Voters in Farnley & Wortley Ward will go to the polls on Thursday, 7 May 2026 for the Leeds City Council elections. One councillor will be elected.
Voters are reminded that photo ID is needed to vote at polling stations. More details here.
West Leeds Dispatch does not support any political party, but we do encourage all our readers to use their vote.
Candidates have been asked for a statement of up to 300 words and a head and shoulders photograph to help you decide who to vote for. Here are their responses so far…
Peter Allison (Independent)
462 Tong Road, Farnley, LS12 5AU
My name is Peter Allison, and I’m standing as your Independent candidate because I believe local politics should be about local people, local issues, and real action – and not party politics.
For the past few years, I’ve been actively working across Farnley & Wortley, supporting and leading community initiatives that make a genuine difference.
As Chair and Trustee of Farnley Community Centre, I’ve helped create a welcoming and inclusive space for residents of all ages, from our seniors’ luncheon club to community cafés, family events, and vital support services. I’ve also successfully secured funding to expand what the centre can offer, including a new digital inclusion programme to help residents build skills, confidence, and access opportunities.
Many of you will know me from being out in the community supporting local groups, organising events, and bringing people together.
From pulling the Santa Sleigh around the estate each Christmas to developing and delivering Farnley’s first community Christmas market, I’ve worked to create opportunities for residents to connect and take pride in where we live.
When the decision was made to close the Farnley Children’s Centre, I stood alongside residents and families to raise concerns about the loss of local provision, ensuring those voices were heard and represented.
I’ve also worked with residents and local organisations on everyday issues that matter, from environmental concerns and fly-tipping to improving local spaces and facilities — always focused on practical outcomes.
I’m not a career politician; I’m someone who lives here, works here, and cares deeply about our community. I listen, I take action, and I follow things through.
Farnley & Wortley deserves a strong, independent voice that puts residents first.
Peter Andrews (Liberal Democrat)
2 Whingate Avenue, Leeds, LS12 3RE
I was born and brought up in Leeds and moved to LS12 in 2019. I live in Armley, but only a couple of hundred meters from the Farnley and Wortley ward boundary.
I work for our family run solar panel installation business, which is also based in Armley. I am an environmentalist, but with a practical outlook on the issue, hence my chosen career where I am actually doing something, not just talking about the issue of climate change.
I believe that councillors should first and foremost be representatives and advocates for the residents of their wards, helping them with their issues and campaigning on things that matter to them. Issues such as housing, transport, roads and crime as well as more mundane things like bin collections, all of which the local council has significant influence over.
I feel that Labour councillors all too often simply toe the party line, regardless of what the views of their residents are.
I think that Labour-run Leeds City Council would benefit from another voice in opposition in the Council chambers helping to scrutinise their plans and highlighting where the Council are making mistakes and/or prioritising spending on the wrong things.
If elected I would intend to be an active councillor, responding to residents’ issues, actively looking for issues raised by residents and giving regular updates on what I have been doing and what is happening on the council.
So please vote for me to have a Liberal Democrat representative for Farnley and Wortley on Leeds City Council.
Ann Blackburn (Green)
9 Cobden Grove, Farnley, Leeds LS12 5PA
My name is Ann Blackburn and I am the Green Party candidate for Farnley & Wortley Ward. I think many residents in Farnley & Wortley will know me as I represented the Farnley & Wortley area as a Green Party Councillor for 20 years alongside my husband until 2022.
My husband, David, who has decided to stand down because of health issues after 28 years of serving this community, and the members of Farnley & Wortley Green Party have selected me to stand once again.
I have lived in the area for over 40 years and had connections with the area through work prior to moving from Armley.
If elected, I will be a full-time councillor, so I will have time to attend meetings during the day and be available to deal with residents’ problems.
I will continue to oppose the building of houses on the green belt and campaign for housing that is built in the area being appropriate to the needs of our area.
I will support increased facilities for young people in the area.
I will support increased funding for the elderly in the area.
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I will work to restore facilities taken away from Farnley & Wortley over the years caused by cuts in funding by the Labour administration
I will, as I always have, work to help all the people in the Farnley & Wortley Ward no matter which part of the ward they live in, whether they are young or old, rich or poor. I do not represent vested interest but individual people.
I am not somebody who will be here today and gone tomorrow and my record proves that I am not a party stooge, but have a mind of my own to do what I believe is right for the people of Farnley & Wortley.
I am not into computers or social media. I am into people, meeting them face to face, hearing what they have to say, allowing me to speak for those who do not have a voice on the council.
I ask you to support on May 7.
Shikha Chaturvedi (Conservative)
Address in Leeds.
Charlotte Hill (Labour and Cooperative)
Address in Leeds
It is a privilege to stand in the local election to be a Labour and Cooperative councillor for the people of Farnley & Wortley. Whilst the ward has many strengths, it is not without its issues. I know we lack many resources other areas seem to have, and I know the team of current Labour councillors have spent a great deal of time developing resources for our area.
When I talk to people the same things keep being raised. These include the lack of facilities for children and young people, the issues of crime and ASB, problems of bad driving and parking, and of course the scourge of litter and fly tipping.
These need to be addressed in a way that works and is sustainable. The Pride in Place project will see community building in the Farnley East area of the ward with a massive investment, not just in terms of money, but in people as well. I want to see resources coming into the ward to be used to benefit our community.
The current Labour councillors have overseen developments such as a new playground at Western Flatts and supported additional facilities at both this park and Wortley Rec and the refurbishment of Farnley Fishpond.
I want to see improvements to the Farnley parks and I want to see the development of the TV Harrison site and be actively involved in the expansion of Elland Road. Everything to help improve our community.
As your councillor I want to work with the people of Farnley & Wortley, our team of councillors, partners in education, police, Housing, youth services, third sector and many others to make Farnley & Wortley the best and safest place to live. I intend to be active, visible and accountable to the people of Farnley and Wortley.
Richard Riley (Social Democratic Party – SDP)
54 Cross Flatts Crescent, Leeds, LS11 7JP
Wenzdae Robbins (Reform)
Address in Leeds
I’m standing in Farnley & Wortley because I genuinely care about this ward and the people who make it such an amazing place to live.
Over the years, I’ve worked with local groups and residents on community projects, creative pieces, remembrance work, and improvements that help bring pride back into the spaces we share.
My background in art and community work has shaped how I see things: looking closely, thinking creatively, and paying attention to the details that matter. My artwork is inspired by nature – its colours, wildlife, and the sense of calm it brings.
Running my small creative business has taught me the practical side of planning, budgeting, and managing projects from start to finish. I care deeply about our green spaces, but always in a way that balances environmental care with the everyday realities of local families and the needs of our community.
I’m adaptable, hardworking, and committed to seeing things through properly, and making sure effort turns into real results. I believe in putting in the hours, doing the groundwork, and working alongside people to make improvements that feel meaningful and shared.
I’ve also taken on roles that involve coordinating volunteers, managing community projects, and bringing different groups together. Those experiences have shaped a leadership style that’s steady, collaborative, and focused on guiding ideas into something real and lasting.
Farnley & Wortley has a strong sense of pride and togetherness that sets it apart from anywhere else in Leeds. I want to help keep our ward at that standard. Not by looking backwards, but by building on the spirit that makes our fond memories possible.
If I’m given the chance to serve, I’ll bring creativity, commitment, and a thoughtful, steady approach to helping our ward grow and thrive in the years ahead.
- Candidates who have not yet submitted their profiles can still do so by e-mailing news@westleedsdispatch.com.