David Spereall, Local Democracy Reporter Latest News | Yorkshire Evening Post

David Spereall, Local Democracy Reporter

David Spereall, Local Democracy Reporter

LDRS

David started covering Leeds City Council as a Local Democracy Reporter in 2022, having covered Wakefield for the Local Democracy Reporting Service for the previous four years. He has also worked as a journalist in Hull, Kirklees and Morley.

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Articles by David Spereall, Local Democracy Reporter

Highways chiefs say the results of the scheme have been “encouraging”. Photo: LDRS.

Motorcycles allowed in bus lanes permanently after Leeds council trial

The old family resource centre, on Lambrigg Crescent in Leeds (Photo by Google)

Old office could be converted into seven-bedroom council home

Carpatica Ltd, on Tong Road in Farnley. Picture from Google Maps (2023)

No evidence to support 'wild' accusations against shop, hearing told

Maxi Foods in Harehills denies owning the stash (Photo by Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Van containing £43k worth of illicit tobacco found outside shop

Rothwell's old urban district offices on Marsh Street (Photo by Google)

Old civic building and court chambers to go up for auction for £340,000

Raynville Grange and Raynville Court in Armley, pictured in 2012, are two of six tower blocks which will be demolished (Photo by Jonathan Gawthorpe/National World)

Demolition of six high-rise housing blocks to go ahead

A petition to save the old Crossgates Library has passed 1,100 signatures. Picture by Google

Petition to save old Leeds library passes 1,100 signatures

More than 13,500 referrals were made to the city’s authorities between April 2022 and March 2023. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

Council concern as adult safeguarding referrals in city reach new record levels

Transdev claimed congestion was “killing” its network

Operators blame ‘ridiculous’ roadworks for buses being late

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is paying for more officers at local bus stations and on services (Photo by James Hardisty/National World)

Extra PCSOs drafted in to help tackle 'rising anti-social behaviour' on buses

The 'Burley Beach' mural is set to be lost in the demolition of the building on Burley Street. Photo: Google

Block of 183 student flats approved with mural to be lost in demolition

Arriva and First have explained why the phenomenon happens (Photo by James Hardisty/National World)

Operators explain why 'ghost buses' disappear from digital timetables

The Yeoman, pictured by Google Maps 2008, before its closure the following year.

Former pub left empty for 14 years could be converted into flats

Julie White, 60, has pleaded with Leeds City Council to prune back the trees in the publicly-owned woodland next to her house.

Grandmother complains of trees causing her to put 'heating on in July'

Cross Gates, Horsforth and New Pudsey stations, where manned ticket offices have been saved (Photo by National World/Local Democracy Reporting Service)

'It's common sense': U-turn welcomed as ticket offices saved

The Ruth Gorse Academy's school, on Black Bull Street, says it needs more parking.

Staff forced to park on school's playground due to lack of space

The rundown property has been empty since the school was academised in 2016. Picture: Google

Old school bungalow to be auctioned off by city council in bid to raise funds

Raynville Grange in Armley is likely to be demolished. Picture from Google Maps (2021).

Plans to demolish six tower blocks on ice as rehousing issues surface

Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) say the site has broken its night flights quota for a second year running. Photo: National World/LDRS

LBA accused of breaking night-time flights quota by 470 this summer

Leeds Art Gallery was West Yorkshire’s most visited tourist attraction last year. Picture: James Hardisty

Leeds Art Gallery tops list of region’s most popular attractions

Club Atomic, on Lower Briggate in the city centre, opened in March. Picture: Simon Hulme

Popular 80s bar in city centre allowed to stay open until 1.30am

An artist's impression of how the building will look

New 30-storey tower with children's play area approved

Morley is being transformed thanks to a £24.3m investment from the government’s Towns Fund (Photo by Simon Hulme/National World)

How Morley is being transformed by a £24.3m Government investment

A CGI image indicating how the proposals may look in practice.

‘Sub-standard’ student flats scheme recommended for approval

The Mansion House, in Roundhay Park, Leeds. Picture: Tony Johnson.

Popular wedding venue saved from closure after ‘trading difficulties’

DMC Brewery owners Gez and Ele

Taproom under railway arches granted full license

Red’s True Barbecue, at the top of Call Lane, claims it needs to be allowed to sell booze to customers who aren’t eating if it is to reopen and survive. Picture: Google

Popular BBQ restaurant faces permanent closure without major restructure

Councillor Caroline Gruen pays tribute to ‘fantastic community’ as she prepares to stand down after 12 years. Picture by Leeds City Council

Leeds councillor Caroline Gruen pays tribute to ‘fantastic community’

A council planning committee voted unanimously against a scheme to build the supermarket. Picture: Google

Lidl supermarket plans 'unanimously' rejected by Leeds council

A picture taken from the southern Israeli city of Sderot on October 20, 2023, shows damage buildings amid the ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Picture: AFP via Getty Images.

Councillors 'gravely concerned' after reports of rising hate incidents

A total of 42 per cent of all services fail to reach the city’s central station on time, data from On Time Trains suggests.

Damning report shows 42 per cent of trains are delayed or cancelled

Raynville Grange in Armley is likely to be demolished. Picture Google

Demolition of six high-rise blocks approved by council with residents rehoused

Pre-pandemic data suggests Leeds has just 37 public toilets, which equates to around one for every 22,000 residents. Picture: Getty Images

Councillor warns public toilet shortage a ‘barrier’ for older people exercising

Papa John's on Belle Vue Road, in Woodhouse, will be allowed to do business until 2am on weekends. Picture: Google

Papa John's pizza chain to do business until 2am after council agreement

Bradshaw House has been vacant for some time, with efforts to find new tenants having failed. Picture: Google

Empty office block could become flats under new proposals

Job losses at Leeds City Council are "inevitable" according to a senior officer, as the authority stares down a black hole in this year’s budget. Photo: LDRS.

Job losses at council 'inevitable' as situation blamed on spiralling costs

The council said it had explored the idea of introducing a four-day week for staff.

Council opts against introducing four-day working week

The Mercure Hotel, off the A58 in Wetherby.

Decision on new supermarket set to be made imminently

Raynville Court in Bramley, one of the high rise tower block complexes in Leeds which is set for demolition.

Six high rises set for demolition - and will not be replaced 'for years'

Coun Asghar Khan said that tower block residents in East Leeds feel like "prisoners" as homeless people sleep in communal areas. Photo: Leeds City Council.

Tower block residents left feeling like 'prisoners', it is claimed

Stewart Golton, Diane Chapman and Conrad Hart-Brooke in front of the old council offices in Rothwell.

Residents left feeling 'betrayed' over sale of old civic building

It has been confirmed that the local authority is to fund winter covid jabs for all healthcare workers in Leeds, despite some NHS staff elsewhere not being entitled to a vaccine. Photo: James Hardisty.

Council to fund winter covid jabs for all healthcare workers in city