A controversial decision to divert £400,000 earmarked for cultural events and community organisations to help reopen a district tip will face further scrutiny from Bradford councillors.
Earlier this month, Bradford Council’s Reform Executive voted to reopen the Sugden End Household Waste Recycling Centre at Cross Roads, near Keighley, by the end of the year.
While the reopening was welcomed, concerns were raised over how the Executive plans to pay for it.
Under the decision, £400,000 previously allocated to support cultural events, local organisations and activities across the Bradford district would be “de-prioritised”.
The decision has now been “called in” by Bingley Labour councillor Susan Fricker and will be considered by the Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 22 September.
The process will give councillors from across the political parties an opportunity to scrutinise the plans before deciding whether to accept and release the decision or refer it back to the Executive for reconsideration.
Cllr Fricker’s challenge is not focused on the reopening of the tip itself, but on the decision to use money previously intended for culture and community activity to fund it.
The £400,000 was included in a budget approved ahead of May’s local elections and was intended to “support the delivery of events across the district to promote local heritage, culture and arts and drive increased footfall in district centres”.
The funding was divided into two £200,000 pots.
One was intended for events and festivals, helping local groups stage activities across the district designed to increase footfall on high streets and bring communities together.
The plans included everything from local heritage projects and markets to arts events, small and medium-sized festivals, live music, food and cultural events, based around what local communities wanted.
The remaining £200,000 was earmarked as strategic support for local organisations running events, providing revenue investment for community cultural organisations and helping them continue activities in district centres and high streets.
In her reasons for calling in the decision, Cllr Fricker said: “The funds were designed for communities to run local events, to support increases in footfall to high streets and town centres, to support local businesses, our creative industries and to enhance local pride in place.
“The termination of these funds will have detrimental impacts upon local communities, local businesses, our creative industries and the reputation of the council.
“The report to the Executive and the meeting of the Executive failed to give any consideration to the impact of terminating these funds, there was no relevant cost/benefit analysis.
“The report to the Executive and the Executive meeting failed to give any consideration to alternative sources of funding for the HWRC proposals.”
At last week’s Executive meeting, Cllr Imran Khan, leader of the Labour group, argued that alternative funding should be found to reopen Sugden End rather than taking money away from arts and cultural activities.
He said: “It doesn’t have to be one or the other.”
However, Council Leader Stephen Place defended the decision, saying reopening the tip would benefit residents across Bradford, particularly those in the Keighley area.
The Scrutiny Committee will now consider the decision on Tuesday before determining whether it should proceed or be sent back to the Executive for reconsideration.
