Leeds City Council Explained

Leeds City Council
Coa Pic:Coat of Arms of Leeds City Council.svg
Coa Res:120px
Coa Caption:Coat of arms
Logo Pic:Leeds City Council.svg
Logo Res:250
House Type:Metropolitan district
Leader1 Type:Lord Mayor
Leader1:Abigail Marshall Katung
Election1:24 May 2024
Leader2 Type:Leader
Leader2:James Lewis
Party2:
Labour
Election2:24 February 2021
Leader3 Type:Chief Executive
Leader3:Tom Riordan
Election3:August 2010
Seats:99 councillors
Structure1:UK_Leeds_City Council_2024_v2.svg
Structure1 Res:250px
Political Groups1:
Administration (61)
  • Labour (61)
    Other parties (38)
  • Conservative (14)
  • Green (5)
  • SDP (3)
  • Independents (3)
  • Joint Committees:West Yorkshire Combined Authority
    Term Length:4 years
    Voting System1:Multiple member first-past-the-post
    Last Election1:2 May 2024
    Next Election1:7 May 2026
    Session Room:File:Civic Hall Leeds West Yorkshire.jpg
    Session Res:250
    Meeting Place:Civic Hall, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS11UR

    Leeds City Council is the local authority of the City of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Leeds has had a council since 1626, which has been reformed on numerous occasions. Since 1974 it has been a metropolitan borough council. It provides the majority local government services in the city. It is the second most populous local government district in the United Kingdom with approximately 800,000 inhabitants living within its area; only Birmingham City Council has more. Since 1 April 2014, it has been a constituent council of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

    The council has been under Labour majority control since 2011. It meets at Leeds Civic Hall and has its main offices at Merrion House.

    History

    Leeds Corporation

    Leeds (historically often spelt Leedes) was a manor and then a town, receiving a charter from King Charles I as a 'Free Borough' in 1626 giving it powers of self-government, leading to the formation of the Leeds Corporation to administer it.[1] [2] The leader was initially an alderman, the first holder being Sir John Savile.[3] A second charter, granted in 1661 by Charles II, gave the town the right to appoint a mayor. The first holder of that post was Thomas Danby.

    Leeds was reformed in 1836 to become a municipal borough under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, which standardised how most boroughs were governed across the country. The ruling body was then formally called the "mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Leeds", generally known as the corporation or town council.[4] When elected county councils were created in 1889 Leeds was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services and so it became a county borough, independent from the new West Riding County Council. Leeds became a city in 1893, after which the corporation was also known as the city council. In 1897 the mayoralty was raised to a lord mayor.

    Leeds City Council

    The modern city council was established in 1974, with the first elections being held in advance in 1973. Under the Local Government Act 1972, the area of the County Borough of Leeds was combined with those of the Municipal Borough of Morley, the Municipal Borough of Pudsey, Aireborough Urban District, Horsforth Urban District, Otley Urban District, Garforth Urban District, Rothwell Urban District and parts of Tadcaster Rural District, Wetherby Rural District and Wharfedale Rural District from the West Riding. The new Leeds district was one of five metropolitan districts in West Yorkshire. Leeds' borough and city statuses and right to appoint a lord mayor were transferred to the enlarged district.

    From 1974 until 1986 the city council was a second-tier authority, with West Yorkshire County Council providing many key services. However, the metropolitan county councils were abolished under the Local Government Act 1985 and the council took responsibility for all former County Council functions. Some functions, notably policing, fire services and public transport are run by joint committees of the five metropolitan boroughs in West Yorkshire.

    Since 2014 the council has been a constituent member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.[5] The combined authority has been led by the directly elected Mayor of West Yorkshire since 2021.

