Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore says leaders at Bradford Council now need to be held accountable for what he calls their 'dire mismanagement' of the district - after the government took action to ensure the authority didn't go bankrupt.
On Thursday it was announced that Bradford Council will be allowed to borrow millions of pounds to plug the gap in the cost of running services. Ministers also gave the go-ahead for cash from the sale of buildings and assets to be used to to ensure the authority stays afloat.
The council has warned that it will still need to raise council tax and make cuts to service and increase charges for things such as parking permits.
Responding to the news, Robbie Moore MP said: "Late last night (Wednesday) and over the past few months, I have held urgent meetings with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP, to discuss Bradford Council’s dire financial situation.
"I made it clear to the Secretary of State that, reflective of public sentiment, residents across Keighley, Ilkley, Silsden, the Worth Valley and our wider area should not be forced to pay the price for the disastrous financial decisions taken by the Council’s Labour leadership under Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe following the children’s services scandal.
"Today, the government have granted Bradford Council exceptional financial support, avoiding technical bankruptcy which would have crippled the District.
"But make no mistake. Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe and Bradford’s Labour leadership now need to be held accountable for their dire mismanagement of our District - and their continued disastrous budget proposals that unfairly target our area.
"As Keighley and Ilkley's MP, I will always stand up for our community first. I suggest that other local leaders, including Labour’s Parliamentary candidate John Grogan follow suit, stop acting as a mouthpiece for the Council, stand up for our services and join me in the fight to Leave Bradford Council in the coming weeks and months."