PLANS are in place to deal with any eventuality surrounding the rapidly-approaching Brexit deadline, Bradford Council has said.

The authority says it has announced its Brexit co-ordinator is Joanne Hyde, Strategic Director Corporate Resources.

Ms Hyde was formerly corporate director, transformation and resources, at Trafford Council and started her new role at Bradford Council in August last year.

The Council said funding has come from a government grant of more than £100,000 to cover preparations for any contingency plans.

Despite the uncertainly of whether there will be an imminent election, if a draft law voted for in the Commons, is finalised in the House of Lords to take a no-deal Brexit off the table, or if the government is forced to ask for a delay and extend the current October 31 deadline if a deal has not been struck, the Council says it is working on its preparations to leave the European Union.

The Authority was responding to concerns from semi-retired Shipley consultant Roman Haluszczak. He said the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, had requested local authorities appoint a lead officer but 'dozens' of councils had missed the deadline.

He said he wanted clarification from Bradford Council that plans for Brexit were in place.

Mr Haluszczak, who works in consultancy for not-for-profit organisations and charities added: "People really need to know what plans are in place.

"I understand the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, put a £20 million fund to one side for the authorities in the UK to use. Has Bradford Council applied for its share?

"Someone needs to speak out and tell us what is expected to happen after Brexit," he said.

Responding to Mr Haluszczak's concerns, a spokesman for Bradford Council said a leading officer was in place to deal with the issues of Brexit in the district.

The spokesman said: “Bradford Council’s Brexit co-ordinator is Joanne Hyde, Strategic Director Corporate Resources.

“Since the result of the referendum was announced, Bradford Council has instructed a number of officers to work on our preparations for the effects of leaving the European Union, with or without a deal.

“A grant of £104,000 received from the Government for Brexit preparations has been used to put in place contingency plans, including support for the EU citizen settlement scheme, to try to ensure the residents of Bradford are not adversely affected by any changes to our membership of the EU.”

Bradford Council has a page on its website: 'Brexit - what you need to know', offering general information, advice for businesses, schools and colleges, travelling to the EU, guidance from the NHS about medicines and guidance for social care providers.