    Council services

    Leeds City Council is responsible for providing all statutory local authority services in Leeds, except for those it provides jointly in conjunction with other West Yorkshire authorities. This includes education, housing, planning, transport and highways, social services, libraries, leisure and recreation, waste collection, waste disposal, environmental health and revenue collection. The council is one of the largest employers in West Yorkshire, with around 33,000 employees.[6]

    Education Leeds

    Education Leeds was set up in 2001 as a non-profit making company wholly owned by Leeds City Council to provide education support services for the council.[7] For its first five years it operated as a public-private partnership between the Council and Capita. The senior councillors of the council's executive board voted in March 2010 to stop using Education Leeds to provide services from 31 March 2011,[8] thereby effectively causing it to cease operation.

    Housing

    Until 1 October 2013, Leeds City Council's housing stock was managed and operated by three Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) since 2007. They were wholly owned by the council but operated as autonomous and self-governing organisations. The ALMOs, which are arranged on a regional basis were:

    As of 1 October 2013, the ALMOs returned to Leeds City Council and all management of council housing stock became the responsibility of Housing Leeds. At this point, the ALMOs ceased to exist.

    Management of more than 2000 homes in Belle Isle is carried out by Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation, the largest tenant management organisation in the UK outside London.[12]

    Leeds Museums & Galleries

    Leeds Museums & Galleries is a museum service run by Leeds City Council.[13]

    Established in 1821, it is the largest local authority-run museum service in England, with one of the larger and more significant multidisciplinary collections in the UK, looking after 1.3 million objects.[14] The service is run and primarily funded by Leeds City Council (LCC), and plays a significant role in shaping the cultural life of the city, but as a leading museum service it has a regional and national reputation and role. In 2012 the organisation achieved Major Partner Museum status from Arts Council England, which brought significant additional funding and further national prominence and expectation.[15]

    The service has at times run major events across the city, with visitors numbering in the millions, such as the 2014-19 Legacies of War Project, which examined how Leeds was affected by the First World War,[16] and developed teaching materials for schools.[17]

    Leeds Museums & Galleries is made up of nine different sites: Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds City Museum, Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey House Museum, Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, Thwaite Mills, Lotherton Hall, Temple Newsam and Leeds Discovery Centre.

    Waste disposal and recycling

    The city operates waste disposal and recycling facilities in Kirkstall, Meanwood, Middleton, Otley, Pudsey, Seacroft, Wetherby (Thorp Arch) and Yeadon.[18]

    West Yorkshire Joint Services

    See main article: West Yorkshire Joint Services. West Yorkshire Joint Services provides services for the five district local authorities in West Yorkshire (Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield) in the areas of archaeology, archives, ecology, materials testing, public analyst, and trading standards.[19]

    Council structures

    Overview and scrutiny

    The executive and workings of the council are overseen by six scrutiny boards. These panels involve councillors from all parties and some independent members. Scrutiny boards are able to review decisions taken by the executive or by officers of the council and to refer them for further consideration.

    Regulatory

    The licensing committee of the council is drawn from councillors from all parties and is responsible for entertainment, refreshment, personal and premises licences established under the Licensing Act 2003. Three plans panels are responsible for determining planning applications which have not been delegated to officers for decision, such as large or controversial applications or those in which a councillor or officer has a personal interest.

    Community committees

    Ten community committees are responsible for managing certain area-specific budgets and responsibilities, such as community centres and CCTV, in partnership with local communities. Five of the community committees cover areas in "inner Leeds" and five cover areas in "outer Leeds".[20] These committees also exert considerable influence over other areas of local interest such as street-cleansing and community policing.

    Lord Mayor of Leeds

    See main article: Lord Mayor of Leeds. The Lord Mayor of Leeds is a ceremonial, non-partisan position elected annually by and from the councillors. As well as acting as the chair of the council, the Lord Mayor represents the City of Leeds at events within and outside the city.[21]

    The first Mayor of Leeds was Thomas Danby in 1661, and the first Lord Mayor was James Kitson in 1897.[22]

    During the mayoral year, the Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal raises funds for one or more charities of the mayor's choice.

