It is refreshing to see the leader of Bradford Council Ian Greenwood put aside party political ideology and give his group’s, albeit reluctant, support to the five free schools which are likely to be set up in the district.

It is a pragmatic move in keeping with the difficult times local authorities are facing.

There is no doubt that if these five free schools are set up, then it will ease the incredible pressure increasing pupil numbers will put on the area’s existing schools.

It might be argued that Coun Greenwood has little choice; the free schools are coming anyway, and Bradford Council opposing them would not stop their creation. Whatever the motivation, the decision to back the schools is a sensible one in the light of the economic realities we are facing.

The Council is bidding for Government funding to try to build two brand new schools in the district to cope with the continuing increases in pupil intake. But that funding is far from guaranteed, and whatever admissions policies are applied by these new free schools, they will at least help to ease the mounting pressure on classroom numbers.

And by showing willing to work with them, the ruling Labour group can at least work to integrate the way the free schools operate with the existing guidelines that apply to schools within the education authority.

Only time will tell if these new establishments will improve education for everyone or, in the worst case scenario, create a selective, two-tier system. But they are here, and here to stay for the foreseeable future at least. And rather than obstinately refusing to work with the free schools, Coun Greenwood has recognised that they may well have a part to play in the potential admissions crisis our schools are facing.