Bradford Liberal Democrats' budget reflects the demands of residents
Bradford Liberal Democrats' budget reflects the demands of residents
At this year’s Bradford Council budget meeting, Liberal Democrats put forward a clear alternative: a budget shaped by the priorities residents raise with us week after week. Our amendment focused on stronger neighbourhoods, better support for young people, fairer parking, and a council that listens when local communities speak up.
Lib Dem Group Leader Brendan Stubbs said when opening the Liberal Democrat case:
“The Liberal Democrat amendment is about the people’s priorities, not Labour’s too little too late approach.”
That was the real choice before the Council. Labour chose to vote our proposals down. But Bradford residents deserve to know there was a better alternative.
A budget built around local priorities
For us, a council budget should never be just about balancing figures on a spreadsheet. It should be about improving day-to-day life for the people who live here. It should mean cleaner, safer neighbourhoods. It should mean stronger support for young people. It should mean backing local shopping areas and taking residents’ concerns seriously. As Brendan Stubbs put it:
“Because this budget is not just about spreadsheets. It is about whether this Council is actually listening and responding.”
That is exactly what our amendment was about: listening to residents and acting on the issues that matter most in communities across Bradford district.
Investing in young people and community spaces
A key part of our amendment was a £1 million youth facilities fund to help improve and modernise community and voluntary sector buildings used by young people across the district. That reflects a simple Liberal Democrat belief: if we want stronger communities in the future, we need to invest in young people now.
Across Bradford, many of the places young people rely on are church halls, community centres, local clubs and voluntary organisations. These are often the spaces where young people find support, activity and connection, thanks to the hard work of local volunteers and community groups.
Cllr Brendan Stubbs made that case clearly:
“That is why our £1 million youth facilities fund matters. It will help voluntary and community organisations improve and modernise the places young people actually use: safer buildings, better facilities, lower running costs, and spaces fit for the future.”
Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem Lead for Children and Education) also spoke powerfully about the pressures facing Bradford’s children and schools. She welcomed support for education, while making clear that schools cannot and should not be expected to carry every burden alone. She told the chamber:
“Behind every line of this budget are thousands of Bradford children whose opportunities depend on the decisions we make tonight.”
She was right. Support outside school matters too. Youth services, community provision and safe local spaces all have a part to play in giving young people the best possible start.
Stronger neighbourhoods and action on local concerns
Our amendment also called for stronger enforcement and visible action on the issues that residents tell us are making life harder in their communities. People are frustrated when they see fly-tipping left behind, bad parking going unchecked, antisocial behaviour ignored, and neighbourhood spaces getting worse instead of better. They want to know that if rules exist, they will be enforced.
Brendan Stubbs put it plainly:
“There is a risk in letting neighbourhoods decline. There is a risk in letting standards slip.”
That frustration is real, and it cannot be answered by asking people to be patient yet again. Residents want a council that notices problems, listens when concerns are raised, and is prepared to act. That is what Bradford Liberal Democrats were arguing for.
Fairer parking that supports local centres
Parking was another major part of our amendment, because badly designed parking charges are causing real problems for residents, businesses and local shopping areas.
Alun Griffiths (Lib Dem Health and Communities spokesperson) spoke with real clarity about the impact this has had in places like Idle and Thackley, where local people and traders have been raising concerns for a long time. He told the Council:
“I was elected to speak out on behalf of the residents and businesses of Idle and Thackley, for whom this is a crucially important issue, and I will do so as long as it is needed.”
He also challenged the rigid, one-size-fits-all approach Labour has taken:
“All we are asking is that some of that windfall is used to the benefit of our residents. We have said all along that a rigid one-size-fits-all policy is inappropriate, and we now have an opportunity to make a sensible amendment to it.”
This is about common sense. In some areas, these charges are not helping. They are pushing cars onto surrounding streets, creating a nuisance for residents, and making life harder for small businesses that are the lifeblood of local centres.
We believe local businesses should be supported, not punished, and that council policy should reflect the reality of how our neighbourhood centres actually work.
Labour rejected it — but Bradford deserves better
Labour may have had the votes to reject our amendment this time, but residents deserve to know there was an alternative. Bradford Liberal Democrats put forward a budget amendment focused on stronger neighbourhoods, better youth provision, fairer parking, and a council prepared to listen to what local people are actually saying. Those are the priorities we took into the budget meeting, and they are the priorities we will keep fighting for.
On 7 May, residents can choose a different direction. The local elections on 7 May 2026 are an opportunity for residents to have their say.
If you want councillors who will listen to local communities, stand up for neighbourhoods, support young people and fight for practical local solutions, then vote Liberal Democrat.
Bradford deserves better — and on 7 May, you can vote for it.