SUSAN Hinchcliffe was asked on national television last night why she has not resigned as leader since Bradford Council lost full control of its children's services 

Bradford On Duty's "The Next Generation" episode highlighted January's announcement that a newly created trust - owned by the local authority but operated at arms-length by a new independent Chair and Board of Directors - would take over the reins.

The Bradford Council leader said: "I feel changing leadership at this time would destabilise the whole of the district and every service, that would not be helpful for children's services."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kersten England is also interviewed on the programmeKersten England is also interviewed on the programme

Bradford Council Chief Executive Kersten England also admitted in the show: "We have not done a good enough job for those children that need our support. This is not a place any council wants to be."

The BBC show pointed out that Bradford's child poverty rate is double the national average and that the Council has cut youth services by 73 per cent in the last decade.

Cllr Hinchcliffe addressed this by saying services have been forced to undergo cuts and savings.

She added that the Council are using reserves this year after having £300 million less than what they had 10 years ago.