ANNOUNCEMENTS on whether £25 million funding bids for Keighley and Shipley have been successful are “imminent” - according to a new report.

The Town Fund was announced by Government shortly before the 2019 General Election, and promised up to £25m funding for “left behind” areas of the UK.

Keighley and Shipley were both included in the list of eligible towns, and for much of the past year work has been ongoing to draw up schemes that the money should be spent on.

Towns Fund boards made up of local business figures, Councillors and MPs helped put together the bids.

What regeneration projects should Shipley spend £25 million funding on?

Bids were made to the Government in February, and included a water sports centre and enterprise hub in Shipley, as well as the reopening of the town's public toilets and the refurbishment of the iconic clock tower.

In Keighley there were plans for a health and wellbeing centre in Keighley as well as the redevelopment of Keighley Cougar's grounds and the creation of a cycleway from Oxenhope to Keighley.

At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Executive next Tuesday, members will be told the latest on the funding bids.

From health centres to cultural hubs - how should Keighley spend £25 million Towns Fund cash?

A report to the committee says: “Following submission of the Towns Fund bid in February 2021, we have been engaging with the Towns Fund national and regional team / network in advance of a final decision.

“This includes a ‘challenge session’ with Government officials during which they asked key questions around the Towns Fund proposals. At the time of writing this report, we are expecting an imminent decision.”