Bradford people pull together and January sees our collective efforts pay off with the news that High Speed Rail for the City Centre is part of Transport for the North’s strategic vision for transport infrastructure. This results from concerted effort from all quarters and we need to keep making the case. The re-opening of the Skipton to Colne rail link would also improve connections with East Lancashire and Manchester. Major infrastructure projects like these new rail links will be essential for the District to realise its potential because although the latest indicators show growth this needs rapid acceleration if we are to punch our full weight in the economy. At a time when New Year’s resolutions are still something more than a distant memory we’re encouraging everyone who can to give time, money or resources to help make our District a better place. As financial support from the Government for Council services continues to reduce our communities are increasingly reliant on the commitment, ingenuity and resilience of local people to improve and sustain good outcomes for everyone. #GiveBradford’s message - “Together, Stronger”, must be our watchwords for success. 

High Speed Rail for Bradford is part of Transport for the North’s (TfN) vision for a Northern Powerhouse rail network. TfN has published a draft Strategic Transport Plan for the North setting out the case for investment in transport infrastructure over the next 30 years.  

The Plan is designed to improve regional, national and global connectivity and deliver a sea change in economic growth and productivity across the North generating 850,000 jobs. It includes proposals for new rail infrastructure that would slash journey times between Manchester and Leeds via Bradford city centre with the potential to add £1.3 billion to the District’s economy helping to connect our businesses and young emerging talent to markets and opportunity. It is critical to our ability to create jobs, attract investment and build an inclusive economy. The importance of high speed rail to the Bradford and wider regional economy is also recognised in the Leeds City Region HS2 Strategy which sets out the case for High Speed rail links to Leeds and beyond and the significant growth opportunities, including 41,00 new jobs, it will bring for the whole region. 

Northern Powerhouse Rail is subject to further development and TfN and the Department for Transport will complete a Strategic Outline Business Case by the end of 2018. 

TfN’s Strategic Transport Plan draft plan is subject to consultation until 17 April, which includes a dedicated event to be held in Leeds on 5 March.

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#GiveBradford offers businesses and individuals the chance to contribute towards community projects that help to improve the lives of local people. The campaign was launched last November and is managed by Leeds Community Foundation (LCF).  #GiveBradford is founded on the belief that everyone across Bradford District, whoever they are and where ever they live, deserves a chance to make the most of their life and have access to the same opportunities. 

• Life expectancy in Manningham is almost 10 years lower than in Ilkley.
• More than 41,000 local children live in poverty.
• Fuel poverty contributes to 340 deaths a year in the District.
• Income deprivation in Bradford District is the 5th highest in the country.

The 100 Club is a special membership scheme that has been set up for people and businesses who are motivated to make a difference. The annual membership fee of £1,000 contributes to finding lasting solutions to some of our challenges and provides access to special events and networks of like minded people. Other ways to give include “Named Funds” which are charitable funds managed by LCF and invested in line with the values of the donor. Alternatively, you can sponsor or host #GiveBradford events. 

LCF is part of a national network of Community Foundations with expertise in philanthropy and supporting donors to achieve the maximum impact from their investment. Since 2012, LCF has invested £3.8m in projects across Bradford District including £593,000 last year alone and is now seeking to increase that investment.

To find out more visit the #GiveBradford website or contact the foundation at:

#GiveBradford, C/O Leeds Community Foundation
First floor, 51a St Paul’s St, Leeds, LS1 2TE
Email: givebradford@leedscf.org.uk

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You might have spotted lampposts bearing posters for #BradfordCares, a new campaign to raise awareness and support for local organisations helping people who are sleeping rough and begging across the District. The initiative makes it straightforward and convenient to give money, items and time to local charities through the Street Support Bradford website, which also provides information about the services available in Bradford. The project is led by a network of charities and has been commissioned by the Safer Communities Partnership.

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Learning new skills, making new friends, improving health and getting a new hobby are some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. You can achieve all of these in one go and make a contribution to the community by joining the armies of volunteers who are helping to make a difference in Bradford District.

