Why it matters: biggest single-year rise in years for most households.
Sources: Council press release (3 Feb 2025) and bills page.
Bradford Council
+1
The draft Libraries Strategy (Mar–Jun 2025) sets out a ~£6m (68%) historic reduction and confirms £175k savings in 2025/26 by cutting hours (decision trail from 2024 Executive → 2025 updates).
Why it matters: fewer staffed hours/access across council-run libraries.
Sources: Draft Libraries Strategy PDF; Exec papers & media note.
Bradford Council
+2
Bradford Council
+2
From July 2025, Bradford begins phasing out its extra 25% income “buffer” used in non-residential care financial assessments (full removal by July 2026).
Why it matters: many service users will pay more towards their care.
Source: Council explainer page.
Bradford Council
2025/26 brown-bin service costs £62 (non-refundable), runs 1 Jun 2025–31 May 2026, with a four-week break over Christmas/New Year.
Why it matters: higher household costs; fewer/less frequent collections than many expect.
Sources: Council service pages.
Bradford Council
+2
Bradford Council
+2
Applies to Bradford city centre, Saltaire, Ilkley, Haworth (Blue Badge still free).
Why it matters: longer paid hours increase the cost of evening and weekend trips.
Source: Council parking update page.
Bradford Council
The 2025/26 Budget Reference Document shows new borrowing needs tied to the capitalisation direction (EFS).
Why it matters: rising debt service squeezes future budgets; pressure for further cuts/charges.
Source: Budget Reference Document (Sep 2025).
Bradford Council
Ofsted’s 31 Jul 2025 monitoring letter notes improvements for care leavers but follows years of “inadequate” judgments and ongoing oversight.
Why it matters: sustained weakness drives high costs and risk — a root cause of budget pressure.
Source: Ofsted monitoring letter (published 31 Jul 2025).
Ofsted
After the NEC pull-out (Sep 2024), the Council disclosed a £5.3m settlement (Jul 2025) and appointed Trafalgar Entertainment as operator (Mar–Jul 2025 updates).
Why it matters: reputational/financial risk during a cash crisis; opportunity cost questioned even as the venue finally opens.
Sources: Council press release; ITV; Guardian coverage.
Bradford Council
+2
ITVX
+2
Council Tax Reduction Hardship: one-off £30 support for new CTR claims (from Apr 2025) is cash-limited and ends when funding runs out. Thin safety net as bills rise.
Bradford Council
Further savings: the Council says it needs more cuts beyond 2025/26 after delivering £48.6m (2024/25) and £42.8m (2025/26) savings. More service changes likely.
Bradford Council
