In January, Leeds’ Tory/Lib-Dem Council dumped its plans to build a Waste Transfer Facility on Kirkstall Road.

That decision, officially based on cost considerations, followed a hugely successful campaign amongst the local community against plans to handle waste opposite their houses, schools and shops.

The Council has revealed the true extent of the financial costs of the site. Had the Council built the station on Evanston Avenue, it would have cost the taxpayer £424,000 extra PER YEAR. This exorbitant figure does not even take into account the costs of building a new facility.

The Council was keen to push through a plan that would have been both a blight on the local area and burden on Kirkstall Road, at a cost of nearly half a million pounds every year.

Although delighted at the campaign’s success, Rachel is determined to make sure that lessons are learnt from the farcical project, and that the site is put to best use in future.

Rachel spoke to a Council meeting last week, questioning the decisions taken so far and making sure that the site is not forgotten by the Council moving forward. She said: “While it is great news that we won’t see a massive station in a ridiculous location, it is important that the site isn’t forgotten, and that the ugly burnt shell of the old station is removed.”

Rachel will continue to fight alongside your local Labour Councillors to ensure that

- the eyesore of the old facility is removed;
- the site is transformed into a modern recycling facility;
- local residents are properly consulted on future plans; and
- the Council is held to account for its decision making on the project.

You can keep up to date with any developments here.

Rachel's new book is due for release next Friday, and you can support the Party by ordering your copy direct!

With a foreword by Gordon Brown, it is part of the "Why Vote" series of books published by Biteback, and will be available from bookstores on Friday March 5th. As well as charting Rachel's personal reasons for voting Labour, it includes personal stories from people around the country about what Labour means to them.

You can pre-order a signed copy direct from Rachel now - If you do £5 from each sale will go to support Labour's election campaign. To order your copy, priced at £6.99, simply email whyvotelabour@googlemail.com.

More information about the "Why Vote" series is available here

Rachel Reeves has joined hundreds of candidates across the country in signing up to Cancer Research UK's Cancer Commitment, aiming to make UK cancer outcomes among the best in Europe in the next ten years.

The Commitment promises to focus on detecting cancer earlier, providing world class treatment, preventing more cancers, tackling cancer inequalities and protecting the UK’s research base.

Rachel said: “I am commited to the fight against cancer, and will support measures designed to aid the early detection, prevention, and improved treatment of cancer if I am elected as an MP. Leeds West also suffers from health inequalities, and I will also support any measure which aims to reduce these.”

More than one in three people in Leeds West will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. In the last thirty years, the UK’s 10-year survival rates have doubled but cancer survival rates still lag behind the best performing countries in Europe such as Sweden, Norway and Finland. Cancer Research UK is calling on Parliamentary candidates to commit now that if they are elected, they will help make cancer outcomes for patients in the UK among the best in Europe in a decade.

This Labour government has provided more progress on cancer than any other government in the last 50 years. From the Cancer Plan in 2000, which provided huge investment to the treatment of the disease, to the Cancer Reform Strategy in 2007 that enabled better prevention and awareness of cancer, this government has taken great strides in the fight against cancer. We also know that cigarettes contain over 90 cancer causing substances, which is why this government has also legislated to ban smoking in public places, remove cigarette vending machines entirely, and take cigarettes out of displays at newsagents and other shops. If re-elected this government will continue to fight against cancer, with measures like the cancer guarantee, which will guarantee that anyone suspected of cancer will be seen by a specialist within one week. This guarantee could save up to 10,000 lives per year.

For information on Cancer Research UK’s Commit To Beat Cancer campaign, visit: www.CommitToBeatCancer.org

The old clinic on Theaker Lane has been left in an unacceptable state. Rachel recently visited it alongside the environmental health team, to find it strewn with litter. With the building unsecured and reports that used needles are also in the area, it is vital that the area gets cleaned up.

Rachel has spoken to the police, to ensure that they and the council are aware of the mess, that bins are provided and the clinic boarded up, and that needle disposal advice is available where necessary. She will be following up to make sure the changes are put in place.

Rachel has been featured this week in the Progress Online response to Prime Minister's Questions.

After the Prime Minister faced a series of questions about gossip and intrigue, Rachel said: "Brown was determined to talk policy and wasn't sent off-course. He also had control of the House, even providing his own commentary on the questions."

You can read the full comments, alongside those of columnist Paul Richards and blogger Conor Ryan, here.

Today marks the start of Fairtrade Fortnight - 2 weeks of events to encourage fairtrade in Leeds!

Rachel will be attending events in New Wortley, Old Farnley and at Christ Church in Armley.

To find out more about the events that are going on in Leeds and get involved, visit www.fairtradeleeds.org.uk

On Thursday night Labour's Gerry Harper won the by election in Hyde Park and Woodhouse, caused by the sad death of the Liberal Democrat Councillor Kabeer Hussain.

Here are the results:

Lab      1,054 (48%, +15)
LibDem     671 (30%, -14)
Con        188 ( 9%,  +3)
Ind        150 ( 7%,  +5)
Green      140 ( 6%,  -5)

Lab gain from Lib Dem

Rachel commented, "This was a great result for Labour, and I want to send my congratulations to Gerry and his team. The result shows that Labour's local campaigning against the Council's plans are resonating with the public."

On Thursday night Rachel debated policy in front of a large audience at the City Inn hotel in Leeds. The event was promoted by Total Politics magazine, and the other politicians on the panel were Greg Mulholland MP, David Davis MP and Godfrey Bloom MEP.

Rachel commented, "It was good to discuss policy, and answer questions from the audience. In the run up to the election it is important that we continue to discuss the big issues such as how we can tackle climate change, and ensure that the economic recovery is completed."

The West Leeds Rugby Club have just achieved the prestigious Clubmark Gold Accreditation, which is testament to the hard work and effort of local volunteers and players. Well done to everyone involved.

The Rugby Club, on Tong Road in New Wortley teaches boys and girls and is going from strength to strength with Colin and Sam, who run the club, ensuring that they can offer first rate training and playing to local youngsters.

For the new school term in March, the club have developed an introductory training session for Primary School Children and plan to roll it out to our local primary schools in the hope of starting another set of Under 8s. The main pitch is now back in use after the snow, and hosted a Pennine Cup Quarter Final game on Saturday against Wibsey.

As well as campaigning, Rachel spoke at the Citizens Advice Bureaux annual conference last week on the importance of advice and guidance to people especially through the recession. Rachel spoke about the excellent work that the CAB does in Leeds along with the Leeds and Bramley Credit Unions and the Leeds West Debt Forum.

The week concluded with the Yorkshire Labour Party annual conference. The BBC Yorkshire Politics Show visited and interviewed Rachel. The show can be found here

The organisers of the 'I Love West Leeds Festival' are kicking off the festival early this year, with a new radio station - West Fresh Radio.

They are looking for young budding journalists to come to free podcasting workshops and take part in a brand new radio station.

Youngsters have a chance to learn how to use professional equipment and produce a podcast for broadcast.

Workshops will be held at Armley Mills from 11am until 4pm on the following Saturdays:

February 20
February 27
April 10
June 5
July 17
September 18
November 6

To book a place and be part of a brand new radio station, email ilovewestleeds@gmail.com

Find out more info at www.ilovewestleeds.co.uk