{"id":821008,"date":"2026-03-12T15:47:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/821008\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T15:47:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:47:18","slug":"councillors-agree-support-for-community-initiatives-in-armley-and-kirkstall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/821008\/","title":{"rendered":"Councillors agree support for community initiatives in Armley and Kirkstall"},"content":{"rendered":"

By John Baron<\/strong><\/p>\n

Councillors have agreed to support popular community festivals in Armley and Kirkstall \u2013 but at reduced levels.<\/p>\n

Armley Festival requested up to \u00a310,210 from the council\u2019s Inner South West Community Committee and councillors agreed a \u00a35,000 grant for the annual event on Armley Moor in September.<\/p>\n

\"\"Deckchairs in the September sun at Armley Festival 2025. Photo: Nelson Rodriguez<\/p>\n

Kirkstall Festival organisers asked the committee for a grant of \u00a37,250 (\u00a32,250 from Armley ward councillors and \u00a35,000 from Kirkstall). <\/p>\n

The committee agreed on the \u00a35,000 from Kirkstall councillors, but Armley war members Andy Parnham (Lab) and Lou Cunningham (Green) declined to provide \u00a32,500, saying the event was not in their ward and that they needed to focus their funding there.<\/p>\n

Councillor Hannah Bithell (Lab, Kirkstall) said she respected their decision, but labelled it \u2018unreasonable\u2019 as Kirkstall Festival draws people from across the city and that other areas should contribute towards its costs. She suggested a joint meeting moving forward. <\/p>\n

Cllr Parnham said it was a \u2018difficult\u2019 decision, but said he had to ensure festivals in his own ward \u2013 Armley and New Wortley \u2013 were sustainable first. He suggested support for Kirkstall Festival should be discussed across the wider council, given the event\u2019s city-wide draw.<\/p>\n

Cllr Cunningham said she would provide some of her MICE money (Members\u2019 Improvements in the Community and Environment) to this year\u2019s Kirkstall Festival.<\/p>\n

The total cost of Kirkstall Festival \u2013 the second biggest community festival in Leeds \u2013 is \u00a350,000.<\/p>\n

The Inner South West Community Committee is made up of councillors for Armley and Kirkstall wards, plus Beeston & Holbeck and Hunslet & Riverside wards.<\/p>\n

Other grants approved by the committee, which met last yesterday evening in Leeds Civic Hall, include:<\/p>\n