THE Rugby Football League is still paying business rates on Odsal Stadium, Bradford Council's leader has revealed.

Bradford Council owns the land at the former home of the Bradford Bulls, who announced this summer that they were moving to Dewsbury next season. but the RFL is the leaseholder for the actual stadium.

At a meeting of Bradford Council on Tuesday evening Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) asked what the financial impact of the Bulls leaving Bradford would be to the Council.

She asked Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe if the RFL are still paying business rates for Odsal Stadium.

Bradford Bulls to leave Odsal for Dewsbury

Cllr Hinchcliffe replied: "The RFL are leaseholders of the site and are liable for business rates - which are continuing to be paid."

Cllr Hinchcliffe spoke of the "deep sadness" that the Bulls had moved to Dewsbury for at least a season and added: "The Odsal site has a long and proud history, and is significant for the people of Bradford.

"We'd like to see it continue to make history here. The site is leased by the Bulls from the Rugby Football League and the responsibility for the site lies with the RFL.

"Several people have had good ideas about the site, but none have offered investment.

"We will continue to work with the RFL and the Club, and Judith Cummins, the Bradford South MP, with the ambition to bring the Bulls back to Bradford."