BRADFORD Council's threat to axe town centre managers in Shipley and Bingley was last night branded as another blow for the Aire Valley.

As part of a raft of further cuts to balance its books, the Labour-run Council is proposing to end the roles filled by Bob Parker in Bingley and Yvonne Crossley in Shipley.

Conservative group deputy leader and Bingley Rural councillor Simon Cooke said while savings had to be made, Aire Valley residents were being unfairly targeted as evidenced by the planned closure of Bingley swimming pool.

"These communities deserve support and instead of choosing to recognise that, Bradford Council is kicking them in the knee again," he said.

"Things are starting to come on in Bingley, but that's very much in spite of Bradford Council."

Bingley Chamber of Trade deputy chairman Howard Martin said it would be a blow to lose Mr Parker at a time when the town was picking itself up.

"I think the future is looking good with Sainsbury's and Aldi to open soon, but we were quite expecting this.

"It would be disappointing to lose Bob, who has done a good job and importantly is our go-between with Bradford Council.

"I can't believe the Council will just leave us high and dry, but we have lots of things which need planning for next year already, so now everything's a bit up in the air."

Shipley Councillor and Green group leader Martin Love said: "Bradford gets support from our business rates and taxes and people deserve something in return.

"We're losing the toilets in Shipley and now this - it's becoming a desperate situation.

"Constantly snipping at the outlying towns and villages will end up being counter-productive when what we need is investment."

Shipley traders' leader Barry Cooper praised town centre manager Yvonne Crossley for her dedication and hard work.

"There's been a massive improvement and she's been at the heart of some fantastic events such as the TdF Allez Shipley event, the Pirate Festival and Shipley in Bloom," he said.

"It would be a shame to lose such dedicated and specialised support.

Shipley Conservative MP Philip Davies, whose constituency also includes Bingley, accused the Council of again showing its contempt for the towns.

"The Council downgrades them both at every possible opportunity in order to protect resources in Bradford city centre," he said.

"That seems to be the only shopping centre the Council seems to care about."

In response to the criticism, Bradford Council leader David Green stressed that the draft budget proposal was up for debate and that the voices of the Aire Valley would be listened to.

"This is a proposal which will go out to consultation and we have shown over the years that we listen to people and to alternative proposals," Cllr Green said.

"It's not something we to want to do, but having had to take £170 million out of our budget in the last four years and another £35 million this year we are having to look in places we don't want to go.

"We are squeezed and going to have to take a number of decisions while we protect vital services such as adult care and child protection.

"We will listen to people in the districts and I look forward to politicians coming forward with serious suggestions."

Cllr Green added that if Mr Davies was worried about the deterioration of local services he should speak to his own Government ministers to increase Council budgets.

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