Councillor’s fears over City of Culture legacy after funding cut
A councillor has voiced concerns that Bradford's City of Culture legacy may be impacted - after Bradford Council withdrew cultural funding in order to reopen a recycling centre.
Sugden End Recycling Centre, near Keighley, was closed by the then Labour-run council in 2024 as part of cost-cutting measures.
Last month, the council – now led by Reform – agreed to reopen the facility.
This will be funded by “de-prioritising” £400,000 which had been planned for cultural events such as markets, festivals and concerts across the district.
Reform said the decision would “benefit more residents than than cultural subsidies”.
But Labour councillor Susan Fricker, who represents Bingley East on Bradford Council, said that while she welcomed the reopening of the recycling centre, she was concerned about the loss of the cultural funding – as Bradford seeks to create a lasting legacy after City of Culture 2025.
“There was an explosion of creativity across our district last year,” Coun Fricker said.
“We have some incredible creative talent across our district, which was celebrated so fantastically in 2025, and I want those creative people to be able to continue the wonderful work they do in our communities.
“The sudden decision by the Reform-led executive to withdraw the £400,000 and divert it, without any consultation, without seeking the views of the council as a whole, caused me real concern.
“By withdrawing that funding, it is going to affect a lot of the creative talent across the district.”
Other opposition councillors said they feared withdrawing cash for cultural events could mean losing crowds to neighbouring cities and impact the high street.
However, Reform councillor Ian Walker, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and communities, defended the decision.
He added: “The business case for the £400,000 hasn’t even been signed off, so the money certainly hasn’t been allocated to any groups.
“Sugden End tip is due to reopen before Christmas.
“About 90,000 households that are within that local area will be able to access that tip, so it’ll be very beneficial.
“It will reduce demand seen at Keighley and Dowley Gap tips.”
He added: “Our job as a council is to work for the benefit of people in Bradford in the best way.
“I get dozens of questions every week about waste collections. I get none about cultural events. Based on that, the evidence is there.”