'We're building stronger communities by making every part of our city cleaner and better' - Coun James Lewis
The Yorkshire Evening Post has asked major political parties for their manifesto in the run up to the Local Election in Leeds. Coun James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council and Leeds Labour leader, tells us the party’s priorities for the city.
On any given morning in Leeds, you can see what community really means. It’s in conversations at school gates in Roundhay, the familiar faces in a Farsley café, the teenager in Hunslet helping an elderly neighbour with their shopping.
That’s what makes a city strong. Not slogans, but people. When people feel connected to where they live, they care for it. Streets feel safer, spaces are looked after and Leeds grows stronger.
At a time when politics can feel divisive, Leeds is choosing a different path, one rooted in community and the belief that we are stronger together.
You can see that in the investment being made in our neighbourhoods. Through Pride in Place funding, areas like Armley, Farnley, Middleton Park and Seacroft will receive up to £20 million each. But what matters most isn’t just the funding, it’s how it’s being used to put power into the hands of local people to shape the future of their area. Because no one understands a neighbourhood better than the people who live there.
That same principle is at the heart of everything your Labour-led council does. Your voices shape priorities, drive decisions and lead to real, visible change across our city whether it’s new council housing or more money for social care.
You can see that in the work we are doing to fix our roads, with long-overdue investment being put to work to tackle potholes across Leeds. While there is still more to be done, our progress has been recognised with a high rating from the Department for Transport.
Your voices have shaped plans for our new Pride in our Streets team, bringing together enforcement officers, councillors, community groups and volunteers to tackle litter and clean up every neighbourhood. After years of stretched resources, this renewed focus on taking pride in our city matters.
Your Labour councillors are also focused on protecting our communities. Cracking down on fly-tipping, with a 16 per cent reduction since 2020 and strong enforcement measures like seizing and crushing offending vehicles.
Making our streets safer, with named police officers for every neighbourhood and action to manage e-bikes and scooters in busy city centre areas. This is what happens when a council listens and a city cares.
There is much to celebrate in Leeds. But this progress hasn’t happened by accident, and it won’t continue by accident either.
The stronger, fairer Leeds we’re building is rooted in community and in the belief that everyone should have the power to shape their own lives. That is something worth protecting.
Our priorities as a Labour Party in Leeds are clear: more funding into all our communities and making every part of our city cleaner and better.