Bradford Live "to make £17 million" for Bradford Council by 2050 ...
... Phillips and Moore to talk grooming, draft libraries strategy invite and more ...
Bradford Council “set to make” £17 million from Bradford Live over 25 years
Bradford Council expects to generate around £17 million from its agreement with Trafalgar Entertainment, the new operators of Bradford Live, over the course of a quarter of a century.
Trafalgar Entertainment, which describes itself as an “award-winning global live-entertainment business” has agreed to a 25-year lease to operate the historic venue (it opened in 1930).
The annual rental income from this, as well as an “additional profit-share arrangement”, will allow the council to recoup some of the £44 million that it has spent on restoring the venue.
“This project is about so much more than the money,” said Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council. “Bradford Live is a building the people of Bradford campaigned to save, and we did.
“It's a building of social and cultural significance which has now been restored as one of the premier venues in the country with a bright future ahead under the expert management of Trafalgar Entertainment, who we’ve been delighted to welcome to Bradford.”
The NEC Group was announced as Bradford Live’s operator in 2017. However, in September 2024, it pulled out. This was after a period of “near-total silence”, as Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, described it at the time.
"It’s been very frustrating that we have had to remain so tight-lipped but at all times we have followed expert legal advice to protect the interests of the venue and the council,” Hinchcliffe said when the announcement was made that the council was looking for a new operator.
“Advice from the sector leads us to believe that there are a number of potential operators who have shown initial interest in the venue. We are now in a position to have further discussions with them about the opportunity. We can’t say more about this at this stage given the commercially sensitive nature of discussions.”
Minister for safeguarding agrees to sit down with Keighley and Ilkley MP to discuss grooming gangs
The Labour minister for safeguarding “welcomes” spending time with the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley to better understand what is happening in his constituency with regards to grooming gangs inquiries.
Jess Phillips, in response to Robbie Moore’s criticism of her statement in the House of Commons, said she gave him “absolute credit” for shining a spotlight on this issue.
“I am more than happy to sit down with him,” she said. “Absolutely nothing that I have said today suggests that Bradford would not be able to access funding from the Home Office, just as Oldham has, to undertake the work that might be needed there. I would very much welcome a conversation with him about that.”
Moore argued that no real progress has been made since the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, committed the government to supporting locally-led inquiries (and backed by £5 million of funding).
He was also keen to point the blame at Bradford Council, saying that the leadership has, for the last five years, “denied, refused and covered up, every single time I and victims, survivors and their families have called for a full rape gang inquiry across Keighley and the wider Bradford District”.
Moore continued:
“Bradford’s leadership simply will not act by itself, so why is this government letting the very councils that failed victims decide whether they want to be investigated?
“When will this government step up, use their statutory powers and give the victims and survivors in areas such as Keighley and the wider Bradford district the full inquiry that they have wanted for almost two decades?”
The solicitor David Greenwood, head of Switalskis child abuse compensation, wrote in February that Bradford must be included in any national grooming gang inquiry, describing the scale of the issue as “deeply concerning”. He said:
“Reports suggest that the crisis here could be as significant – if not greater – than those uncovered in Rotherham, Rochdale, Oldham, and Telford. Other towns have faced their moment of reckoning, but Bradford has not. Instead, survivors have been left with unanswered questions and a deep sense of betrayal.”
West Yorkshire’s roads to “benefit from multimillion pound investment”
£125 million has been committed to improving around 450 miles of road across West Yorkshire over the next two years.
Regional leaders approved the funding at a full West Yorkshire Combined Authority meeting last week, with £105.2 million earmarked for asset management.
This includes resurfacing and repairing roads, improving drains and updating signs across the county.
Around £10 million has been allocated to what has been described as “network management”, which will see new pedestrian crossings introduced and “enhanced” traffic lights.
Approximately £8.3 million will be used to power initiatives under the safe roads programme, including the introduction of new traffic calming measures.
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, acknowledged that low-grade roads were a big problem for motorists, causing damage to cars and making driving hazardous. She said:
“This funding will be a huge boost to help fix more potholes, repair more roads and improve safety. Ensuring all our roads are safe and well-maintained is important for building a better-connected region.”
Last month, the Labour government announced that local authorities would benefit from extra cash to tackle what has been dubbed the “pothole plague”.
After years of neglect we’re tackling the pothole plague, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer.
Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, said that after “years of neglect”, the government was committed to improving the UK’s roads and that councils would be held to a higher standard to ensure fairer funding allocation. She added:
“The public deserves to know how their councils are improving their local roads, which is why they will have to show progress or risk losing 25% of their £500 million funding boost.