    Leadership

    The council operates a Leader and Cabinet executive as defined under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 2000. The executive board of the council currently consists of nine executive members with portfolio responsibilities from the ruling Labour group, and the leader of the biggest opposition group (Conservative).[23]

    Since February 2021, the Leader of the council has been James Lewis (Labour). He succeeded Judith Blake, the first woman ever to lead the council.[24] [25]

    Portfolio! colspan="2" width=350
    Councillor (electoral ward)Term
    Ceremonial leadership
    The 130th Lord Mayor of Leeds (2024–2025)
    First citizen of the City of Leeds
    Abigail Marshall Katung (Little London and Woodhouse)[26]
    2024–present
    Vice-chair of the council (2023–2024)Jane Dowson (Chapel Allerton)[27] 2023–present
    Executive leadership[28]
    Leader of the Council
    Leader of the Labour Group
    James Lewis (Kippax and Methley)[29] 2021–present
    Deputy Leader of the Council
    Executive Member for Resources
    Debra Coupar (Temple Newsam)[30] 2018–present[31]
    2021–present
    Deputy Leader of the Council
    Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education
    Jonathan Pryor (Headingley and Hyde Park)[32] 2021–present
    Executive Member for Children's Social Care and Health PartnershipsFiona Venner (Kirkstall)[33] 2019–present[34]
    Executive Member for CommunitiesMary Harland (Kippax and Methley)[35] 2021–present
    Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green SpaceMohammed Rafique (Chapel Allerton)[36] 2017–present
    Executive Member for Sustainable Development and InfrastructureHelen Hayden (Temple Newsam)[37]
    2021–present
    Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Active LifestylesSalma Arif (Gipton and Harehills)[38] 2021–present[39]
    Executive Member for HousingJessica Lennox (Cross Gates and Whinmoor)[40] 2023–present
    Chief Whip of the CouncilEmma Flint (Weetwood)[41] 2023–present
    Opposition leadership
    Leader of the Opposition
    Leader of the Conservative Group
    Alan Lamb (Wetherby)[42]
    2023–present
    Leader of the Liberal Democrat GroupStewart Golton (Rothwell)[43] 2010–present[44]
    Leader of the Morley Borough Independents GroupRobert Finnigan (Morley North)[45] 2019–present
    Leader of the Garforth and Swillington Independents GroupMark Dobson (Garforth and Swillington)[46] 2017–present[47]
    Leader of the Green GroupTBDTBD
    Leader of the SDP GroupWayne Dixon (Middleton Park)[48] 2023–present

    Leaders and political control since 1945

    City of Leeds (County Borough) Council until 31 March 1974
    LeaderYearsPolitical Control
    Unknown1945 - 1947Labour
    1947 - 1949Conservative Conservative
    1949 - 1951Labour
    1951 - 1952Conservative Conservative
    1952 - 1967Labour
    Frank Marshall1967 - 1972Conservative
    Albert King1972 - 1974No Overall Control


    Labour minority administration

    Leeds Metropolitan District Council from 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972
    LeaderYearsPolitical Control
    Albert King1974 - 1975No Overall Control


    Labour minority,
    then Conservative minority

    Irwin Bellow1975 - 1976
    1976 - 1979Conservative
    Peter Sparling1979 - 1980No Overall Control


    Conservative minority

    George Mudie1980 - 1989Labour
    Jon Trickett1989 - 1996
    Brian Walker1996 - 2003
    Keith Wakefield2003 - 2004
    Mark Harris (Joint Leader)2004 - November 2007No Overall Control


    Liberal Democrat and Conservative coalition,
    then Labour minority

    Andrew Carter (Joint Leader)
    December 2007 - 2010
    Richard Brett (Joint Leader)
    Keith Wakefield2010 - 2011
    2011 - 2015Labour
    Judith Blake2015 - 2021
    James Lewis2021 - present

    Elected Mayor

    See main article: 2012 English mayoral referendums. On 3 May 2012 a referendum was held to determine whether or not to replace the current leadership arrangements with a directly elected mayor.

