Bradford Council’s Conservative Group is calling for action on the former Odeon building in the City Centre:

 “With the apparent collapse of the joint venture developer, Langtree Artisan and the demise of Yorkshire Forward, now is the time to re-open the options and ideas for the former Odeon,” said Simon Cooke, Group Deputy Leader & Spokesman on Regeneration,

“The proposals – involving city living apartments and a hotel – simply aren’t deliverable in the current economic climate and the site is too small to justify some form of phasing. We really have to put it back to the market or look for a council-led solution.”

The Conservatives are calling for the redevelopment to be considered as part of the Council’s estate and service strategy:

“Right now the Council needs to look at a new Central Library, new offices for the West Yorkshire Pension Fund and other accommodation. The new City Park makes the location more appealing and there seems to be some new developer interest.”

“We can’t afford to shuttle from meetings with Langtree – the last remaining bit of the developer joint venture – to the Homes & Communities Agency trying to get an undeliverable development out of the ground.”

The Conservative Group is writing to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government and Grant Shapps, Housing Minister, urging them to intervene to allow a new scheme – perhaps retaining the twin towers – to be brought forward.

“We are disappointed that the Council’s Labour leadership seem unable to see beyond repeating ‘we don’t own the building’ in the hope that the public will decide to blame someone else for the lack of action.”

The Odeon is owned by the Homes & Communities Agency which took over the assets of the now closed regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward.

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Jackie was joined today on the campaign trail by Nick Gibb, Minister for Schools. They visited Keelham Primary School to meet teachers and pupils.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:

“Meeting the teachers and children at Keelham Primary School was a real pleasure – it is a great example of how a good primary school can make all the difference to young children.

“Our candidate Jackie used to work as a career’s advisor, helping young people find work – that’s why she’s so passionate about making sure our children get the skills they need to succeed in life.

“We have a brilliant candidate in Jackie Whiteley. She’s a strong local voice for Bradford, and as a local businesswoman she knows exactly what Bradford needs to get the economy moving to build jobs and growth.”

Jackie Whiteley added:

“The Government is making radical changes to our school system to improve the quality of teaching, restore discipline and to raise standards.

“It is great to see that we now have three free schools in Bradford West, and a further four schools applying to become academies.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has today hit the campaign trail in the Bradford West by-election.

Mr Cameron joined Conservative Party candidate Jackie Whiteley for a visit to Bradford’s King’s Science Academy. The pair met with teachers and pupils at the school.

Commenting afterwards, David Cameron said:

“It’s time for a change in Bradford. This Government is investing in the future of Bradford – £17 million for the city centre regeneration, yesterday, the announcement of the Northern rail hub updating and improving the line between Manchester and Bradford, and of course making sure Bradford has superfast broadband speeds.

“So real investment for real jobs and in Jackie Whiteley we’ve got a first-class candidate.”

Jackie Whiteley added:

“It was great to have the Prime Minister on the campaign trail here in Bradford today.

“The Kings Science Academy is over subscribed this year, and I am not surprised. This free school offers pupils a unique learning experience under the excellent leadership of inspirational head, Sajid Hussain. It was great to meet so many school children with such pride in their school and aspirations for the future.”

These include:

• Increasing the Personal Allowance to £9,205 – which will lift a total of 179,000 people in Yorkshire & Humber out of income tax altogether and save the average earner in Bradford £220 next April.
• Local Enterprise Partnerships in Yorkshire & Humber will receive a further £23.7 million from the Growing Places Fund.
• Government will support Network Rail to invest a further £130 million in the Northern Hub rail scheme – which will mean doubling capacity on the Hope Valley line between Manchester and Sheffield and improving the Manchester to Bradford line.
• Bradford and Leeds will become a ‘super-connected city’- receiving £14.6 million to deliver ultra-fast broadband to up to 89,000 residents and 16,000 businesses, and high-speed wireless connectivity to up to 214,000 residents.
• Get Britain Building – £70 million will be invested in Yorkshire & Humber delivering nearly 2,000 homes and supporting 4,000 jobs in construction and related sectors.

Conservative Party Candidate Jackie Whiteley said:

“The Chancellor has presented a radical, reforming Budget that will reward work and unashamedly backs business.

