Terms of use

These terms explain how you can use Leeds.gov.uk, what to expect from us, and what we ask from you when you use our website or social media channels.

Contents

How and when we update

We work hard to make sure the content on our website is accurate and up to date. However, be aware we can’t accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or claim arising directly or indirectly from any inaccuracy in any of the material on leeds.gov.uk.

If you find inaccurate information on our site email webmaster@leeds.gov.uk.

Using Leeds.gov.uk content

In general any reproduction, transmission or storage of any text, graphics, images, film or sound files, code, design or logos on this website is forbidden without written permission from Leeds City Council. Our copyright and other intellectual property rights are protected by UK laws and by international treaties.

You may download content from this website to file or print without our permission, provided this is not re-used or re-published in any way. If you want to re-publish information from this website or use it for something other than your own personal use, use the contact us form to ask for permission.

The name ‘Leeds City Council’, any historic names of the council, the common seal, our official logo and the coat of arms are protected by UK laws. This means none of these can be used without prior written permission from Leeds City Council. Requests to use the name, historic names, common seal, or coat of arms should be made to the Lord Mayor’s secretary, Civic Hall, Leeds LS1 1UR.

Requests to use the official logo of Leeds City Council should be made to the corporate communications team.

By post

Civic Hall,
Leeds
LS1 1UR

Email

communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Using Google Translate

Translations on Leeds City Council's website are performed by Google Translate. Google Translate is a free translation service that provides instant translations between different languages. Note, not all text may be translated accurately or be translated at all.

Leeds City Council is not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate translations. Leeds City Council will not be responsible for any damage, loss, claim or liability, whether arising directly or indirectly through the use of Google Translate. If you have any questions about Google Translate, go to the Google Translate website.

Using RSS feeds from Leeds.gov.uk

RSS stands for 'Really Simple Syndication'. RSS feeds allow you to stay up to date with the latest news and events . To subscribe to it, you will need a feed reader or other similar device.

To make use of an RSS feed you will need to use a feed reader. Feed readers can be websites, or they can be a program you download to your computer. Most modern browsers automatically check for feeds when you visit the site and display an icon when they find one.

Opendata

The government has promised to open up data across the public sector to increase public accountability as part of their transparency agenda.

We will publish data openly to demonstrate transparency in operations, and we will allow access to it free of charge (subject to copyright and licence permission).

Ordnance Survey (OS) maps

You are granted a non-exclusive, royalty free, revocable licence solely to view the licensed data for non-commercial purposes for the period during which Leeds City Council makes it available. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute, sell or otherwise make available the Licensed Data to third parties in any form. Third party rights to enforce the terms of this licence shall be reserved to OS.

Our site contains links to and from other web sites. We do not necessarily endorse or support the organisations that are linked to or from our website. We cannot guarantee links will work all of the time, and we have no control over the availability of the linked pages on other websites.

We welcome other websites to link to the information hosted on these pages. You do not have to ask permission to link but we can provide wording and linking graphics.

Virus and malware protection

We make every effort to check and test the material on our site for malicious software or 'malware'. However, Leeds City Council cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any loss, disruption or damage to your computer system or information contained on it, which may occur as a result of using material from our site. It is always advisable to run an anti-virus program on any material downloaded from the internet.

If an email infected with malicious software is sent to us, it will be deleted automatically before it reaches our email system. If you don't receive acknowledgement of your email within 10 working days, contact us.

Social media use

Our social media channels communicate a range of information, news and important updates from Leeds City Council, our services, and partner organisations. We hope our channels are useful in providing you with important content when you need it.

Our core principle is to maintain a respectful and safe environment on social media, just as you would in a public space.

We are happy to help and respond to your queries if you message us on the council’s Facebook or Leeds Council Help X account, but we may refer you to different services if they are better suited to answer your question.

Active hours

Our social media accounts are monitored Monday to Friday during standard working hours and direct messages are replied to 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on Facebook and the Leeds City Council Help X account.

We occasionally schedule content on our accounts outside of these hours but will be unable to respond to questions or comments. If you have an urgent query, complaint or compliment, use the information on the contact us webpage.

Social media house rules

We want our social media channels to be healthy safe spaces for everyone across the city and we welcome comments and engagement on our posts. Whilst we understand social media is a place for open discussion where users are invited to feed back on important topics, we do have a short set of house rules.

  1. All users must comply with the social media platform’s terms of use as well as our own.
  2. You are wholly responsible for any content you post including content you choose to share.

Why content may be removed

We do not accept obscenities or insults and we will remove any posts or content, in whole or in part, that we consider to be abusive, discriminatory, threatening or intimidating towards council staff or any other person.

To protect your privacy, we may delete posts containing personal information. We strongly advise you not to publish any personal information in our comments section. If you need to send us personal information, send us a direct message.

We also reserve the right to block or report users on our social media channels who post messages or content to us that we believe is:

  • abusive, discriminatory, threatening or intimidating towards elected members, staff or any other person
  • graphic, explicit or offensive
  • deceptive or misleading, including spreading misinformation and disinformation
  • in violation of any intellectual property rights
  • in violation of any law or regulation
  • spam, or posting the same message (or variations of the same message) multiple times
  • trolling, which is purposely posting controversial, irrelevant or off topic comments to ‘bait’ or provoke a reaction
  • hateful or discriminatory based on someone’s protected characteristics
  • in violation of someone’s privacy or confidentiality, including posting personal or confidential information about others without their consent, including other social media users, staff or elected members

Why comments may be restricted

Occasionally, commenting may be restricted on our posts. This is usually when we are unable to monitor commenting outside of working hours. Commenting may also be restricted in other circumstances where we consider it necessary, including when we receive a large volume of hateful or abusive language directed towards people’s protected characteristics on social media. We do not tolerate this on our platforms.

Hate crime and incidents

You are a victim of a hate crime or incident if someone has targeted a crime at you or behaved badly towards you because of your:

  • race or ethnicity
  • disability
  • religion or belief
  • sexual orientation
  • transgender identity

We do not tolerate hate crime on our platforms. If we believe users are inciting hate crime on our channels, they will be blocked and reported.

This also applies to dangerous speech which can either hint to, or incite hate.

View more information on reporting a hate crime.

Read the council’s equality, diversity and inclusion policy.

Politics

As a local authority we must remain politically neutral on social media. We are unable to reply to or engage with any content that is of a party-political nature. For any political issues, you should contact your local councillor. Find details for your local councillor on Democracy Leeds.

Commerce

We do not respond to posts soliciting commercial contracts or product sales, as we are governed by strict procurement rules.

Pre-election period

The pre-election period usually applies during the six-weeks before an election, including the day of the election, during which the council is restricted in what it may publish, or allow to be published on its social media. Important service updates and announcements will continue to be posted but any comments on our posts that could be interpreted as party political or supporting a particular candidate during this time will be removed.

Complaints, compliments and feedback

Feedback is welcome. If you want to tell us about something we have done well, provide feedback on services, or if you would like to make a formal complaint, use the information on our complaints, compliments and feedback page.

Privacy policy

For information on how we use and process the data you provide on social media, read our privacy policy.