Final phase of construction project brings rooftop reading space to The Leeds Library
The final phase of capital works project The Next Chapter is underway at The Leeds Library. In the biggest expansion in its 255-year-history, completion of the project will make the library accessible for the first time, unite its collection and archive, and create a new event space and a rooftop reading terrace. The library acquired…
Bradford mill demolition paves way for £17m cutting-edge future technologies centre
Newly appointed contractor Morgan Sindall Construction has commenced demolition of a derelict mill on Thornton Road, making way for Bradford College’s purpose-built Future Technologies Centre. The demolition of Junction Mills marks the start of construction on the state-of-the-art four-storey building, which will become the home of modern automotive and digital engineering training at Bradford College. Once opened, the…
York supports infant feeding choices during World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August)
York’s health and childcare leads are reminding parents and carers that there is a wealth of advice and support available in York around infant feeding. The reminder coincides with World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August), which this year has the theme ‘breastfeeding support for all’. The international campaign, organised by the World Health Organisation, will celebrate…
York to showcase ‘EACH’ core commitments at Yorkshire Day event
City of York Council is planning a unique approach to Yorkshire Day, as it prepares to host the annual event on 1st August 2024. The itinerary for the day, while meeting the now traditional format for Yorkshire Day, will include key activities to highlight the city’s current Council Plan – the plan setting out what…
LGSCO releases annual figures for City of York Council
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published their annual review report alongside their performance data for all local authorities. The performance data relating to City of York Council, shows a year-on-year reduction in cases they have received about the council. This shows that of 9 cases investigated, 78% (7) were upheld, comparing against…
Three York parks recognised as some of the country’s best green spaces
West Bank Park, Clarence Gardens and Glen Gardens have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as some of the very best in the UK. The Green Flag Award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and is assessed by independent judges. It is a sign to the public that the…
Millennium Bridge paths re-opened after flood defence work
City of York Council has completed works on the approach paths to Millennium Bridge, ensuring the route will be usable in all but the worst flooding. Work began on Monday 17 June and was completed on Sunday 21 July. It included raising the path at the eastern end to remove a dip which suffered from…
York businesses gain competitive edge with Google’s AI programme
For the second year running, York hosted a meeting of medieval architecture and cutting edge technology as local businesses boosted their digital skills and learned how to use AI to grow their enterprises. Over 80 businesses from York and North Yorkshire gathered on Tuesday 16 July for a day of free digital skills training delivered…
York families to get £300,000 funding support boost
Children and young people in York will benefit from work to explore how to best help families facing challenges, thanks to a £300,000 funding boost. City of York Council is one of only four local authorities chosen to partner with Foundations, the national What Works Centre for Children and Families, – and the Youth Endowment…
Housing association CEO calls for political unity after King’s Speech building reforms
The chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has urged politicians from all parties to support more housebuilding following the announcement in today’s King’s Speech of proposed changes to planning laws and the introduction of housing targets to boost the delivery of new homes. In a statement, Lee Bloomfield said: “The country has endured a…
UKREiiF Brings £20.9m Economic Boost to Leeds and West Yorkshire
An independent report by ARUP has highlighted that The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), a major event taking place annually in Leeds, has generated almost £21m of local economic activity in the city and the wider West Yorkshire region in 2024. The event, which brought together over 13,000 official attendees in 2024,…
Ousewem launches first project at Smaden Head Farm
Ousewem is thrilled to announce the commencement of its first major project, with spades officially hitting the ground at Smaden Head Farm. This groundbreaking initiative is part of Ousewem’s broader mission to implement nature-based solutions (NbS) and natural flood management (NFM) across the Swale, Ure, Nidd, and Ouse (SUNO) catchments. An additional project will break…
Spawforths transitions to employee ownership, empowering employees and setting the foundations for growth
Spawforths, one of the largest independent planning, masterplanning and architectural consultancies in Yorkshire, is proud to announce its transition to an employee-owned company. This strategic move is set to empower its 22 employees, allowing them to share directly in the company’s success and future growth strategy. With a rich history of innovative and award-winning work…
Business leaders wanted to help shape region’s economy
The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, is seeking business leaders to help shape economic growth for the region. A new Business Board is being created at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which wants to ensure businesses can reap the benefits of devolution. “Innovative and passionate” business leaders are being sought for…
One of the lowest funded councils needs residents’ help to protect essential services
City of York Council is launching its biggest budget consultation ever and is asking the community to identify the services they most rely on to ensure essential services continue. The council is facing an unprecedented financial challenge that demands immediate action. As one of the lowest funded unitary authorities in England, and after more than…
Have your say on changes to York’s sexual health service
City of York Council is inviting people to have their say on the way sexual health services are provided in York. The consultation can be completed via www.york.gov.uk/Consultations by Monday 2 September at 2pm. If anyone would like a paper copy, or would like the consultation in a different language, or accessible format please contact enquires.publichealth@york.gov.uk or 01904 551550….
