Leeds, also known as the City of Leeds, is a metropolitan borough with city status in West Yorkshire, England. The metropolitan borough includes the administrative centre of Leeds and the towns of Farsley, Garforth, Guiseley, Horsforth, Morley, Otley, Pudsey, Rothwell, Wetherby and Yeadon. It has a population of 822,483 (2022), making it technically the second largest city in England by population behind Birmingham, since London is not a single local government entity. Local governance sits with Leeds City Council and the city's 32 Parish Councils.
Image: Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds geograph.org.uk 5869777
Image: Wetherby Town Hall (11th June 2021)
Image: Otley Market Place clock 7 August 2017
Image: Morley Town Hall, Queen Street (geograph 6368393)
City status in the United Kingdom
City status in the United Kingdom is granted by the monarch of the United Kingdom to specific centres of population, which might or might not meet the generally accepted definition of cities. As of 22 November 2022, there are 76 cities in the United Kingdom—55 in England, seven in Wales, eight in Scotland, and six in Northern Ireland. Although it carries no special rights, the status of city can be a marker of prestige and confer local pride.
Until the 19th century, city status in England and Wales was associated with the presence of a cathedral, such as York Minster.
Birmingham was the first English town without an Anglican cathedral to be granted city status. Birmingham City Council meets at the Council House.