    The question that was asked in the referendum was set by central government, and was:[49]

    How would you like Leeds City Council to be run?

    Or

    The proposal for an elected mayor was opposed by the leaders of the four largest groups on the council. It was supported by Leeds Conservative MPs Stuart Andrew (Pudsey) and Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell).

    The referendum results showed a rejection of the proposal for a directly elected mayor, with 63% (107,910) voting to keep the status quo.[50]

    Political composition

    See main article: Leeds local elections. The council is composed of 99 councillors, three for each of the city's electoral wards.

    One councillor for each ward – a third of all of the total councillors – is elected at every council election, which are held in three of every four years. Each councillor is also elected to serve a four-year term. This only differs following a boundary review, where all council seats must be re-elected. The most recent full council elections were in 1980, 2004 and 2018. The latter election saw all three ward council seats up for re-election, with each of the three successful candidates in each ward awarded a unique one, two or four-year term respectively with longer terms given to the candidates with the highest number of votes.[51]

    Since the 2011 council election, the council has been run by a Labour majority administration. Between the 2004 and 2011 elections, the council's political composition meant no one party had a full majority and therefore there was no overall control. During this time, a coalition administration between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats was formally agreed. Throughout the coalition, both parties' Group Leaders jointly shared the office of Leader of the council, each holding it for six months in turn. However, in 2010, the Labour Group regained control as a minority administration with the support of the two Green Party councillors.[52] [53] [54]

    YearLabourLiberal DemocratsConservativeOthers
    20246161517
    20236161814
    20225872113
    20215482413
    20195782311
    201861622 10
    201663919 8
    201563919 8
    201463918 9
    2012631019 7
    2011[55] 551621 7
    2010482122 8
    2008[56] 432422 10
    2007[57] 432422 10
    2006[58] 402624 9
    2004402624 9
    2003522220 5
    2002572018 4
    2000611916 3
    1999711412 2
    19988099 1

    Electoral wards

    Leeds City Council's 33 electoral wards have been fully reviewed twice since 2000, once before the 2004 council election and again before the 2018 council election.

    Beforehand, the ward boundaries had not been amended since the last review in 1979. The 1979 review increased the number of wards in Leeds from 32 to 33, thereby increasing the number of councillors from 96 to 99. The 1980 council election was the first to be contested based on the new ward boundaries across the city, and therefore it was a full council, all-out election where all of the 99 council seats were up for election.

    The boundary review between February 2002 and July 2003 was completed by the Boundary Committee for England.[59] The review recommended the retention of 99 councillors representing 33 wards across the city, but suggested substantial alterations to ward boundaries to reduce the level of variance between different wards. Prior to the boundary review, based on the 2001 electorate, the largest and smallest wards respectively were Morley South (22,167 electors) and Hunslet (10,955 electors). Following the review all wards had an electorate within 10% of the average of all 33 wards across the city.[60]

    A similar process was completed in November 2017 by the Boundary Committee's successor, the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. The process had held consultations since July 2016. The biggest ward boundary changes saw the creation of two new wards in Headingley & Hyde Park and Little London and Woodhouse from the previous Hyde Park & Woodhouse and Headingley wards. City & Hunslet also became Hunslet & Riverside.[61] Following the example of previous reviews, all of the city's councillors were re-elected together again based on the new ward boundaries in May 2018.

