A panel of councillors are due to vote on whether or not to approve the scheme on Thursday.
