Baildon resident sought advice on buying island to host activities for local children

The ambitious idea was one of several community projects that recently sought support from Community Action Bradford and District.

However, the plan didn't progress beyond the early stages.

The island project was one of the more unusual enquiries dealt with by the group in the past year.

Community Action Bradford and District was formed in 2017 by the merger of different groups across the district, and its main aim is to support and develop the voluntary and community sector.

At a meeting of Bradford Council's Shipley Area Committee on Wednesday night, members were given an update on the work to support groups in the constituency.

They were given an annual report by Community Action, which helps groups grow, close down or alter the services it provides.

Across the district it has helped 270 groups in the past year. And in the Shipley constituency 38 groups or individuals were helped.

Members of the committee were given a list of projects that had been offered support. Councillor Debbie Davies (Cons, Baildon), seemed surprised that one of the requests for support was by an individual in her ward who wanted to buy an island.

Voluntary organisation support officer Sarah Moss replied: "This person had seen an island for sale and thought it was a good opportunity to have it as a place for young people from the area to go.

"We had a chat with them about it and issues like safeguarding and health and safety.

"It was by an enthusiastic member of the public. I love enthusiastic members of the public, they come up with all kinds of interesting ideas.

"This was just a one-off enquiry for more information. It was a very big project and it didn't go any further.

"We don't know if the island was sold to someone else or if this individual decided to take up a different project."

No details on the location of the island were given.

Other groups offered support over the year included Lower Coach Road residents in Baildon, who had asked for help setting up a resident's group, Crossflatts Village Society, which was offered help setting up a new group and St Peter's Church in Shipley, which had gone to the organisation for help setting up a new good neighbours group. They also helped a number of groups carry out community asset transfers.

The creation of the new Cullingworth Village Hall was also aided by the group, which helped the village apply for funding to help towards the £860,000 project.

At the meeting Councillor Simon Cooke (Cons, Bingley Rural) said: "Thank you for your help with getting money for Cullingworth Village Hall."

Miss Moss replied: "Projects like that take years of hard work, and I'm really happy that it has gone ahead.

"It is a really good new story for the constituency."