Bradford's future and economy to be discussed at event

There were more than 3,000 Sure Start centres across England before hundreds closed due to public spending cuts from 2010 onwards.

First introduced by Labour in 1998, Sure Start centres give help and advice on child and family health, parenting, money, training and employment.

Some centres also provide early learning and full day care for pre-school children.

The closures hit a number of families and children living in poverty across the district. 

These families were helped by Sure Start Children’s Centre, in Undercliffe Lane, more than a decade ago

As she marks the start of a new term, Mayor Tracy Brabin is due to speak at an event asking how to build a better life for people living in cities like Bradford.

An advertisement for the event, run by Resolution Foundation, says: “The city and surrounding area have built on their industrial heritage to become hubs for economic development, while the award of City of Culture reflects the city’s thriving creative industry. But the city also has high levels of deprivation, and won’t be truly thriving unless it finds ways to ensure that all its inhabitants benefit from growth and investment. 

“What should a new national economic strategy for Britain include? How will economic change affect the jobs we do, the places we live and the businesses we work for? And what are the prospects for cities like Bradford – and regions like West Yorkshire – in rising to these daunting but reachable challenges?”

Some of those questions will be answered by panellists such as former CEO of Bradford Council, Kersten England, who is now chair of Bradford Culture Company.

The Mayor is set to deliver a speech on her vision of a flourishing economy and region - from support for parents to retrain and go into work to reducing violent crime.

Ms Brabin hopes to work with councils to redesign public services including early years, adult skills, public transport, and employment support.

Ahead of the event in Bradford today, the Mayor said she is in discussions with both the Government and the Opposition about giving more powers and funding flexibility to the area.

Mayor Brabin pictured after she capped bus fares to £1 on some services (Image: Newsquest)

It would come in the form of a single settlement of funding, the Mayor said.

Ms Brabin said: “Devolution allows us to be creative in how we address local priorities. That is why I will use the new powers and funding flexibility we're negotiating to create a Sure Start renaissance across West Yorkshire.”

Other pledges include local control of buses and making ground on a tram system, creating a new skills and training system, more access to culture and sports for all children, 5,000 new affordable homes and a programme to insulate all social homes.

The Mayor said: “If we can get the basics right, we will create a prosperous West Yorkshire that works for all.”