After an exceptionally busy period covering the general election, which now feels like a lifetime ago – two weeks is a lifetime in the world of politics – we’re slowing things back down again.
There are two reasons for this. One, we aim to do things differently, to take our time with stories, to write incredibly well – and at length – and to provide you with a service you won’t get anywhere else. In an age of incredible churn where information is, at times, designed more for search engines and social media platforms, this sets us apart.
Two, we’re a very small team funded, for now, largely by our editor and a small number of readers whose support we are very grateful for. What that means, in practice, is having to generate funds elsewhere and pumping it back into The Ilkley Journal.
So, if you want to see us do more of what we’ve done before, from a deep dive into the West Yorkshire mayoral election to Q&As with candidates looking to be your next MP, and so much more – we’re only going to get better – then do consider signing up as a paid supporter. It’ll only set you back the equivalent of 16p a day. Bargain.
Thank you.
NEWS IN BRIEF 🚨
Mass transit system for West Yorkshire: have your say
2028. That’s when Tracey Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, expects to have “spades in the ground” for a mass transit system that is considered to be a crucial part of her growth plan for the region. Brabin said:
"I’m committed to growing our economy and putting more money into people’s pockets - but to do so we need a transport network that is fit for purpose. Pivotal to achieving that is a modern, Mass Transit system interconnected with a West Yorkshire bus network under local control.
Have something to say about this? Well, you can. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is inviting people to take part in a publication consultation on the proposed first phase of this system, which aims to “connect St James’ Hospital with south Leeds, with another line running from Bradford city centre to Leeds city centre.”
Ilkley Pool and Lido
Its future may still be uncertain, but Ilkley Pool and Lido continues to dazzle regardless, with the beloved venue one of seven lidos in the UK named by The Times as being “the most refreshing”. It said:
“A grade II listed pool opened in 1935, this mushroom-shaped swimming spot is a fitting attraction for its Yorkshire spa town. The apple-green countryside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park provides the backdrop to your swim, and there are lawns to dry off on afterwards.”
The Ilkley Pool and Lido Community Group, which campaigns to secure the future of the lido, said earlier this month that it was pleased that Bradford Council had decided to delay a review of its sports and leisure services until later this year. It added:
“We hope that this, alongside the incredible enthusiasm and support from you, the community of Pool and Lido users, has influenced the timetable and kept the door open.”
Ilkley Library “at risk” of having opening hours chopped
Ilkley Library, along with nine other libraries managed by Bradford Council, may have its opening hours shortened as part of cost-cutting measures, according to a report.
Some of the measures being considered to save money include reducing the number of days libraries are open and opening them later in the morning, as well as no longer stocking print newspapers.
Further, the council is looking at ways of generating cash, including setting up donation boxes in its libraries, as it seeks to balance its books.
The Bradford district is home to 27 libraries, 10 of which are managed by the council (Bingley, City, Eccleshill, Ilkley, Keighley, Laisterdyke, Manningham, Shipley, Wibsey, and Wyke), 15 of which are community-managed, and two that operate on a hybrid model (between council staff and volunteers).
King’s Speech shows a renewed “commitment to further devolution”
The King’s Speech shows a “clear commitment towards growth in the regional economy”, the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has said.
It described the speech, which marked the start of a new parliamentary year, as demonstrating a commitment to further devolution and increased stability, which will, in turn, unlock investment. James Mason, chief executive of the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said:
“After a period of stagnation in levelling up, today’s King’s Speech has created a clear commitment towards growth in the regional economy.
“We welcome the commitment to further devolution to our mayors and combined authorities and believe that it will help to bring decision-making back to those who understand their area best.”
THE LEAD 📰
A promise to kickstart the devolution revolution
It was, if memory serves right, George Osborne, architect of austerity, who coined the phrase “devolution revolution” in a speech in 2015 that set out an ambitious plan to devolve powers from central government to local government. It was a significant moment because, in effect, it recognised the failure of Whitehall to level up the country and, moreover, that this wasn’t going to change unless something radically different was done.
Nine or so years later, that decision to shift power away from the centre has proved to be the right one, although, of course, it has not been without its shortcomings, which the new Labour government has recently acknowledged.
Keen to show they’re serious about cracking on with fixing a very broken country in what currently feels like an understated, more professional and less soap opera way – upholding the promise of “a government that will tread lightly” on our lives – the deputy PM and secretary of state for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, has written a letter to all local leaders and invited them to collaborate on “the most ambitious programme of devolution this country has ever seen”.
The detail, for now, is scarce, but Rayner has confirmed that Labour will be publishing what it described as a new devolution framework that will outline new powers that will be conferred to local government, underscored the benefits of combined authorities that are headed up by metro mayors – who will sit on a newly formed Council of Nations and Regions alongside leaders of the devolved administrations and the PM, Keir Starmer – and assured local leaders that all devolution settlements will be “ tailored to sensible economic geographies”. She said:
“We will devolve new powers over transport, skills, housing, planning and employment support. As we have set out to mayors, we want more regions to benefit from integrated settlements, with access to this important financial flexibility for mayoralties with capacity, strong accountability structures and exemplary track records of financial management.
“We will move away from a deal-based approach, setting out clear conditions and a clear offer in return for places seeking devolution agreement, and will enshrine a presumption towards devolution, so places can take on new powers automatically if they meet certain conditions.”
We’ve got a response to this announcement from the Yorkshire Party coming next week, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, here’s what its co-leader, Bob Buxton, has to say:
“The Yorkshire Party calls for a brave devolution – where local representatives cannot be overruled by Westminster, and where have control of serious budgets.”
WHAT’S ON 🎭
Without Boundaries – Redbrick Artists
Based in Dewsbury, the Redbrick Artists are a sort of collective, a group of diverse artists – think pure abstraction on one end of the spectrum to hyperrealism on the other end – who are committed to supporting one another, collaborating and exchanging ideas and approaches to art.
Ilkley Manor House is hosting the Redbrick Artists next month, exhibiting “an eclectic mix of work full of vibrant colour and texture as well as having stories to tell”.
Some of the artists include Ann Raby, whose recent work has been focused on fictional landscapes; Sumi Cannon, who says she “loves the immediacy and information of drawing as a ‘first take’”; and Guy Edmondson, who latterly has been interested in combining print and wood.
Without Boundaries – Redbrick Artists at Ilkley Manor House runs from 3–11 August
Bard in the Yard
Offering a little twist on the usual production of William Shakespeare’s timeless plays, Bard in the Yard whittles them all down into monologues, duologues and half-hour performances.
This year they’re performing 30-minute versions of Richard III (man wants to be king at all costs) and The Tempest (magician seeks revenge), with the former directed by Dick Hebbert and the latter by Andrew Leggott.
Bard in the Yard is in the Wildman Studio at Ilkley Playhouse on 24 August and Manor House Yard on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 August