Bradford Council brought together representatives from town and parish councils, the voluntary sector and local community groups last week, exploring how greater devolution and community involvement could shape decisions across the district.
The ‘Your City, Your Voice’ event was hosted by council leader Cllr Stephen Place, who opened proceedings by setting out the case for devolution — arguing that local communities are best placed to understand their own priorities, and stressing the value of genuine public participation in local decision-making.
Cllr Place said: “Devolved power ensures that local communities—who best understand their own unique challenges and opportunities—are the ones setting their own priorities. It is not about reducing the role of Bradford Council; it is about ensuring that decisions are made at the most appropriate level.
“Bradford already has twenty-one town and parish Councils, as well as area committees, demonstrating that local governance is an established part of the district. This event was a great opportunity to explore ways we could improve and enhance this further, helping to ensure local people are fully engaged with democratic and robust decision making which most effects them.”