“Our Plan for Change is reversing a decade of decline and mending our pothole-ridden roads, which damage cars and make pedestrians and cyclists less safe.”
Bradford Libraries Strategy 2025-2030: have your say
Bradford Council is inviting residents in the district to review and share their thoughts on the draft Libraries Strategy 2025-30.
Describing libraries as vital community hubs, the strategy is, in part, a response to what it describes as a “changing district”.
Key considerations include how to respond to ongoing financial challenges (the council needs to save £50 million a year until 2030), how to deal with rising inequalities (how libraries can play a role in tackling this) and taking into consideration technological shifts (ensuring libraries adapt accordingly).
The vision for Bradford’s libraries is:
“To be a hub at the heart of communities, a free, welcoming space which fosters an environment of care and collaboration, enhances the quality of life and provides the tools and resources for people to thrive, enrich their lives and become empowered, engaged citizens.”
The council said that the previous strategy had seen a 73% increase in the number of people attending libraries, that it has improved the IT offering, from wifi-enabled printing and self-service tablets to the replacement of PCs and that it has innovated with developments like automatic library membership from birth.
There are 10 council-run libraries in the district: City, Keighley, Shipley, Bingley, Eccleshill, Ilkley, Laisterdyke, Manningham, Wibsey and Wyke.
In addition to this, there are 15 community-managed libraries in Addingham, Allerton, Bolling, Burley, Denholme, Great Horton, Heaton, Holme Wood, Idle, Menston, Queensbury, Silsden, Thornbury, Thornton and Wilsden, as well as two “hybrid libraries”, which are managed by the community with the support of one paid member of staff (from the council).
Have your say here.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service: #BeMoorAware
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has launched its annual reminder to ensure locals in the county play their part in keeping the countryside safe as we settle into drier weather.
The campaign, dubbed #BeMoorAware, advises people to avoid using BBQs, open fires or fireworks on the moorland and to get rid of rubbish properly.
Imran Ali, assistant district commander for Kirklees and station manager for WYFRS, said that looking after the countryside was a shared responsibility:
“The moors are there for everyone to enjoy, and we want everyone to act considerately. With warmer weather ahead and the recent change to longer daylight hours, it’s even more critical that we work together to prevent fires. Let’s learn from the past and ensure that our beautiful moorlands remain safe for all."
It took around 50 firefighters in total three days to bring a substantial wildfire on Meltham Moor under control last summer. It was found that a disposable barbecue was the cause.
WYFRS was also keen to stress that public space protection orders (PSPOs) are in place across district moorlands, which prohibit activities that risk causing wildfires. Any breach could lead to a prosecution and a fine.
If you’re planning on enjoying the weather in the sticks this spring and summer, familiarising yourself with the countryside code is recommended. You’ll find it here.
Letters
What a great seven days last week were as regards Labour's plan for change. First, we had confirmation that 500,000 vital NHS appointments and operations were saved by ending strikes after the election.
Second, it was revealed that 24,000 people have been returned with no right to be here since the general election (including 3,500 criminals).
Third, we saw a £302 million cash injection to fix further education colleges.
Fourth, an extra £617 million was announced over two years for community pharmacies.
Fifth, 1,000 flood defence projects were announced protecting 66,500 properties.
Sixth, we saw a £470 increase in state pension for millions of pensioners.
Seventh, the first 300 new school-based nurseries were announced.
And eighth, Three million workers got a pay rise through increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.
Promises made by Labour and promises kept by Labour.
Geoffrey Brooking is 53 years old, a Labour activist and has been writing to national and local newspapers for 38 years now.
News in brief
Ilkley Town Council Hall to close for essential work
A reminder that Ilkley Town Council Hall will be closing its doors from Thursday 17 April so that the central heating system can be upgraded and any asbestos removed from the roof. Staff at the council will be based on The Grove in the interim. More info here.
Busking comes to Ilkley
Ilkley Live is launching five new busking spots in the town with a special Busking Festival kicking off the initiative on Saturday 2 May. The busking spots will be at Grove Park, outside Avanti, outside Go Outdoors, at Riverside Gardens and inside Ilkley station. More info here.
Friends of Wharfedale Greenway give update on route
In a piece for The Ilkley Journal, the Friends of Wharfedale Greenway gave a welcome update on the work being done to create a “safe, sustainable route [that will] connect communities along the Wharfe Valley”. More info here.
Regeneration and environment overview and scrutiny committee meeting
The regeneration and environment overview and scrutiny committee will meet on Tuesday 15 April. Three reports are being submitted: an update on sports and leisure, one relates to the biodiversity and environment act, and the final one sets out the background and purpose of local development frameworks. More info here.