Politicians have welcomed a cash injection of more than £700,000 into 15 of Bradford’s most badly deprived wards as part of a Government plan to engage communities.

The Neighbourhood Matched Fund has £30 million for the most deprived wards in the UK with half of Bradford Council’s 30 wards qualifying for cash.

Areas, including Bowling & Barkerend and Keighley Central, have been given funds to enable them to set up a Community First Panel, made up of members of the public and representatives from the public, private and voluntary sector, to decide on spending targets.

That panel will make a Community First Plan of how to improve their area, identifying groups and projects that could benefit from funding as long as their work helps their ward.

Every £1 provided in funding must be matched by a similar amount of in-kind donations, such as donations of cash, services, free products or volunteer time.

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