Improved council finances, more criticism of council leader, doctors strikes and more

New Reform UK-led executive hears of improvement in Bradford Council finances

Bradford Council’s Reform UK-led executive was told that the local authority had made significant progress in improving its finances during the previous financial year.

Steven Mair, the interim strategic director of corporate resources, told leader Stephen Place and his colleagues that Bradford Council had achieved an underspend of £16.7 million for 2025–26.

This included a £9.2 million underspend across council service departments and £7.5 million underspend within the general fund.

“The overall underspend of £16.7 million represents an improvement of £2.8 million compared to the £13.9 million underspend reported at quarter three,” the report put together by Mair and his team noted.

“The council’s 2025-26 budget included £44.8 million of budgeted savings, which were all either achieved or mitigated after the use of contingency.”

It was the first time that the new executive had met since the local elections last month saw Reform UK emerge as the largest party on the council, albeit without enough councillors to give them a majority.

The leadership team is made up Ian Eglin, cabinet member for corporate resources, Sally Birch, cabinet member for children and families, Ian Walker, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and communities, Jayne Morgan, cabinet member for healthy people and Andrew Judson, cabinet member for economy, regeneration and planning, who is also deputy leader of the council.

West Yorkshire's deputy mayor criticises Bradford Council’s leader over historic social media posts

West Yorkshire’s deputy mayor for policing and crime has described the previous, now-deleted, controversial social media posts of Bradford Council's new leader as “very unsavoury”.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Alison Lowe said that Reform UK’s Stephen Place’s posts were “definitely misogynistic, definitely Islamophobic” and racist.

While she called on Place to apologise for the offence caused, she said that she didn’t believe they met the threshold for a crime.

Lowe added that while debating the limits of free speech was welcome, she also agreed on the fundamental right for people to hold different views from hers.

“I am conscious that we've got a lot of very inexperienced politicians now here in West Yorkshire who may not understand the Nolan principles, may not have had the, you know, the training that I and many other long-standing politicians have had, so let's give them time to have that training, to have that awareness,” the deputy mayor said.

Place has so far refused to comment on the social media posts, except in one interview last month with ITV when he said that it is “a nonsense from 4 or 5 years ago”.

I had a big open Facebook page, people put things on there, I put things on there,” he went on to say. "Did I police it? No, probably not, that's the end of it as far as I'm concerned, this is about Bradford, my vision for Bradford.”

Kirklees Independents welcome their scrutiny powers

A number of independent councillors on Kirklees Council have been appointed to committee and panel positions following the conclusion of the reconvened annual council meeting, which was welcomed by the group they belong to.

Kirklees Independents said that a number of independent figures would now have the ability to scrutinise the leadership on behalf of residents – when it is elected that is as the council has so far been unable to decide on who will be in charge.

At the moment, Reform UK is the largest group on Kirklees Council following the local elections last month with 29 councillors. However, this is six short of the 35 needed to secure a majority.

They are followed by independents on 12, the Greens on 12, the Conservatives on nine and the Lib Dems on five. The first meeting went viral after Reform UK’s leader, Sarah Wood, said that she and her colleagues didn’t understand many of the procedures governing the council.

 "These appointments allow our members to play an active role in holding decision-makers to account and ensuring local communities have a strong voice within the council,” said Habiban Zaman, leader of Kirklees Independents.

"Our focus remains on residents and the issues that matter most to them. We will work constructively, ask the difficult questions where needed and ensure that local concerns are properly represented."

Industrial action coming to local hospitals

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Airedale NHS Foundation Trust have revealed the upcoming resident doctor strikes will have an impact on the normal running of the hospitals.

The strikes, which are scheduled to take place from 7am on Monday 15 June until 7am on Friday 19 June, will reduce the number of resident doctors in both hospitals and result in some elective care and outpatient appointments being postponed and rearranged.

“Our emergency department is very busy and will be under additional pressure during the upcoming industrial action,” said Kirsty Tempest, interim deputy chief operating officer at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

You can help us keep services available for those who need them the most by using NHS 111 online for non-urgent health advice. Please remember that 999 and A&E should only be used in emergencies that involve serious and life‑threatening illness or injury.”

The British Medical Association (BMA) said that the strikes were going ahead because the Labour government had “failed to deliver an improved offer on pay and jobs”.