    Parliamentary constituencyWardCouncillorFirst electedTerm of office
    Leeds Central and HeadingleyHeadingley and Hyde ParkTim Goodall (Green)20242024–2028
    Jonathan Pryor (Lab)20142022–2026
    Abdul Hannan (Lab)20232023–2027
    KirkstallHannah Bithell (Lab)20182022–2026
    Andy Rontree (Lab)20232023–2027
    Fiona Venner (Lab)20142024–2028
    Little London and WoodhouseJavaid Akhtar (Lab)2000, 20102024–2028
    Kayleigh Brooks (Lab)20182022–2026
    Abigail Marshall Katung (Lab)20192023–2027
    WeetwoodEmma Flint (Lab)20212024–2028
    Jools Heselwood (Lab)20152023–2027
    Izaak Wilson (Lab)20222022–2026
    Leeds EastCross Gates and WhinmoorJames Gibson (Lab)2018, 20212024–2028
    Pauleen Grahame (Lab)20022022–2026
    Jessica Lennox (Lab)20182023–2027
    Garforth and SwillingtonMark Dobson (GSI)20072022–2026
    Sarah Field (GSI)20162024–2028
    Suzanne McCormack (GSI)20182023–2027
    Gipton and HarehillsSalma Arif (Lab)20162022–2026
    Mothin Ali (Green)20242024–2028
    Asghar Ali (Lab)20232023–2027
    Killingbeck and SeacroftKatie Dye (Lab)20182023–2027
    David Jenkins (Lab)20182024–2028
    John Tudor (Lab)20222022–2026
    Temple Newsam

    Debra Coupar (Lab)2003, 2006, 20132022–2026
    Helen Hayden (Lab)20152024–2028
    Nicole Sharpe (Lab)20192023–2027
    Leeds North EastAlwoodleyNeil Buckley (Con)20122024–2028
    Dan Cohen (Con)20112022–2026
    Lyn Buckley (Con)20232023–2027
    Chapel AllertonJane Dowson (Lab)20042023–2027
    Mohammed Rafique (Lab)20042024–2028
    Eileen Taylor (Lab)20082022–2026
    MoortownMahalia France-Mir (Lab)20222022–2026
    Sharon Hamilton (Lab)2004, 20102024–2028
    Mohammed Shahzad (Lab)20182023–2027
    RoundhayJordan Bowden (Lab)20222023–2027
    Zara Hussain (Lab)20212022–2026
    Lisa Martin (Lab)20212024–2028
    Leeds North WestAdel and WharfedaleBarry Anderson (Con)19992022–2026
    Caroline Anderson (Con)20152024–2028
    Billy Flynn (Con)20162023–2027
    Guiseley and RawdonSonia Leighton (Lab)20242024–2028
    Eleanor Thomson (Lab)20222022–2026
    Oliver Edwards (Lab)20232023–2027
    HorsforthEmmie Bromley (Lab)20222022–2026
    John Garvani (Lab)20222024–2028
    Raymond Jones (Lab)20232023–2027
    Otley and YeadonColin Campbell (LD)1982, 20042022–2026
    Ryk Downes (LD)20042023–2027
    Sandy Lay (LD)20122024–2028
    Leeds SouthBeeston and HolbeckShaf Ali (Lab)20242024–2028
    Annie Maloney (Lab)20222022–2026
    Andrew Scopes (Lab)20182023–2027
    Burmantofts and Richmond HillLuke Farley (Lab)20222022–2026
    Asghar Khan (Lab)20112024–2028
    Nkele Manaka (Lab)20232023–2027
    Hunslet and RiversideEd Carlisle (Green)20222022–2026
    Mohammed Iqbal (Lab)19992024–2028
    Paul Wray (Lab)20182023–2027
    Middleton ParkRob Chesterfield (SDP)20242024–2028
    Wayne Dixon (SDP)20222022–2026
    Emma Pogson-Golden (SDP)20232023–2027
    Leeds South West and MorleyArdsley and Robin HoodKaren Bruce (Lab)20242024–2028
    Stephen Holroyd-Case (Lab)20232023–2027
    Karen Renshaw (Lab)20042022–2026
    Farnley and WortleyKate Haigh (Lab)20242024–2028
    Mark Sewards (Lab)20222022–2026
    Adrian McCluskey (Lab)20232023–2027
    Morley NorthRobert Finnigan (MBI)1995, 2002, 20192023–2027
    Bob Gettings (Ind)20072022–2026
    Simon Brown (MBI)20182024–2028
    Morley SouthWyn Kidger (Ind)20182023–2027
    Oliver Newton (MBI)20222022–2026
    Jane Senior (MBI)20212024–2028
    Leeds West and PudseyArmleyAndy Parnham (Lab)20232023–2027
    Lou Cunningham (Green)20242024–2028
    Alice Smart (Lab)20142022–2026
    Bramley and StanningleyAdele Rae (Lab)20242024–2028
    Tom Hinchcliffe (Lab)20232023–2027
    Kevin Ritchie (Lab)20142022–2026
    Calverley and FarsleyPeter Carlill (Lab)20182023–2027
    Craig Timmins (Lab)20242024–2028
    Andrew Carter (Con)19732022–2026
    PudseyDawn Seary (Con)20212024–2028
    Simon Seary (Con)20182022–2026
    Trish Smith (Ind)20192023–2027
    SelbyKippax and MethleyMary Harland (Lab)20122022–2026
    James Lewis (Lab)20032024–2028
    Michael Millar (Lab)20232023–2027
    Wakefield and RothwellRothwellDiane Chapman (LD)20192023–2027
    Stewart Golton (LD)19982022–2026
    Conrad Hart-Brooke (LD)20212024–2028
    Wetherby and EasingwoldHarewoodSam Firth (Con)20182024–2028
    Matthew Robinson (Con)20102022–2026
    Ryan Stephenson (Con)20162023–2027
    WetherbyNorma Harrington (Con)20182022–2026
    Alan Lamb (Con)20072024–2028
    Penny Stables (Green)20232023–2027

