Cash strapped Bradford Council will get a much-needed boost of almost £12 million as part of a decision to shore up budgets of West Yorkshire Councils.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority today approved plans to return a total of £51m to the five local authorities that make up West Yorkshire.
The money comes from a transport budget used to fund long term infrastructure schemes in Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield Councils.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin says the Authority is still committed to the future transport schemes, but argued that the money was needed for Councils facing “extreme financial pressure.”
The cash will be refunded based on the population of each authority.
Bradford, which has a population of 546,400 will get £11,884,363.
The refund could prove vital for under pressure Bradford Council. Recent budget estimates suggest the Council is predicted to overspend this year’s budget by around £13m.
However, the Bradford Children’s Trust, which is funded by the Council, has yet to reveal its budget, and could add millions to this overspend.
Leeds, which has a population of 812,000 will get £17.6m.
Calderdale, with a population of 206,600 gets £4.49m, Kirklees (433,000 population) will get £9.4m and Wakefield (353,000) gets £7.68m.
At the meeting Angela Taylor, director of finance, said: “We plan to refund local authorities in this time of extreme financial pressure. It is a real issue you councils are dealing with as we speak.”
She said the authority was still dedicated to funding the long term transport schemes.
Councils across the country have faced serious financial challenges posed by high inflation, rising costs and increased demand for children’s and adult social care, following the Covid-19 pandemic and funding cuts from central government.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “With town halls across the country declaring huge financial deficits, it is only right that regional leaders work together and step in where they can. But I am urging the government to stop passing the buck for their mismanagement of the economy and properly fund local government for the long-term.”
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “One of the benefits of working closely in partnership with the Combined Authority is that we’re able to ensure funding is in the right place at the right time to be of best use.
“While this return of funding is appreciated, it in no way makes up for the £350m in funding for Bradford that has been cut by central government.
“Many local authorities nationally are facing significant financial challenges, government needs to change its approach to ensure councils can continue to meet increasing demand for services amid high inflation and energy costs.”
