Council making 'good progress' on finances

An independent review of Bradford Council's finances has said the authority has made "good progress" – but financial pressure is "likely to be in play for a number of years".

Last year the government agreed "exceptional financial support" for the council, meaning the authority can borrow money to fund its services.

It came at a time when the council faced bankruptcy due to its huge budget deficit.

As part of this process, the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) carried out a review of the council's finances, and issued a "best value notice".

This notice meant there were concerns with how the authority was operating and required Bradford Council to act "to assure the government that the authority is making arrangements to secure continuous improvement".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that this notice has been lifted following the latest inspection by CIPFA.

The report said: "The council has made good progress towards the key recommendations and the addressing of key risks since the 2023 review."

It highlighted the appointment of Dr Lorraine O'Donnell as chief executive as helping to reset the "fractured relationship" with the Bradford Children's and Families Trust, which was set up after Bradford Council was stripped of control of its children's services in the wake of the murder of Star Hobson and consecutive inadequate Ofsted ratings.

"It is without doubt that the underlying characteristics of the council have changed in the last 12 months," the report read.

"The new CEO (and interim S151 Officer) have brought focus, rigour, pace, attention to detail and a formalised set of programmatics that have set the organisation on a different course.

"There is a laser focus on addressing the underlying aspects of financial fragility in Bradford."

The report said that Bradford, which is one of the largest metropolitan districts in England, needed to downsize to best serve the area.

However it commended the council for changing its culture since its last CIPFA review in 2023 - as well as becoming the UK City of Culture 2025 and securing the investment that came with that.

Despite "a good awareness of the drivers and financial challenges, these factors are likely to be in play for a number of years", the report continued.

It followed the council voting to raise council tax by 9.9% as it faces rising costs and debts which are expected to reach £1bn by 2030.

It has also approved cuts worth £42m in the next financial year.

Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: "We're still in a very challenging financial position following 14 years of central government funding cuts coupled with the growing cost of children's and adult social care."

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