THE number of city centre events could be slashed under Bradford Council's latest cost-cutting plan.

Other cuts are expected to hit libraries, tourist offices, mental health services, flower planting programmes and even bowling greens.

And more than 550 Council jobs could be at risk, many of them management posts.

The ruling Labour group has unveiled its budget proposals for 2015/16, setting out dozens of cost-cutting measures as the authority battles a £40 million funding gap.

The plans will soon go out for public consultation, and the authority has pledged to respond to people's views before finalising the cuts next year.

Under the plans, the funding for city centre events would be slashed by £88,000 a year - about a quarter.

Council leader, Councillor David Green, said views tended to polarise about the funding of events in places like City Park.

He said some people loved them and wanted more, while others thought Council money should be spent elsewhere.

He said: "We know, just from the feedback we have had in the past year that it is very 'Marmite'.

"We will listen to what people say within the consultation period, with a view to either putting it in or taking it out."

The plans include a proposed £150,000 cut from the libraries budget, with more communities encouraged to take over their running.

Cllr Green said his group was looking at the idea because it "would be mad not to".

But he said it didn't yet have a set list of libraries which would be changing to community-run facilities.

The plans also include the axing of a contract which offers support for elderly people with mental health problems, saving £200,000.

Tourist information centres would be reviewed, as would housing support services for vulnerable groups.

The Council would end its Town Centre Management provision in Bingley and Shipley.

Bowling greens could be transferred to bowls clubs to save on running costs, while planting schemes in parks would be cut.

Doe Park activity centre in Denholme could be run not by the Council but by a trust instead.

Council staff and councillors would be expected to pay to park at work.

And fees for allotments and bulky waste collections would rise, while discounts under the Council's Passport to Leisure scheme would shrink.

The opposition Conservative Group has not yet unveiled its alternative budget plans.

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