Leeds Liberal Democrats

Lovell Park Road Bridge in Little London is set to benefit from a final set of repair works after a long period of partial closure. The Bridge has been operating a one way system since 2010, but defects to its structure were first discovered in 2001.

The Council's Executive Board gave the go ahead for the final stages of a multi-million pound repair scheme to the Bridge. Work is scheduled to commence in June this year and is expected to be completed in March 2013. It is anticipated that the Bridge will be in full working order to tie in with the opening of Leeds Arena.

Leeds University Union held its first ever Landlord Awards on 17 April. Councillor Penny Ewens attended the ceremony and has praised the work that the Union is doing to improve relations with student landlords and so with the local community in general.

Students were asked to put forward their own landlords for awards in eight different categories. This is the first time that such a ceremony has been held by a University in this country.

Lib Dem group leader Cllr Stewart Golton (Rothwell) is raising questions over delays to the expansion of food waste collections.

Leeds City Council currently collects food waste in Rothwell and is planning to expand these collections to a neighbouring area this year. Carlton is an obvious candidate for this as it is the only area in the Rothwell ward that doesn't currently get food waste collections. The introduction of food waste collections would see black bin collections cut to once a fortnight but would residents would get double the number of recycling collections and weekly food waste collections.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon ward) has welcomed the allocation of funding to train two Youth Service staff members to transport young people to events and activities throughout the city.

The North West Outer Area Committee has allocated £2460, with £615 of this being allocated to Otley and Yeadon ward, to fund the training. The funding will pay for the two staff members to gain a driving qualification to drive passenger minibuses, and will also pay for additional staff to supervise classes whilst the Youth Service members are out on the driving course.

Yeadon Councillors Colin Campbell and Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon ward) are delighted that funds have been allocated to pay for a gardener to help brighten up the town ready for the summer months.

Councillors at the North West Outer Area Committee meeting have assigned£10,777 to pay for the gardener to help maintain the grounds of Yeadon Tarn, the High Street and Yeadon Cemetery. The gardener will be working two days a week in the area, undertaking general gardening duties.

At this afternoons meeting of Leeds City Council a move to formally recognise a gay quarter in Leeds was rejected by Leeds City Council.

Cllr Stewart Golton, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, expressed his disappointment that both the Labour and Conservative Groups had withdrawn their support for recognising a Gay Quarter around Lower Briggate in Leeds.

Councillor Mark Harris (Lib Dem, Moortown ward) has praised the efforts of local churches by giving them a helpful cash boost to help fund children's activities and luncheons.

Moortown Baptist Church, Meanwood Methodist Church and Stainbeck United Reformed Church have benefited from a share of £700. The money has been given from Cllr Harris' MICE (Members Improvement in the Community and Environment) fund.

Councillor Stewart Golton (Lib Dem Group Leader, Leeds City Council) has welcomed a consultation to simplify processes for local authorities when making traffic orders. The consultation, from the Department for Transport (DfT), seeks opinion on making it easier for Traffic Authorities to advertise when making Traffic Regulation Orders.

Rothwell Lib Dem Councillors are publicly supporting proposals for both Victoria and Reservoir Allotment sites in Rothwell to be put on a new list of 'assets of community value'. If successful this would see the sites being given extra protection from being sold for potential development.

Under the Localism Act 2011, community groups can apply for land or buildings that they consider to be of community value to be registered as a community asset. If approved the Council must then register the asset on a list for a period of five years.

Cllr Stewart Golton (Rothwell) will move a motion next week at Leeds City Council calling on Councillors from all parties to back campaign to recognise the Lower Briggate area as the cities gay quarter.

Cllr Golton said "I am sure the motion will receive support from all parties at next Wednesday's council meeting. Formally recognising that Leeds has a vibrant and successful gay quarter will provide a boost to businesses throughout the Lower Briggate area, and the rest of the city centre.