York Cares Golden Moments Awards 2024: Celebrating the city’s unsung heroes
The fifteenth annual York Cares Golden Moments Awards honoured the remarkable contributions of employee-volunteers to the city of York. More than 90 guests, including the Civic Party, and ambassadors and volunteers from various York Cares member organizations and community partners, gathered at Aviva’s Wellington Row premises to celebrate the achievements of York’s unsung heroes. Some…
Join in: seven ‘Days of Action’ to help clean up Bradford, Keighley and Huddersfield
Housing provider Incommunities has announced a series of ‘Days of Action’ to help clean up local areas. The seven Days of Action will see Incommunities teaming up with local residents to undertake activities like litter picking, painting, and planting shrubs. Colleagues from Bradford Council, Kirklees Council and West Yorkshire Police will also be on hand…
54North Homes to build new sustainable homes in Leeds
Work is set to begin on a new scheme that will deliver 28 affordable and sustainable homes in the Armley area of Leeds. The properties will be built by 54North Homes on a brownfield site on Wesley Road, using funding provided by Leeds City Council and Homes England. The £5.1 million development will comprise 26…
York launches new air alert service
City of York Council has launched a new service designed to send free air pollution alerts and health advice to residents and visitors most likely to be affected by air pollution. The York Air Alert service is funded by DEFRA and aims to give advanced warning of when air pollution is expected to be higher than usual,…
Yorkshire Building Society puts forward five opportunities for the new government
Yorkshire Building Society is calling on the new government to support first-time buyers, savers and the mutual sector. The Society also wants to boost skilled jobs outside London and is proposing that all primary school children in England should have lessons on managing money. The mutual is contacting MPs and sharing its five ‘Opportunities for…
Join the conversation about new homes and area improvements in Walmgate and Fishergate
Residents of Walmgate and Fishergate are invited to drop-in sessions about the next steps to build 140 affordable, energy-efficient homes and improve local residential areas. Walmgate People living in Walmgate are invited to chat with members of the Council’s Housing Delivery Programme (HDP) and the design team including architects from Mikhail Riches. This conversation with…
City of York Council shares feedback following Front Street engagement
Councillors will receive an update on plans to improve Front Street in Acomb at a meeting next week (18 July). In October 2023, the council’s Executive approved £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money for phase 2 improvements to Front Street. The spending deadline for this funding is 31 March 2025. Earlier this year, residents, visitors, businesses…
Quality and quantity of council homes to increase
Councillors are looking at new and innovative ways to significantly increase the quality and quantity of affordable homes in York, so more residents can find secure and genuinely affordable homes. To do this, the Council is reporting on recent house building and buying, and has identified a number of opportunities to boost affordable housing delivery….
Ambitious future awaits as City of York Council unveils route map to a healthier, more sustainable and better connected city
At a meeting next week (18 July) Executive Members will be asked to agree to a new, far reaching Local Transport Strategy which will shape the city’s travel networks until 2040. York’s Local Transport Strategy will prioritise people and set out the future for transport for the whole council area, including the city centre, suburbs,…
Council commissions new £1.8m drug and alcohol service contract to help the residents of York
City of York Council has awarded the drug and alcohol service contract to a leading health and social care charity Change Grow Live. The charity will deliver a £1.8m service to provide community-based treatment and interventions for York residents wishing to access support for substance/alcohol use. Change Grow Live helps tens of thousands of people…
Main Contractor for The Beacon – Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture
Tender – Closing date: 9pm 15 July 2024 Bradford 2025 are looking for a main contractor to provide pre-construction advice and act as the main contractor during the construction of The Beacon, a touring theatre that will travel across Bradford District in 2025. The contractor will work with the design team to build The Beacon and move the theatre from site to…
Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture Uniform Tender
Request for Proposals Provider of Volunteer and Staff Uniforms & Related Items Date issued: Thursday 1 July 2024 Deadline for responses: Monday 5 August 2024, 5pm Introduction Bradford Culture Company (BCC) operating as Bradford 2025 (the Company) is seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and qualified partner (the Provider) to design and supply a range…
What does this historic election result mean for UK taxpayers?
