Latest news with #RyanStephenson
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leeds robot delivery scheme likely to expand
A supermarket delivery service that uses robots to drop off food at customers' homes has covered 36,000 miles in Leeds. Leeds City Council said the distance was equivalent to more than 22,000 car miles - and the average robot delivery used as much energy as boiling the kettle for a single cup of tea. The trial scheme is a partnership between the council, Co-op and Starship Technologies that started in 2022 in a bid to reduce emissions. However, one councillor argued the robots could have a "negative economic impact" on retailers as the machines are not big enough to do a weekly shop. A council report also said the robots have saved around 6,000kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) and new pilots could be launched in partnership with the University of Leeds and logistics firm white, six-wheeled machines travel on pavements, can navigate around obstacles and travel at human walking pace - no faster than 4mph (6km/h).They were even dressed as reindeer over Christmas 2022, the year they launched. The report added: "The expansion of the Starship trial service in areas throughout Leeds has been approved to support future growth in this sector over the next few years."The transport strategy team is initiating talks with potential providers to explore support for upcoming trials."But Ryan Stephenson, Conservative councillor for Harewood, pointed out: "You can't do your weekly shop in them. "I suspect people are sat on their couches, ordering pasties and a bottle of pop and paying extra for the privilege." 'Pasties and pop' He added: "What they are not doing is going to the shop and supermarket, and while they are there calling at the other shops and the high street and spending."The service is currently only available in north and east Leeds with Co-op stores in Adel, Tinshill, Kippax and Swarcliffe involved in the scheme. The report also said the initiative was still at the trial stage because the government did not yet allow robots to permanently use public highways, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Wakefield Council has also teamed up with Co-op and Starship Technologies to offer the service to 13,000 residents of to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fears for children as bereavement service shuts
Fears have been raised for grieving children following the decision to close a specialist bereavement service. Leeds City Council said it took the "difficult" decision to shut the Child Bereavement Support Service to help make £106m of savings in the next financial year. Run by Child Bereavement UK, the provision supports children and young people coping with loss, as well as families when a child has died. Councillor Ryan Stephenson, shadow cabinet member for children and families, said that the support it provided to children in vulnerable situations "should have been at the very bottom of the list of cuts, not at the top". He said the service had delivered 1,200 support sessions a year for around 270 families. Helen Hayden, executive member for children and families, said: "This is not a judgement on the performance or value of the service, which was excellent. "This is a difficult decision, driven by significant financial pressures faced by the council." A report said the move would save £136,000 as part of wider savings in the Children and Families Directorate, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It said a consultation was held on terminating the contract early, which noted "concern around the gap in services for children affected by bereavement". Hayden added: "We'll remain focussed on maintaining and further developing comprehensive support for children and families." The service will continue until the end of its contract on 28 February. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. Child Bereavement UK