• Bradford is home to an estimated 1,500 community groups and 100,000 active citizens. 
• Research shows that volunteering delivers benefits to physical and mental health.
• Volunteering benefits businesses and organisations that operate employee volunteering schemes by generating a greater understanding of local communities, strengthening teamwork, enhancing skills and achieving greater visibility in the community. 

There are countless ways for you or your organisation to get involved. So if you haven’t made any resolutions or you’re already struggling to stick to the ones you have made why not try volunteering? 

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• The pioneering People Can campaign is supporting people to make a difference in their communities and help to tackle the District’s challenges by volunteering, finding resources, being neighbourly and taking community action to promote local well being. Since its launch in 2016 thousands of people have taken part in hundreds of community events and activities.
• Volunteer Centres in Bradford and Keighley work to promote volunteering and connect people to volunteering opportunities. You can find out more at Volunteering Bradford and Keighley Volunteer Centre.
• Make a difference by signing up to Bradford’s Education Covenant and committing to playing your part in giving all the District’s children a good school and a great start in life.

Two key developments have taken place since the Council’s Executive published its draft budget proposals for 2018-19 in December of last year. First, national negotiations led to Council employees across the country being offered a 2% pay increase.  This would mean the Council needing to find another £2.9m next year and £2.1m the year after on top of the measures announced in its draft proposals.

Second, the Government announced its Provisional Funding Settlement for Local Government. The settlement increased the level at which councils can raise general Council tax without having to hold a local referendum from 1.99% to 2.99% next year. This is in addition to the extra 3% councils can charge to help pay for social care. 

The Government intends to phase out its general financial support to the councils by 2020 leaving them increasingly reliant on Council tax and business rates to pay for local services.  

 Given additional funding pressures emerging from the pay offer, other adjustments to the draft proposals and the increasing reliance on Council tax to pay for local services, the Executive has indicated that it is inclined to propose the additional 1% Council tax increase in its final budget recommendations. The change would mean a total increase in Council tax for Bradford Council services of 5.99%.

 Council tax key facts

• The proportion of Bradford Council’s net income that is raised through Council tax in 2018-19 will be at least 51% by 2020/2021 – up from 34% in 2104-15 when Government grants were much higher. 
• Bradford’s is the lowest Council tax in West Yorkshire and 5th lowest in England.
• Each 1% increase in Bradford’s Council tax raises around £1.6m. 
• Bradford District has high proportions of lower band properties compared to other areas. 
• Bradford Council tax is £321 per head of population compared to an average of £347 per head across England. 
• As reliance on Council tax income increase, those areas that can raise more locally have more to spend on local services. If Bradford had the same Band D rate as Liverpool, Newcastle or Oldham it would raise £30m more a year for local services.

The Government is undertaking a Fair Funding Review of how the relative needs of local authorities are measured and funded. The Council is compiling a comprehensive case for Bradford’s needs to be properly recognised and resourced on a sustainable basis. 

You still have time to have your say on the Council’s financial plan and council tax proposals before the consultation closes on 28 January prior to consideration by the Council’s Executive on 6 February and the Council’s budget setting meeting on 22 February.

Data recently published by the Office for National Statistics shows that the District’s economy continues to grow – up to almost £10bn in 2016, a rise of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Outside of London and county councils Bradford is the 9th biggest city economy in England – a detailed briefing is available here. The news comes soon after Barclays Bank identified Bradford as the best place in the country to start a business based on Bradford’s business rate relief, road infrastructure, number of job vacancies, cost of commercial rent, and business survival rate. You can find out more about starting a business here at Invest in Bradford.

This is welcome news but we must go further, faster.

• Bradford’s rate of growth between 2015 and 2016 was lower than national and regional averages; 

• per head of population the value of goods and services produced here was £18,577 compared to a UK average of £26,621 and £21,803 across the Leeds City Region; 

• an economy commensurate with Bradford’s size would be worth £13bn.

This is why we need everyone to support the call for infrastructure investment including high speed rail for Bradford and to back a devolution deal that gives greater regional control over employment, skills and support for business.  A genuinely inclusive UK economy can only be achieved if Bradford plays its full part and realises its full potential.