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Leeds City Council

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Leeds City Council
NameLeeds City Council
Foundation1 April 1974
JurisdictionCity of Leeds
HeadquartersLeeds Civic Hall
Leader titleLord Mayor
Leader nameCllr Abigail Marshall Katung
Leader title2Leader of the Council
Leader name2Cllr James Lewis
Leader title3Chief Executive
Leader name3Tom Riordan
House typeMetropolitan borough, City council
Seats99 councillors
Last election4 May 2023
Next election2024
Meeting placeLeeds Town Hall
Websitewww.leeds.gov.uk

Leeds City Council. It is the local authority for the City of Leeds, a metropolitan borough within the ceremonial county of West Yorkshire. Established in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, it provides a wide range of public services to one of the largest local authority areas in the United Kingdom. The council is based at the historic Leeds Civic Hall and also operates from Leeds Town Hall.

History

The modern council was formed on 1 April 1974, merging the former County Borough of Leeds with the municipal boroughs of Morley, Pudsey, and parts of other surrounding districts like Tadcaster Rural District and Wetherby Rural District. This reorganisation was a result of the Local Government Act 1972, which created the new metropolitan county of West Yorkshire. Prior to this, Leeds had been governed by a municipal corporation since its incorporation in 1626, with significant growth during the Industrial Revolution under figures like the first mayor, John Harrison. Key historical landmarks under its stewardship include Leeds Town Hall, opened in 1858, and the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

Governance and structure

The council operates a Leader and cabinet model of governance, led by the Leader of Leeds City Council and an executive board. Full council meetings are held at Leeds Town Hall, while day-to-day operations are managed from Leeds Civic Hall. The authority is divided into 33 wards, electing 99 councillors. Strategic decisions and scrutiny are carried out by several committees, including those for City Development and Resources. The council works in partnership with other regional bodies such as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and West Yorkshire Police.

Services and responsibilities

Its statutory duties include providing education through schools like Roundhay School, adult social care, and children's services. The council manages local planning, highways maintenance, and libraries such as the Leeds Central Library. It is responsible for waste collection and operates household waste recycling centres. Other key services encompass leisure facilities like the John Charles Centre for Sport, environmental health, trading standards, and the management of major parks including Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam.

Political composition

Following the 2023 Leeds City Council election, the council is under No overall control, with the Labour Party as the largest group. The current political makeup includes Labour, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and independent councillors. The Lord Mayor of Leeds serves as the civic head, a role currently held by Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung. The Leader of Leeds City Council is Cllr James Lewis, who leads the Labour administration.

Finances and budget

The council's funding is derived from a combination of Council Tax, business rates, and grants from central government, notably the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Its annual budget is set to address priorities such as social care, climate action, and economic recovery. Financial challenges include rising demand for services and reductions in local government funding. Major capital projects, like the regeneration of the Leeds South Bank, are funded through partnerships with entities like the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the European Regional Development Fund.

Notable initiatives and projects

The council has launched several major projects, including the Leeds South Bank regeneration, one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Europe. It declared a climate emergency in 2019, aiming for the city to become carbon neutral by 2030. Other significant initiatives are the development of the Leeds Bradford Airport terminal, the expansion of the Leeds City College, and the cultural drive to become a UNESCO City of Film. It also hosts major events like the annual Leeds Festival and supports the Leeds 2023 cultural programme.

Category:Local authorities in West Yorkshire Category:Metropolitan district councils of England