Budget worth more than £1bn agreed for West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire leaders have approved a budget of over £1bn, which they say will boost growth through creating “a better-connected, better-skilled and better-built region.”
As the region prepares to take control of its first-ever “integrated settlement” from April, the leaders of Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield councils met West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin to sign-off on over £1.2bn worth of spending.
Brabin said the budget would give the region greater flexibility than ever before, with power and money put directly into the hands of local leaders.
She added: “This historic budget is all about three things – delivery, delivery, and delivery.
“By investing in the high‑quality homes people want, the skills and employment support people need, and the quick and reliable transport links people deserve, we will transform the economy and society of West Yorkshire for generations to come.
“For our communities, this will mean better buses, the next steps towards mass transit, warmer and more affordable homes, and faster and simpler routes into good jobs.
“This is how we’ll boost business growth and put more money in people’s pockets.”
The budget focuses on delivering economic growth and prosperity through:
Building a better-connected West Yorkshire, with investment in transport services and stations alongside new funding to smooth the path to bus franchising and mass transit.
Creating “a region of learning and creativity”, so every working-age resident can get the skills and the employment support they need.
Investing in new and better housing so more families can have a secure, affordable and energy-efficient roof over their head.
Discussing the proposed revenue budget of £487m, alongside a programme of capital investment worth £767m, leaders said they agreed on the need to deliver immediate benefits for communities and businesses, while laying the groundwork for changes to the region’s housing and infrastructure.
The transport revenue budget of £251m over the next financial year will fund concessionary travel, tendered bus services and the Mayor’s Fares scheme to keep fares low, alongside the transition to bus franchising and the operation of stations and interchanges.
Over £86m has been allocated to training and employment support, including £75m for adult skills programmes – such as free courses for jobs, skills bootcamps and targeted industry placements.
Also, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Combined Authority says it will bring forward a pipeline of affordable homes in town and city centres.
Revenue funding of almost £3m will help deliver these new housing projects, while capital plans include a £26m injection from the National Housing Delivery Fund to increase housing supply, and a £29m investment from the Brownfield Housing Fund to unlock difficult sites.
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