An employment project for disabled people, which teetered on the brink of disaster three years ago, is due to expand.

The troubled Isco 5 group - previously run by Bradford and Calderdale councils - was disbanded in 1997.

It was relaunched by Bradford Council as the Industrial Services Group and has become a success.

A report and accounts which will be submitted to the Council's Executive Committee on Wednesday shows its turnover for the financial year ending this month is expected to be £2.1 million.

Today the figures were described as "exceptional" by executive member for regeneration, Councillor Dave Green.

Last year, the group took responsibility for the design, manufacture and maintenance of illuminations for Christmas and other celebrations in the district.

The 62 disabled people are employed at workshops at the Paddock, Frizinghall, the Venlo Industrial estate and Towngate Business Centre, Bradford.

The workers make PVCu windows, cleaning products and provide a direct mailing and packaging service for local businesses.

The Executive Committee will be asked to approve a business plan for the coming year which will include a move into door assembly work, and powder-based cleaning products.

The group receives an agreed subsidy from the Council, but for the past three years has not exceeded it.

But Isco 5 went into the red before it was disbanded.

Coun Green said: "I am pleased with these exceptional figures and we look forward to continued improvements.

"As well as the financial aspect, we continue to recognise the employment opportunities for disabled people, not simply as an end to itself but as a stepping stone to the open market.

"The overall trading position at the Industrial Services Group is very encouraging, based on prudent financial management."

Leader of the Council's Tory group Councillor Margaret Eaton said: "We are delighted that this organisation employing disabled people is doing so well.

"But not very long ago the Conservatives highlighted the fact that disaster was looming when no move had been made by the Council to do anything about it."

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said the previous financial 'black hole' had been caused by a lack of direction.

"There was a lack of clarity over its aims - whether it was a business that happened to be employing disabled people, whether it was a way of giving people with disabilities training and employment at a time when many employers sadly discriminate against people with disabilities."

Coun Sunderland said the Council had decided ISG was a business, operating in competition with others.

She said the group had not established itself as a business and received a £500,000 subsidy from the authority. "The Council needs to look hard at what it is trying to achieve," she said.

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