A DELAY over Government annoucements that could see Bradford projects get millions in funding poses "significant risk" to these schemes.

Earlier this year Bradford was announced as a "priority area" for the Government's Community Renewal Fund - a £220 million pot of cash to help “support people and communities most in need.”

It was part of Boris Johnson's flagship "Levelling Up" proposals, and would replace funding that the UK lost after leaving the EU.

In March Councils, community groups and businesses were asked to put forward bids for projects that could kickstart the local economy, and West Yorkshire was expected to get around £15m in funding.

One condition of the funding would be that all the projects would need to be delivered, and all the money spent, by March 2022.

Details of the Bradford bids have not yet been made public.

Councils across the country eagerly awaited a Government announcement in July on which bids had been successful.

However, that announcement was never made, there were no updates on the fund at the Conservative conference, and the Government yesterday only confirmed to the Telegraph & Argus that decisions on successful bids would be made "shortly."

Bradford identified as ‘priority’ area for national £220 million Renewal Fund

At a meeting of Bradford Council last week Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) said he was "concerned" with the delays, and asked: "Doesn't the Government's delay put the viability of the project at risk?"

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe responded by describing the situation as "concerning" and urging the Government to extend the deadline that any grant would need to be spent by beyond March 2022 - just five months away.

She said: "The delays to the announcement will clearly pose a significant risk to the viability of the projects."

Cllr Hinchcliffe said the Bradford schemes were "exciting proposals focussing on skills development, community and business engagement, and an exciting programme of cultural initiatives."

She added: "Three months of delivery has been lost against what would have already been a challenging deadline. It would be sensible for Government to reflect this delay by extending the end date when announcing the final list of successful projects, or risk not realising the full value of this opportunity."

She said while work was being to assess the viability of the projects due to the time between the announcement and the end deadline growing ever smaller by the day.

She added: "The current situation creates risk that some activity may not happen at all as a consequence of timing issues, rather than the merits of the activity. We encourage the Government to allow an extended timeline of delivery until at least the end of Summer."

A Department of Levelling Up spokesperson told the Telegraph & Argus: “We are leading efforts to unite and level up all parts of the UK by empowering local leaders, boosting living standards, spreading opportunity, improving public services, and regenerating our town centres and high streets.

“The Community Renewal Fund will help communities in every corner of the UK to unleash their potential, take pride in where they live, and prepare to take full advantage of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund when it launches next year.

“Bids are currently being assessed, and the outcomes will be announced shortly.”