“This Budget will see Bradford transformed into a ‘super-connected city’ with ultra-fast broadband and improved transport links with Manchester. The people of Bradford will also receive the largest ever increase in their personal tax allowance, with the basic rate taxpayer set to gain £220 next April.

“What George Osborne has announced today will help the hard working families of Bradford and open up our great city to new business and investment.”

Under Labour council tax in Bradford nearly doubled, with residents seeing their bills shoot up by over £500.

This year Bradford City Council have done the responsible thing and taken up the Conservative Council tax freeze for 2012-13, despite Labour leader Ed Miliband dismissing the policy.

Commenting Conservative Candidate Jackie Whiteley, said:

“After council tax nearly doubled under Labour residents in Bradford will be pleased that Conservatives have taken action to freeze their council tax for a second year running.

“It is great that Labour controlled Bradford City Council have taken up this Conservative policy in the face of opposition from the Labour leader.

“It means that over the last two years Bradford residents in a band D home have saved up to £132 on council tax bills, helping that hardworking families and pensioners.”

Commentating, Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said:

“Under Labour, council tax doubled and bills would have gone through the roof further had Labour clung to power. Labour oppose the council tax freeze and would have given a green light to yet more council tax hikes. By contrast, this Government has frozen council tax, scrapped Labour’s council tax revaluation and has given residents new rights to veto excessive council tax rises in the future.”

The National Loan Guarantee Scheme will provide up to £20 billion of government guarantees on unsecured borrowing by banks, enabling them to borrow at a cheaper rate. Around £5 billion in guarantees will be made available in the first tranche.

Conservative Party Candidate, Jackie Whiteley, said:

“Today’s announcement by George Osborne will be a real boost to small businesses in Bradford. Thanks to the Coalition Government’s deficit reduction plan the UK has gained economic credibility which has secured low interest rates. This scheme will allow the benefits of these low interest rates to be passed onto small businesses.

“This is more positive news for Bradford following the research out yesterday showing that the number of start-up businesses in the area has increased by 21.8%.

“As a member of the Bradford business community and entrepreneur with my own business I know what a difference this scheme will make in helping small businesses in the area gain access to cheaper finance. I encourage small businesses in Bradford to take advantage of this government scheme and apply for finance to help them grow and expand.”

Chancellor, George Osborne, said:

“The Government promised to help small businesses get access to lower interest rates. Today, we deliver on that promise with a nationwide scheme. It’s only because we’ve earned credibility with our deficit reduction plan that we have low interest rates, and it’s only because of this scheme that we can pass the benefits of those low rates onto businesses.”

Conservative Party Co-Chairman Sayeeda Warsi visited Bradford West today where she joined Jackie Whiteley for a visit to the Jamiatul Imaam Muhammad Zakaria School.

They were given a tour of the college and took part in a question & answer session with students. Sayeeda gave an inspirational talk to students saying “if you are prepared to put in the hard work and you are committed, then every opportunity is available to you.”

Thanking Sayeeda for her visit, Jackie Whiteley said:

“It was great to have Sayeeda on the campaign trail today – the third time this campaign. It was really interesting talking with the students in the college and hearing their thoughts and ideas.”

Baroness Warsi, said:

“We are going to come out and fight for every single vote. Jackie is an outstanding local candidate who has a reputation for working hard for the people of Yorkshire and I know she will fight for their best interests.

“What Bradford West needs is someone who can deliver.”

Conservative Party candidate Jackie Whiteley, said:

“As the owner of a small business, I have got a real understanding of the issues and concerns of Bradford’s residents and local businesses.

“I will continue to campaign passionately for jobs, investment and a brighter future for the local community.”

Commenting, Conservative Party Co-Chairman, Sayeeda Warsi, said:

“Jackie is an outstanding local candidate who has a reputation for working hard for the people of Yorkshire and I know she will fight for their best interests.

“Our campaign in Bradford is underway, we are out listening to voters in the constituency, and I will be campaigning alongside Jackie for every vote.”

Conservative Party Candidate, Jackie Whiteley, added:

“It is a great honour and extremely exciting to be the Conservative candidate for Bradford West.  As the owner of a small business, I have got a real understanding of the issues and concerns of Bradford’s residents and local businesses.  I will continue to campaign passionately for jobs, investment and a brighter future for the local community.”

Thank you,

Matt Palmer
Chairman, Bradford Conservatives