Leeds Council to Review New Social Cohesion Strategy

Plans to strengthen community ties and promote inclusion in Leeds

Leeds City Council is set to present a new social cohesion strategy to its leaders on 11 February 2026. The strategy, titled Stronger Leeds Strategy 2026-30, aims to address issues affecting residents’ sense of belonging and to foster a shared pride in the city’s diverse communities.

Key principles and objectives

Social cohesion refers to the ability of people from different backgrounds and cultures to live together peacefully, sharing common values and responsibilities. The strategy highlights the importance of investing in social connections across faiths, races, and other differences to build trust and resilience against division.

Following consultations with local communities, the strategy focuses on four main principles:

• Participation: Encouraging active involvement from all community members.
• Relationships: Building and maintaining positive interactions between diverse groups.
• Belonging: Enhancing residents’ feelings of inclusion and connection to the city.
• Equality: Promoting fairness and tackling inequality across communities.

These principles align with the Leeds Ambitions roadmap, which focuses on reducing poverty and inequality.

Delivery and community engagement

The strategy’s delivery plan emphasises collaboration with voluntary organisations, faith groups, grassroots initiatives, and public sector partners, recognising their central role in local communities. It includes a detailed list of actions for the first year, developed from community feedback on improving relationships and addressing barriers to cohesion.

One priority is to facilitate conversations that explore differences and promote understanding. This includes engaging young people through schools and youth services in discussions about inclusion, critical thinking, stereotypes, and misconceptions.

Another focus is ongoing learning about community needs and effective approaches, involving residents in decision-making processes.

Anti-discrimination campaign continues

Alongside the strategy, the council is supporting an anti-discrimination campaign in partnership with city anchor organisations. Launched in 2025, the campaign features posters in the city centre and social media activity promoting a message of zero tolerance towards various forms of discrimination, including:

• Misogyny
• Racism
• Anti-Muslim prejudice
• Antisemitism
• Hinduphobia
• Ageism
• Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia
• Disability discrimination

The campaign’s tagline, “What makes us different makes us Leeds,” aims to celebrate the city’s diversity.

Council response

Councillor Asghar Khan, executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said the city’s multicultural nature is a source of pride. He acknowledged recent challenges affecting community connections and emphasised the need for ongoing efforts to strengthen social cohesion.

He added: “We want everyone in Leeds to feel respected and welcome, and we will not tolerate any discrimination or hate crime.”

The full strategy will be available as part of the council’s agenda on 11 February 2026.