Councils, including Bradford, will be able to decide what health measures their populations need from next year.

Preventing cancer, cutting tooth decay in children and the population weighing less are just some of the challenges local authoirtiess in Yorkshire will be able to track when they are given a ring-fenced budget and a share of £5.2 billion for 2012/13.

Those councils which make the most improvements health-wise will get another cash incentive.

Speaking at the Royal Society for Public Health, Health Minister Andrew Lansley said: “We are giving councils the money, the power, the right expertise and information to build healthier communities.

“It is absolutely right that the budget and decision-making sits with councils.”