PEOPLE in Otley and Yeadon are being urged to speak out against planned cuts to services.

Leeds City Council is proposing to cut opening hours at libraries and community hubs in the two towns and will also reduce floral planting.

The suggested cuts are being put forward as part of the council's 2021/22 budget savings proposals as it faces a shortfall of £119 million.

The council has launched a public consultation on its proposals this week and is asking councillors and local people to make their views known and to give feedback on when they would like to use the services.

In an email to ward councillors it says: "By reviewing our opening hours we will be able to make savings through staffing reductions whilst keeping all of our libraries and community hubs open.We have sufficient members of our team who have expressed an interest in the council's voluntary Early Leavers Initiative which will facilitate the delivery of the staffing reductions needed to meet this saving proposal."

A 50 per cent cut is planned to seasonal bedding throughout the city, along with a 50 per cent reduction in floral decorations in the city centre. The council says its support to In Bloom groups will not change, and it is contacting the Parks Forum, In-Bloom and Friends of groups directly to seek their views.

Otley and Yeadon ward councillors Sandy Lay, Colin Campbell and Ryk Downes are urging residents to speak out against the proposed cuts to services.

"Leeds suggestion that the opening hours of community hubs should be cut is not acceptable", said Cllr Lay. "This is the public face of the council where residents can talk to council officers and raise complaints or questions. If this service is reduced it will mean many residents, particularly those who cannot use the internet, will have great difficulty receiving advice and support."

Cllr Campbell said:"Libraries with their provision of books and computer access is one of the council's core services, particularly as many of its services can only be accessed online. Indeed this is the only way residents can respond to these proposals. Cutting this service disadvantages everyone from those who wish to read to those who wish to access council and government services".

Cllr Downes added:"The Council have been reducing formal planting in parks for some time. In some cases this is appropriate because it allows for more informal areas which benefit wildlife. However certain areas such as formal parks and the remembrance garden are enhanced with formalise planting and a reduction would make these a duller place".

The consultation will take place until Monday, February 1. Residents are being asked to visit www.leeds.gov.uk/LibraryHoursConsultation and https://surveys.leeds.gov.uk/s/YG5736/ to let the council know what they think.