Disabled users of a centre they calla a "lifeline" are campaigning to try and save it from closure. Bradford Council needs to make budget cuts of more than £9 million for 2011/12 from their Adult Services Department. Unfortunately one of the ways in which the Council propose doing this is closing a much needed centre in Manningham.
The centre has been providing service for 35 years and there is no alternative provision of its kind in Bradford. Instead the Council is foolishly proposing a "more personalised" service to the 98 registered users of the facility.
Worryingly no one on the Council seems to be opposing it's closure and are welcoming the personalised service as a better service. Users are concerned they will lose the "companionship" the centre offers them.
The coordinator of the Bradford physical disability forum Able All, said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic facility. I had Guillain-Barre syndrome 27 years ago and I wish I had somewhere like this to go to then.
“A lot of disabled people will say they feel secure at home but they also feel more isolated and that’s what a ‘more personalised’ service might mean.”
Monday, 30 May 2011
Bradford bids for Enterprise Zone
All the major parties in Bradford have given support behind a bid to make Bradford's city centre an Enterprise zone. A district with a designated Enterprise Zone will be able to offer companies within it business rate discounts, superfast broadband and fast-track planning.
More than 5,000 jobs could be created if the Bradford scheme is given approval by the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. It will not be plain sailing though, as there are rival bids by Leeds City Council, Wakefield Council and Selby District Council.
The Leeds City Region LEP Board, which includes Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood, will make a decision on June 15.
"Enterprise Zones
Enterprise Zones will have potential to create new businesses and jobs with wider economic benefits. Each zone will benefit from:
* tax breaks for businesses – including a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per eligible business over a five year period
* simplified planning rules
* the roll out of super-fast broadband
Areas to benefit
The focus of the first wave of enterprise zones is on cities and areas with untapped potential. The four confirmed enterprise zone sites are:
* Nottingham – the Boots campus
* Liverpool – Liverpool and Wirral Waters
* Manchester – Airport City
* London – Royal Docks
Seven local enterprise partnerships which will have an enterprise zone in their area were also named in the Budget. These partnerships are:
* Birmingham and Solihull
* Sheffield City Region
* Leeds City Region
* Western England
* the Black Country
* Tees Valley
* North Eastern"
(Information about Enterprise zones taken from the www.direct.gov.uk website)
More than 5,000 jobs could be created if the Bradford scheme is given approval by the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. It will not be plain sailing though, as there are rival bids by Leeds City Council, Wakefield Council and Selby District Council.
The Leeds City Region LEP Board, which includes Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood, will make a decision on June 15.
"Enterprise Zones
Enterprise Zones will have potential to create new businesses and jobs with wider economic benefits. Each zone will benefit from:
* tax breaks for businesses – including a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per eligible business over a five year period
* simplified planning rules
* the roll out of super-fast broadband
Areas to benefit
The focus of the first wave of enterprise zones is on cities and areas with untapped potential. The four confirmed enterprise zone sites are:
* Nottingham – the Boots campus
* Liverpool – Liverpool and Wirral Waters
* Manchester – Airport City
* London – Royal Docks
Seven local enterprise partnerships which will have an enterprise zone in their area were also named in the Budget. These partnerships are:
* Birmingham and Solihull
* Sheffield City Region
* Leeds City Region
* Western England
* the Black Country
* Tees Valley
* North Eastern"
(Information about Enterprise zones taken from the www.direct.gov.uk website)
City centre pub set to re-open
Up to 20 jobs will be created at a new venture by Bradford publican Martin Hubbard. He is investing £250,000 in refurbishing the Lord Clarke in Market Street, opposite Centenary Square, which closed in 2010, after the previous tenant failed to make a go of it. Mr Hubbard, who operates two other Bradford pubs and a bar, will re-open it as The Ginger Goose, focusing on real ale and carvery meals.
He said: “We hope to be up and running in about six weeks but there’s a lot of work to do. We’re re-naming it The Ginger Goose as the place is best remembered as The Goose – but that’s a registered brand name, so we can’t use it.
“We’re trying to do our bit for Bradford by bringing back to life a prominent venue.”
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Possible job boost for Bradford City Centre
Provident Financial are due to open a new call centre at their Thornton Road headquarters. The call centre for Provident's expanding Vanquis Bank credit card subsidiary is likely to open before the end of this year.
The news follows the announcement of proposals by the Italian Furniture Company to employ around 200 people at the former Shires Bathrooms site in Lidget Green, Bradford.
Provident chief executive Peter Crook said choosing Bradford for a second call centre was “a no brainer” as the city had an exceptional talent pool.
The news follows the announcement of proposals by the Italian Furniture Company to employ around 200 people at the former Shires Bathrooms site in Lidget Green, Bradford.
Provident chief executive Peter Crook said choosing Bradford for a second call centre was “a no brainer” as the city had an exceptional talent pool.
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