West Yorkshire Combined Authority devolution deal cash will be used for Covid recovery

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has agreed to unlock £5 million in emergency funding secured through the West Yorkshire devolution deal to put councils’ priorities at the heart of the recovery from Covid 19.

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, chairwoman of WYCA and leader of Bradford Council, said: “It’s vital that we do all we can to support our partners and communities across the region as they look to recover from the awful impact of Covid-19.

“The funding we have secured through the West Yorkshire devolution deal gives us the flexibility to invest in and support economic recovery priorities right across West Yorkshire and will make a real difference.

“We’re making the limited resources we have available go as far as possible, but if we’re to properly support people, communities and the economy reach its full potential, we will need much greater levels of investment.

“We have drafted a £1.6 billion recovery plan and presented this to government as an investment proposition. We look forward to a time beyond the pandemic when we can deliver it in full.”

The £5 million in immediate support is being made available from £38 million annual funding secured as part of the West Yorkshire devolution deal.

The deal was agreed between the region’s leaders and the government in March 2020.

Bradford will receive around £1,157,000, Calderdale £453,000, Kirklees £942,000, Leeds £1,700,000, and Wakefield £746,000. The cash will be used to deliver urgent cultural and economic schemes.