A big part of being a student in Leeds it taking an active role in decisions that effect the local community. This includes local elections, Union Forums and student representation. Read below
to find out how you can help make Leeds better.
As a resident and student of Leeds you are in the privileged position of holding two votes. You can vote in local elections both at home and in Leeds.
The councillors you elect in Leeds have a real impact on the services you receive as a student, including waste collection and policing - so it’s really important to use your vote.
The next local elections will be taking place on May 3rd 2012, where one of three councillors in your ward will be elected.
No local elections will take place in Leeds during 2013.
The next general election will be held on the 7th May 2015 (unless parliament votes for an early election, or if the government collapses.)
Unlike with local elections, students can only vote once during a general election. You cannot be registered both in Leeds and at home, so before the election you need to decide where you’d like your vote to be made and ensure your registered there.
For more information on voting in the genera election, and how to change where your registered to vote, click here.
Your local council is responsible for over 500 different services in Leeds, and so it’s important to know who to contact if you have any problems. Visit the Leeds City Council website if you have any queries regarding council run services.
www.leeds.gov.uk
Reps at Leeds University Union are there to represent your views, and help you change and improve the things that matter to you.
Hi I’m Ben Fisher, one of 6 elected students that run the Union. As Community Officer, I’m here to represent your views in the city of Leeds. I work on improving things like waste and recycling in the city, as well as getting a better deal on buses for students.
I’m also heavily involved with the Better Leeds Forums, encouraging students to submit their ideas, as well as submitting my own. As community officer, it’s my responsibility to enact any ideas passed at the forums, ensuring they become active union policy. Contact Ben and find out more about the other Exec officers.
Leeds University Union has nine community reps, there to represent you in the local community and to work with local residents to ensure better community cohesion.
If you have any concerns or ideas to improve your area, get in touch with your community rep. Click here to find out who your rep is and how to contact them.
Hi my name is Bryony. I’m the rep for South Headingley. Living in halls last year I was only vaguely aware that Leeds existed beyond the campus and the high street. Thankfully my move into a little terraced Hyde Park house coincided with my becoming a rep, and my horizons have become broadened once and for all. The longer I live here and the more people I meet, the more I fall in love with the area and its lovable character. And so my main aim will be to showcase what goes on around Leeds.
Hall Reps & Resident’s Committees
Every residence at Leeds University has a group of elected students called a Residents’ Committee. They're there to make your year in halls one of the best of your life.
The President of your Hall of Residence is your Hall Rep. They act as a representative of the students in each Hall and represent their views to the Better Leeds forum.
At Leeds University Union, all students have the chance to improve the city in which they live. Alongside the Better Union and Better University Forums, the Better Leeds Forum allows you to make real changes to your local community.
There are five Better Leeds Forums, all held at Devonshire Hall, where ideas submitted are discussed, debated and voted upon by a randomly selected student panel.
If student panel cannot decisively decide whether to pass or reject an idea, it is then sent to a campus wide vote, where all 32,000 students have a chance to have their say.
For more information on how to submit an idea, or to follow the progress of ideas passed as previous forums, head to the Your Ideas page.
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