Bradford Council should reflect the diversity of the community it serves

On Thursday 7 May, 90 seats in 30 Bradford Council wards are up for election in contrast to the usual rolling pattern, in which one new councillor is elected in each of three years in a four-year cycle.

Local elections operate on a first-past-the-post basis, so approximately 35% of the local electorate chooses the candidate who represents them in Bradford. Repeated in each of the 30 wards, we end up with a council in Bradford that represents neither the diversity of opinion within Ilkley and Addingham nor the city as a whole.

This results in unhealthy polarisation and party-politicisation between the Bradford administration and our local representatives. With no Labour representation in Ilkley or Addingham, the Labour Party has little to gain electorally from being more proactive in responding to local needs.

At the same time, particularly in Ilkley, there has developed a near-reflexive tendency to oppose any proposal emanating from City Hall, whether sensible or not, decrying everything relating to the current administration as a failure.

This seems unfair and not in the best interests of Ilkley and Addingham, where approximately 65% of the electorate might feel that their views are not being taken properly into account.

We are not going to fix our broken electoral system at this election – or any time soon – and a recent boundary rearrangement joining Addingham to Ilkley adds to the uncertain mix.

However, this election could allow the electors of Ilkley and Addingham to cast their votes to break the mould of previous single-candidate elections and reflect the palette of diverse opinion across the ward. No single political party is likely to offer everything you want, so why not take this into account and distribute your votes more widely?

I’m standing as a Liberal Democrat. As a party, we have a strong record of getting things done in local government. We are progressive, have consistent policies that put the environment first (for example on water regulation) and we understand the importance of individual freedom with social responsibility.

I’ve lived in Ilkley for 22 years and brought up my family here, working in Keighley, a very different part of the Bradford district. As a veterinary pathologist, I find evidence-based solutions to complex problems, working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

As a former town councillor in Ilkley, including four years as chair (mayor), I understand how local government functions – for better or worse – in this ward and the importance of local businesses, health services and the voluntary and community sector for our wellbeing. 

Here are my local priorities for the next council.

Social responsibility

Although many in Ilkley and Addingham are financially secure, others are not, with a foodbank, substantial numbers of school pupils receiving the pupil premium and families needing additional help.

The council executive and officers must be held accountable for the decisions they take on social and children’s care across Bradford and locally. We need to enhance support services close to home, without the need to travel. 

Young people

We must promote the visible involvement of young people in the community, generating opportunities for creativity, self-expression, entertainment and mental wellbeing.

Environment

Policy changes are needed to protect our natural landscapes, balancing recreational uses such as mountain biking with protection and enhancement of biodiversity and carbon storage.

Residents need on-street charging solutions for electric vehicles and assistance with carbon-reducing home improvements such as solar panel and heat pump installation. We should push Bradford to install solar panels on roofs across the council estate and move swiftly to phase out fossil fuel use across their estate and vehicle fleet. 

Local economy

We need to support our local economy, backing the Business Improvement District (BID), revitalising the visitor information centre and modernising Ilkley station as a welcoming transport hub for visitors. We should expect transparency on the use of parking charge revenues and visible reinvestment to improve roads and pavements. 

Bradford assets

We need more discernment in the use and disposal of Bradford Council assets. The Golden Butts site in Ilkley clearly had greater value to the community as a recycling centre than as a quick cash injection and we should question failed real estate investments such as Bradford’s loss-making involvement with the Moors Centre. 

Ilkley Town Hall has also been persistently underused. It’s time to re-imagine its use to benefit the whole community. 

Planning

Planning decisions should favour affordable housing for younger families and ensure community infrastructure levy funds from new developments in Ilkley and Addingham fund key local services here, such as GP surgeries, schools and recreation areas.

In conclusion, Bradford Council should reflect the diversity of the community it serves. It should think imaginatively and respond positively to constructive challenge. In the current political environment, it is difficult to predict the outcome after 7 May, but each voter has three votes to move towards a better government in Bradford. Perhaps one of those votes might be for a Liberal Democrat and a fresh voice?