“The government has the power to stop this strike action by coming to the table with an improved offer on both pay and jobs,” the BMA said last month. “There will be further action in July if no progress is made.”

Ilkley resident calls for more volunteers to make up for charity shop shortfall

An Ilkley resident who has raised money for Leeds Hospitals Charity’s fundraising appeal for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease after her husband died of the condition is urging locals to volunteer in a charity shop.

Lorraine Dowson, 74, has called on people in her community to help out at the Leeds Hospitals Charity shop in Ilkley, which is currently experiencing a shortage of volunteers.

Her husband, Warren, sadly passed away from MND in 2018. Since then, Lorraine and her daughter have been busy fundraising and raising awareness for the centre.

“Without the incredible volunteers who give up their time to help out in store, we wouldn’t have this wonderful addition to our high street,” she said.

Rachel Robinson, Head of Volunteering at Leeds Hospitals Charity, added: “We know that it is harder than ever for people to find time to volunteer, and that’s why we offer our volunteers flexible hours that work around their lifestyle Even if you are only able to spare a few hours each week, it will help us continue to keep our shop up and running.”

If you're interested, head here for more information. Alternatively you can contact the volunteer services team on 07360 689 167.

WYCA announces funding for active travel initiatives

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has announced that local organisations can apply for grants to help them set up walking, wheeling and cycling hubs and smaller initiatives that get more people active across the region.

Up to £50,000 will be available to communities looking to establish the active travel hubs and up to £5,000 will be available for communities looking to offer services like cycle training sessions.

Getting more people walking, cycling and wheeling in West Yorkshire is seen as critical by the WYCA because the region lags behind the national average in active travel.

“Getting active helps people lead healthier, happier lives whilst also saving money,” said mayor Tracy Brabin. 

“This funding will break down barriers to walking, wheeling and cycling, supporting more people to explore and enjoy everything our wonderful region has to offer.”

Active Travel England announced in December last year that local authorities across England had been earmarked £626 million in funding for active travel schemes.

“This £626million investment demonstrates our clear commitment to making walking, wheeling and cycling safer and more accessible for everyone,” Lilian Greenwood, the local transport minister, said at the time.

“By backing councils with the funding and support they need, we are helping to create healthier communities, safer streets and greener local transport choices.”

Major funding boost to get Leeds Industrial Museum’s locomotive shed reopened with a new gallery

Leeds Industrial Museum’s locomotive shed is set to reopen with a brand new railway gallery in the summer of 2027 thanks to a major funding boost.

The shed has been closed since 2015 when it was badly damaged by flooding after Storm Eva hammered the country, leaving destruction and flooding – the River Aire reached its highest ever level – in its wake.

Now, courtesy of a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund totalling £233,125, the public will once again be able to experience up close and in person a number of historic, Leeds-built locomotives.

“These historic engines are such an important part of the city’s story and each played their part in putting Leeds on the map as a centre of innovation and industry,” said Chris Sharp, the keeper at Leeds Industrial Museum.

“We’re so grateful to all the staff and volunteers who worked so hard in the aftermath of the floods to preserve the museum and the locos and to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support in making this exciting project a reality.”

Leeds Industrial Museum is also home to permanent exhibitions that document and explore the city’s tailoring and textile history. This includes looking at the impact that Burton had on jobs and style (it clothed “one in every five British men for work, war, and leisure” at its peak) and giving a sense of what working life was like with the display of "two enormous woollen spinning mules”.

New creative hub opens in Pudsey

A new creative hub that delivers community workshops and eco-friendly crafting has opened up in Pudsey.

The brainchild of Local artist and designer Helen Broadhead, Sunnyjolly Designs aims to “inspire creativity in people of all ages”.

Originally an online Etsy shop, the hub is also home to an art shop stocked with watercolour paintings, hand-painted gifts, ceramics, mugs and lifestyle accessories.

“The hub offers specialised after-school sessions, home education activities and holiday art programs where both children and adults can explore watercolours, acrylics, pottery, felting and mixed media,” Sunnyjolly Designs explained.

“At a time when community spaces are more important than ever, Sunnyjolly Designs is paving the way with a deeply rooted eco-friendly philosophy.”

The studio also offers a free craft-swap station where locals can donate craft supplies and pick up whatever they need, helping reduce “waste and financial barriers to crafting”.

For more information, check out the Sunnyjolly Designs’ website here.