The result of the 2024 General Election will come as no surprise to pollsters, with Labour securing 412 seats – a landslide majority ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Inevitably taxpayers will be considering how this sweeping change in the political landscape will affect them. During the campaign, Labour did not provide particularly detailed tax…
York celebrates Armed Forces Week
City of York Council is joining partners across the city and the UK, to celebrate and recognise the contribution of our Armed Forces later this month Saturday (29 June). Armed Forces Day is a chance for communities to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving…
Bradford College receives £2.6m grant to help tackle climate change
Bradford College has been awarded a £2.6 million grant for energy-efficiency works that will contribute to ambitious national net-zero targets. Delivered by Salix and run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Phase 3c Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) aims to slash energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. The Scheme targets public…
Night-time works to resurface key York road
City of York Council will be carrying out resurfacing works between the A1036 Malton Road, A1237 Outer ring road and Hopgrove Lane roundabouts. Work will start on Tuesday 18 June and last until Wednesday 3 July 2024, weather permitting, and will take place between 9pm and 5am on weekdays. From Tuesday 18 June to Friday…
Work to start near Millennium Bridge
Work starts next week between Millennium Bridge and Butcher Terrace to improve accessibility and to allow it to stay open for longer when the river levels rise. Work will begin on Monday 17 June 2024 and is expected to last for five weeks. The works will: Raise part of the path (the dip which is…
York’s Blue Badge holders supported with a National Day of Action
To uphold their rights and access to disabled parking, Blue Badge holders in York were supported by a crack-down on badge misuse and fraud on Friday 24 May as part of the National Blue Badge Day of Action. This day aims to ensure that Blue Badge holders across the UK can get the parking to…
Council support for struggling households
Ahead of Government financial support ending in September 2024 for households battling the cost of living crisis, residents are urged to claim all they are eligible for and see where they can get discounts and lower their bills. The reduced Household Support Funding for York of £1,037,906 is available until 30 September, and will provide…
Council supports Pride month
City of York Council will be joining communities across the city to celebrate Pride Month, joining in the annual Pride parade on Saturday (1 June). Under a Pride banner, council staff will parade from York Minster through the city to the lively and varied celebration at the Knavesmire. There, council staff and partners will be…
Innovative flood resilience project introduces talking lampposts to Yorkshire
Ousewem, an innovative flood resilience project, is transforming community engagement efforts by enlisting the help of talking lampposts to raise awareness about natural flood management (NFM) in North Yorkshire. Led by City of York Council, in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council, Ousewem aims to identify and deliver nature-based solutions (NbS), including NFM, to reduce flood…
Road closures for planned resurfacing works
City of York Council will be carrying out resurfacing works on Bishopthorpe Road and Elvington Lane (B1228) requiring road closures this June. Works will start on Bishopthorpe Road on the evening of Friday 31 May and be complete by Wednesday 19 June, weather permitting. Bishopthorpe road will be closed to vehicle traffic: 6.30 pm on…
Council launches Buzz About York
City of York Council is launching the ‘Buzz About York’ campaign to promote biodiversity and help wildlife flourish across the city. We are trialling sustainable planting in flowerbeds with long-lasting, perennial plants that will provide a good source of nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. This will: increase biodiversity; provide habitats for insects and…
YorHome announces home improvement grants and 12 months rent up-front for new landlords
City of York Council’s not-for-profit letting agency YorHome is offering new incentives for landlords signing with us. Besides offering probably the lowest management fees in the city, we’re now offering market-beating benefits of 12-month’s rent up front and funding for certain home improvements. Anyone with a residential property in or immediately around York who is…
Dome is where the Farke is: Trinity Leads play-off push
Shopping Centre’s Super-Sized Show of Support for Leeds United is the City’s Biggest. Football fever is reaching new heights as a 294-square-metre portrait of Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been unveiled on the glass dome roof of Trinity Leeds shopping centre ahead of this Sunday’s Championship Play-Off Final. The supersized Farke portrait – which…
Major refurbishment to Glen Lodge’s original building starts
After adding 27 extra homes to Glen Lodge in 2018, work is starting to refurbish and make the 32 original apartments more energy-efficient, accessible and comfortable. This popular independent living community in Heworth was originally built in the 1970s and a £4 million investment in 2018 added 25 new apartments and two new bungalows to…
Council elects new Lord Mayor and confirms new Executive Team
City of York Council has elected the new Lord Mayor of York, and approved its new leadership team at a full council meeting today (23rd May 2024) Councillor Claire Douglas remains as the Leader of the Council and has responsibility for Policy, Strategy and Partnerships. Councillor Pete Kilbane stays as Deputy Leader with executive portfolio…
£100,000 fund opens for applications to support ward residents
Following £100,000 of support having been successfully awarded to support ward residents in January 2024, a further £100,000 is now available this year. At the beginning of 2024, 37 organisations from across the city applied for a share of funding and 16 were successful. This next £100,000 pot will be offered in two lots of…
City of York Council celebrates the life-changing impact of its amazing foster carers during Foster Care Fortnight (13-26 May)
City of York Council is celebrating the life changing impact its foster carers have on the lives of local children and young people. The council cares for over 200 children and young people in York and local foster carers provide safe, loving homes if they can’t live with their own families. Ordinary people doing the…
Access consultation delivers five new bays for Blue Badge holders and businesses
Following the Council’s consultation on making York city centre more accessible, five new experimental bays open today (21 May) for Blue Badge holder parking and business loading. Disabled people, residents and business have been consulting with the Council since November 2023 in a number of different ways, including drop-in sessions, online and in-person workshops. They…
A Personal Choice! Lord Mayor of York chosen charities
‘Stroke Association’ Chosen by Lord Mayor as key charity for 2024 – 25 The incoming Lord Mayor of York; Cllr Margaret Wells has chosen her charities for her year in office, the headline charity will be Stroke Association. Both the Lord Mayor Elect and Sheriff Elect Fiona Fitzpatrick are both stoke survivors and know first-hand…
Online ticket touts jailed for fraud
Ticket touts who shamelessly exploited people longing to see their music idols in concert have been sentenced to a combined total of 6 years and 5 months imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court today (17 May), thanks to the work of York and North Yorkshire-based investigators. Husband and wife – Maria Chenery-Woods and Mark Woods –…