I WAS interested to read Bradford Council’s thoughts on the future funding arrangements for the four main theatres in the district.

The council is looking at four main options.

Phil Barker, assistant director, has said: “We have to look at every available option for the future delivery of council services.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby stressed: “This was only the beginning of a discussion about the future of the venues.”

What a different approach to the one being taken when deciding the future of the seven different community halls serving residents in the outlying villages and smaller towns in the district.

Here, it is a case of volunteers must take on the responsibility of running, maintaining and financing buildings, or the buildings will be closed and sold off.

Discussion and consideration of options are strictly limited, as a result of a very flawed consultation process. This was begun in the second week of December, to be completed by February 12. In between, Christmas and new year holidays brought everything to a halt.

In Silsden, Bradford Council has arranged a private meeting for groups regularly using the building, but the general public has not been invited. No consultation forms have been made available, apart from online. The results of the consultation process will be discussed and a decision taken at the full council meeting on February 23, which allows little time for consideration of people’s responses.

I suggest the council recognises its present proposals are unrealistic and starts again; it needs to consider seriously some different options for the funding and management of these halls, recognising what valuable resources they are to the communities in which they are situated. Then a meaningful consultation can begin.

WENDY NEVILLE Bradley Drive, Silsden