The idea of this thread is to propose some rather radical, yet actionable ideas of how to make Leeds a better place, in the hope that even if they get toned down, Leeds council might listen.
Here are my ideas:
*Completely pedestrianize Leeds city centre. Boar Lane and the Headrow are already so incredibly pedestrian, having anything else going through them is just unnecessary and dangerous.
*Set up bike and electric scooter-sharing schemes, with heavy private-sector involvement and sponsorship
*Benches attract homeless people, yadda yadda. So do shop doorways. Build more benches, which is both kinder to homeless people and will still give the rest of us places to sit. And please don’t make them out of stone-cold granite or metal
*Open up the bus system to loads of competition – essentially, end the first bus monopoly. On the side, take an idea from Russia – using smaller, faster vans in between the big buses that run more frequently and cost just a tad more. In Russia and post-Soviet states, these are called Marshrutki and it works.
*Close that useless silly road that leads to the railway station (the one with Friends of Ham on) and completely pedestrianize it. That stupidly narrow pavement is a bugbear for rail commuters each day. I don’t know how the urban planners thought more people would walk from the Queen’s hotel entrance – they totally don’t.
*Dig up existing areas of cold grey pavement and plant some nice trees. Good for the planet and creates shade in summer, and would help reduce pollution just a smidge.
*At the train station, move the sign-boards away from the platform entrance near the ticket turnstiles – it creates human congestion. And make those vending machines cheaper, no-one wants to pay £2/2.5 for a bottled drink when they could get one at Sainsburys just a few feet away. Thus I bet any money that no sales are being made.
You know, downvote me for being naive or too optimistic, but I’m hopeful for good changes and really curious to see what Ford does with the OW/ODSP systems. Feel free to critically debate my points because I want to know if anyone else has an idea on what the government might do with the system.
Yes, the government doesn’t plan on any pay increases. Yes, OW/ODSP is receiving less each year until 2022 in budget funding. Yes, the government’s taking away the TCB in November. But when you take money away, you put it somewhere else. I think we all need to remember that sometimes. He wants to devote more funding into reintegration of people into employment. And I think we all get scared because one of the most common things I seem to read/hear from others on OW/ODSP is, “I can’t work”. And it’s true a lot of times. The person describes different medical conditions, physical and/or mental, that prevents them from working or keeping a job. So it’s a real concern and worry when people feel like they’re going to be forced to do something they can’t.
But what if our government develops a better employment service that can empower and employ people on ODSP/OW? What could it take for an OW/ODSP recipient to be able to work? “I could work if _______ .” What if the barriers you previously faced were eliminated? Your strengths became a focus? Proper care was taken so that your boss could make appropriate accommodations with no detriment to you or your pay?
Lisa MacLeod’s states: “I want every dollar we spend on social assistance to do one of two things. First, to provide compassionate support for those who clearly cannot re-enter the workforce. Secondly, provide meaningful assistance to those who can work so they can find a job, stabilize their life, and get back on track. We’re going to introduce these changes in a careful and measured way that minimizes disruption for those who are currently on the system.”
I’m actually expecting a revamp with more employment training into OW/ODSP for sure. I feel her statement admits that the government has previously not been helping people enough with the job process. She keeps mentioning empowerment and dignity, and that must mean investing into training people better, right? The government has been giving a very low amount of money for support payments and it isn’t working. It’s too much in the budget and at the same time, not enough for an individual on OW/ODSP. People somehow survive, but so many just get trapped and stay
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