The Peace and Emergency Planning Unit at Leeds City Council works to ensure that the council and its partners are ready to respond when needed. They prepare for and respond to a diverse range of emergencies that can include everything from flooding, evacuation, chemical incidents and animal diseases, through to terrorism or environmental disasters.

The peace work represents one facet of an individual team member's day, yet its impact should not be underplayed. Mr Sockall is correct to identify that they actively support and link with the district's peace groups.

As a council, we assist groups in undertaking good work that relates to peace, just as we do with other community-based initiatives. These groups help our communities live together without conflict and bring about understanding of differing needs. They bring positive benefits to our community.

The work with Together for Peace, the Chernobyl Children's Project, Mayors for Peace, Peacelink and many other organisations is about enabling groups and helping them have an impact or realise greater direct benefit within Leeds. In a time of conflict around the world it is these like-minded individuals who can help bring about change.

On the lighter side, education and community resilience is a growing piece of work the team are spearheading. One current initiative is interactive, face-to-face education that will help a generation of children grow up understanding how they can help those most in need during an emergency. This will help build a cohesive, stronger, safer Leeds for the entire community; citizens, businesses and visitors alike.

Coun Richard Brett (Burmantofts & Richmond Hill Ward)