People across Keighley urged to have their say on the future of the district

Bradford Council announced earlier this year the launch of its initiative, with partner organisations, to develop a 2040 Vision.

Now it is asking members of the public to give their views.

The coronavirus crisis has scuppered plans for the moment to hold face-to-face consultation sessions.

But people can take part by visiting the Let’s Talk Bradford District website, at letstalk.bradford.gov.uk.

The council says it is now more important than ever, given the coronavirus pandemic, that people think about how they want the district to look in the future.

A spokesman said: “We’re living in unprecedented times.

“The pandemic is having an impact on us all in some way – and is likely to affect how we live our daily lives for some time to come.

“As we all continue to manage how we live, work and support the most vulnerable during these times, Bradford Council and its partners are also looking to the future. We don’t just want to adapt; we want to come back better than before and to see the district thrive.

“To achieve this, we need to listen to people across the district. The people who live and work here or visit Bradford district are the ones who make it what it is – and listening to their voices is essential in planning for the future.

“2040 Vision is a joint initiative between the council and its partners across all sectors – business, public services, and the voluntary and community sector. The purpose is to set out what we all, collectively, want the district to be like in 20 years’ time and to then work together towards achieving that.

“Although the world around us has changed, it’s now more important than ever that we think about what we want our city, towns and villages to be like.

“We want to hear from people from every corner of the district, whether you live, work or study here, as well as those living elsewhere who simply enjoy visiting.

“At the moment we can’t get out to meet people in person, face-to-face as we had planned, but we’d love to hear people’s thoughts via our website.”

The council says that initially, two main questions are being asked.

“Tell us what you love about where you live – this might be one of your long-time favourite places to visit in your area, somewhere you perhaps miss and can’t wait to go back to, or somewhere you have recently discovered as we all explore closer to home,” said the spokesman.

“And what do you want the Bradford district to be like as a place to live, work, learn and play in 20 years’ time? We want to know what people think about subjects such as how we will travel, commute, work, learn and enjoy our leisure, and about things like the environment, technology and the economy.”

The possibility of setting-up remote focus groups, for people particularly keen to help with the 2040 Vision project, is also being investigated. Anyone interested should email 2040vision@bradford.gov.uk.

Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “Despite it being just a few months ago, the world already seems like a very different place to what it was when we first launched the 2040 Vision.

“Our lives have all been impacted in some way by the pandemic. Some of the long-term effects are yet to be felt but it will undoubtedly have a major impact on aspects of the future.

“This is why it’s more important than ever that we do all we can to set our own narrative for the future. I want people in the district to help us shape our plans. If the plan is to work it has to be based on the thoughts and ideas of the people who live and work here.”