    Premises

    The council meets at Leeds Civic Hall on Calverley Street, which was purpose-built for the city council and opened in 1933. The council has numerous other buildings around the city, with its main offices being at Merrion House, which forms part of the Merrion Centre and was built in 1973.[62]

    Controversy

    In September 2012 the council announced its intention to introduce a bring your own device policy as part of cost saving measures.[63] In the same year, the council was fined £95,000 by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) after it sent confidential and sensitive information about a child in care to the wrong recipient. Commenting on Leeds and other authorities who had made similar data protection breaches, the ICO said "It would be far too easy to consider these breaches as simple human error. The reality is that they are caused by councils treating sensitive personal data in the same routine way they would deal with more general correspondence. Far too often in these cases, the councils do not appear to have acknowledged that the data they are handling is about real people, and often the more vulnerable members of society."[64]

    Notes and References

    1. Steven Burt & Kevin Grady (2002) The Illustrated History of Leeds, 2nd edn (Breedon Books, Derby)
    2. Diane Saunders & Philippa Lester (2014) From the Leylands to Leeds 17
    3. http://www.leedscivictrust.org.uk/view.aspx?id=65 Leeds Civic Trust
    4. [Municipal Corporations Act 1835]
    5. si. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority Order 2014. 2014. 864. 26 December 2023.
    6. Web site: About Leeds: the facts and figures . dead . Yorkshire Forward . 18 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090216213826/http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/our-wonderful-region/our-cities/Leeds-the-facts . 16 February 2009.
    7. Web site: About Education Leeds . dead . Education Leeds . 18 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100317163103/http://www.educationleeds.co.uk/DisplayText.aspx?section=17&pageno=992 . 17 March 2010.
    8. Web site: EXECUTIVE BOARD WEDNESDAY, 10TH MARCH, 2010 . Leeds City Council . 18 March 2011.
    9. Web site: About Us . dead . East North East Homes . 18 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722144607/http://www.eastnortheasthomesleeds.org.uk/Home/About_Us.aspx . 22 July 2011 . dmy-all.
    10. Web site: About Us . dead . West North West Homes . 18 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722144533/http://www.westnorthwesthomesleeds.org.uk/West_North_West_Homes_Leeds/About_us.aspx . 22 July 2011 . dmy-all.
    11. Web site: About Us . dead . Aire Valley Homes . 18 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120321141554/http://www.southsoutheasthomesleeds.org.uk/Aire_Valley_Homes_Leeds/About_Us.aspx . 21 March 2012 . dmy-all.
    12. Web site: Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) . dead . Leeds City Council . 9 September 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110729002046/http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Housing/Council_housing/Belle_Isle_Tenant_Management_Organisation_(BITMO).aspx . 29 July 2011 . dmy-all.
    13. 'Leeds Museums and Galleries'.
    14. 'Overview'.
    15. Rebecca Atkinson, "ACE Increases Number of Major Partner Museums", Museums Journal (1 July 2014).
    16. Chris Burn, "How army of people helped Leeds remember war that changed the world", Yorkshire Evening Post (31 January 2019).
    17. "The cultural history of the city is now at teachers' fingertips", Yorkshire Evening Post (18 June 2018).
