Leeds City Council is grappling with a difficult fiscal situation that has forced it to sell off cherished community assets, including libraries and working men’s clubs, to private developers.
Labour Councillor Katie Dye for Seacroft and Killingbeck, has voiced her deep concerns over the trend, arguing that while some private buyers may offer affordable housing, most do not, leaving the community at a disadvantage.
“None of us want to be in a situation where we have to sell off things like libraries and other facilities that local people need,” Cllr Dye explained.
“If we had enough money, we wouldn’t have to do it,” she stressed that the council’s priority is to maintain a balanced budget, which she insists is crucial for preserving the council’s ability to make independent decisions.
“As soon as we don’t provide a balanced budget, we lose control over our decisions,” Cllr Dye said. This fiscal discipline, however, comes at a steep cost to community resources.
Although Leeds held the national record for building council houses last year, the demand for affordable housing continues to outpace supply.
“We are trying to build as many affordable houses as we can,” Cllr Dye noted, but acknowledged that the output remains “nowhere near enough.”
Labour run Leeds City Council is determined to push forward with the new council house projects to support the local people.
Leeds City Council faced having to cut more than £100m for the financial year 2025-2026.
This shortfall further intensifies the pressure on the council, forcing decisions that many community members find heartbreaking.
The Brooklands site, in Seacroft which had been earmarked for housing for some time, was delayed due to government restrictions on how much local authorities could spend on new homes.
However, following the lifting of these restrictions, Leeds City Council pushed forward with an ambitious housebuilding programme.
Councillor Katie Dye highlighted the transformation of the area, explaining that the new homes – including six-storey flats and a row of houses, are now finished and environmentally friendly.
The properties feature ground-source heat pumps, high insulation, and no gas boilers, making them low-carbon and energy-efficient.
The development also has a unique community connection.
Local schoolchildren were invited to name the new flats and chose “Doris Storey House” in honour of the East Leeds-born swimmer who broke new ground in the early 20th century.
Her family, along with the developers, attended a school assembly to celebrate the naming, and a mural of Storey will be featured at the entrance of the flats.
With the homes set to open in the summer, the council will be under pressure to ensure residents can move in as soon as possible.
The forced divestment of community assets highlights the broader financial strain faced by local authorities.
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