BRADFORD is seen as a “priority” area that could benefit from a new fund to help areas recover from lockdown.

In March the Government announced the UK Community Renewal Fund - a £220 million pot of cash to help “support people and communities most in need.”

Bradford was named as one of many priority areas for the fund, based on “an index of economic resilience.”

Calderdale and Wakefield are also listed as high priority areas.

Locally the fund will be distributed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and at a meeting of the authority tomorrow members will receive an update on the funding.

A report going before the meeting says the Authority will work with local Councils and encourage applications for funding from groups including universities, voluntary and community sector organisations, and “umbrella business groups.”

A shortlist of projects worth around £15 million will be drawn up for West Yorkshire and submitted to the Government by June 18 for approval.

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Decisions on which schemes are successful should be announced this summer.

The report says: “To enable a broad range of ideas to come forward the Combined Authority is operating an open and transparent bidding process, inviting bids from any organisation that can deliver an eligible project.

“Investment priorities focus on supporting economic recovery and growth.”

The report says any proposals should align with Combined Authority targets for reducing Carbon emissions.

The Authority meets online at 11am on Thursday.