    18. Leeds City Council, Recycling centres, accessed 4 September 2020
    19. Web site: West Yorkshire Joint Services . 18 March 2011.
    20. Leeds City Council, Community committees – have your say, accessed on 9 July 2024
    21. Web site: Lord Mayor . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190805083535/https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/councillors-and-democracy/lord-mayor . 5 August 2019.
    22. Web site: Lord Mayors & Aldermen of Leeds since 1626 . dead . Leeds City Council . 18 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090327155545/http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/Internet2007/2007/week30/inter__79A23928963937DC80256E160032DB3C_4ea312d9-0e7c-4bfa-b98a-a8d5b516580f.pdf . 27 March 2009 . dmy-all.
    23. Web site: Executive Board . Leeds City Council . 18 March 2011.
    24. News: Beecham . Richard . New Leeds Council leader in just two weeks' time . Yorkshire Evening Post . 10 February 2021.
    25. News: Maclure . Abbey . Judith Blake announces date she will hand over leadership of Leeds Council . Yorkshire Evening Post . 11 February 2021.
    26. Web site: Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . . 15 June 2019.
    27. Web site: Councillor Jane Dowson . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 25 May 2023.
    28. Web site: Section 3B (a): Executive Members Portfolios . leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 24 February 2021.
    29. Web site: Councillor James Lewis . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 24 December 2018.
    30. Web site: Councillor Debra Coupar . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 8 September 2021.
    31. Web site: Nathan . Hyde . Labour re-elect Judith Blake as party leader after election victory . leeds-live.co.uk . Leeds Live . 9 May 2018 . 2 May 2020.
    32. Web site: Councillor Jonathan Pryor . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 8 September 2021.
    33. Web site: Councillor Fiona Venner . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 8 September 2021.
    34. News: Kirkstall councillor re-appointed to executive board amid shake up . West Leeds Dispatch . 14 February 2021.
    35. Web site: Councillor Mary Harland . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 8 September 2021.
    36. Web site: Councillor Mohammed Rafique . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 8 September 2021.
    37. Web site: Councillor Helen Hayden . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 8 September 2021.
    38. Web site: Councillor Salma Arif . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 8 September 2021.
    39. News: Leeds Council's first female British Asian health chief and her plans for the city . Leeds Live . . 16 February 2021.
    40. Web site: Councillor Jessica Lennox . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 8 September 2021.
    41. Web site: Councillor Emma Flint . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 25 May 2023.
    42. Web site: Councillor Alan Lamb . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 25 May 2023.
    43. Web site: Councillor Stewart Golton . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 30 December 2018.
    44. Web site: Baron . John . Leeds Liberal Democrats elect Stewart Golton as new leader . . 11 May 2010 . 2 May 2020.
    45. Web site: Councillor Robert Finnigan . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 15 June 2019.
    46. Web site: Councillor Mark Dobson . democracy.leeds.gov.uk . Leeds City Council . 10 December 2018.
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