Live on stage at the Alhambra: Bradford Council!

Rather than the Council chamber, today's full Council meeting is being held at the Alhambra theatre, with Councillors and members of the press spread out amongst the famous theatre for the meeting.

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said the meeting was a historic moment, and other Councillors shared photos from inside the venue.

While important in its own right, the meeting will likely go down as one of the least thrilling events to be held on the Alhambra's famous stage.

Bradford Council said: "Our annual Council meeting is set to take place shortly in the Alhambra Theatre with great support from Bradford Theatres.

"Today will also see the new Lord Mayor and deputy installed."

After a prolonged two year stint as Lord Mayor of Bradford due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Councillor Doreen Lee is passing the baton of mayorship onto Cllr Shabir Hussain, who has been her deputy for the past two years.

Cllr Hussain will be replaced as deputy by Cllr Bev Mullaney.

Bradford Council chief executive Kersten England shared a photo of the mayoral duo "waiting in the wings" at the side of the stage.

Cllr Shabir Hussain, left, and Cllr Doreen Lee, in red, wait to go onstage. Pic: Kersten England

Cllr Ross Shaw said: "Council AGM with a difference today!

"Nice moment in history of the Alhambra."

Newly elected Labour Councillor for Bolton & Undercliffe Si Cunningham, attending his first meeting, added: "A surreal but special setting for the first meeting of the 2021/22 Council – the world-famous Alhambra theatre! (The city hall council chamber is too small for all 90 members + social distancing)."

T&A reporter Chris Young's view of today's meeting from the "cheap seats"

The Telegraph & Argus' local democracy reporter Chris Young is in attendance at the meeting, and joked he had been given the "cheap seats" as he watched on from up in the gods.