The leader of Bradford Council has warned of a "funding timebomb" which is set to hit free care for the elderly.

Councillor Kris Hopkins was responding to a report by the Local Government Association (LGA) which warns that a growing demand for services is squeezing councils' budgets.

Up to 370,000 older people nationally face losing free low-level care within the next three years and the bill for disposing of waste is expected to hit £4.2 billion in ten years, according to the LGA.

Coun Hopkins (Con, Worth Valley) said: "The decision to publish the Local Government White Paper prior to the outcome of the Lyons Inquiry shows how much the Government is kidding itself in relation to the future financing of local services.

"In Bradford, we are determined to deliver the best quality services that we can with the limited resources that we have. But with greater responsibilities come greater costs and this is something that the Government seems unable to recognise.

"We are sitting on something of a funding timebomb at this moment and the Government must move to defuse it."

LGA chairman Lord Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said: "Government must be honest and decide if it is serious about meeting the demographic, social, environmental and economic costs of the future.

"If it is, investing in local services is crucial and local government is ready to play its part. If not, local councils and local taxpayers need to know, so they can prepare for the consequences.

"Demand for social care is rising by six per cent every year."

Bradford Council is in the middle of a shake-up of adult social care - which has been delayed until voluntary groups are properly geared up to bridge the gap.

It wants to raise the threshold for care as a cost-cutting measure meaning that an estimated 675 people of moderate needs would no longer be eligible for help.

Lord Bruce-Lockhart also highlighted the growing amount of waste councils are having to deal with - three per cent each year - and landfill tax which is rising by 15 per cent a year.

Bradford Council has been warned it could face annual fines of up to £13 million under Government plans to stop waste being dumped in landfill. However it is confident a five-year contract will allow it to beat the target, coupled with plans for a 25-year £400m contract.

Richard Wixey, strategic director for environment and neighbourhoods, said: "Despite the increasing pressure on our budget, the department is doing everything it can to keep costs down and to make savings where possible without having an impact on the high quality service we offer."

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk