This week sees a big change in West Yorkshire as voters go to the polls tomorrow.
Residents will be asked to elect their first ever metro-mayor for the region, as well as taking part in local councillor elections.
In what is set to be a busy day for elections, around 48 million people will be casting various ballots across the country this Thursday, May 6th.
What elections are being held in West Yorkshire?
There are two elections being held in the region, with councillors being elected to serve on local councils and the first-ever West Yorkshire mayoral election taking place.
The new metro mayor for West Yorkshire will chair and lead the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, absorbing some of the previous responsibilities of the West Yorkshire police and crime commissioner..
This role will now include appointing the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police and raising the portion of council tax which helps fund the police.
When do polling stations open?
Polling stations will be open between 7am to 10pm.
At polling stations, voters will need to wear face coverings – unless medically exempt – and social distancing measures will be widely enforced.
Voters are encouraged to bring their own pens or pencils to mark ballot papers.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there will also be emergency measures for people who have tested positive prior, or who have been forced to self-isolate.
Under this circumstance, an emergency proxy can be appointed up to 5pm on polling day.
Who is running for the first West Yorkshire Mayor?
The candidates for the first West Yorkshire mayoral election are:
Tracy Brabin - Labour
Bob Buxton - Yorkshire Party
Andrew Cooper - Green
Stewart Golton - Liberal Democrats
Matthew Robinson - Conservative
Waj Ali - Reform UK
Thérèse Hirst - English Democrats
Where do I go to vote?
Local polling stations may have moved this year so it's worth checking where your allocated station is ahead of time.
The details of this should be on your poll card, delivered to your address. If you've lost it, you can check your allotted station here.
The deadline to register for postal votes has now passed.
When will we know the results?
Following the election, voters will have a three-day wait to find out who their new mayor is.
Due to social distancing rules, the count for West Yorkshire mayor will take place on Sunday May 9th.
Ballots will be verified on Friday, then sealed and stored securely until Sunday when the count will take place
A spokesperson for the council said: "The elections for the West Yorkshire mayor will take place on 9 May 2021.
"All five constituent councils will be counting with reduced staff due to social distancing measures.
"It is anticipated the count will take longer than usual, however no timings have been confirmed at present."
News
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
5th May 2021 
