Despite Covid-19, Kirklees Council is committed to the Huddersfield Blueprint

The leader of Kirklees Council has spoken of his commitment to the Huddersfield Blueprint, despite the financial effects of the Coronavirus.

Coun Shabir Pandor was asked what impact a financial hole would have on elements such as the £250m Blueprint and Kirklees' commitment to climate change.

'We remain absolutely committed to delivering our long-term vision for Kirklees. The budget we passed before the pandemic struck was all about investing in Kirklees and all its towns and villages, its people and its places,' he told the Huddersfield Examiner.

'Coronavirus hasn’t dented those ambitions, it’s made them more urgent. The same is true of the climate emergency, It hasn’t taken time off during the pandemic. It’s as critical as it was eight weeks ago and will become more so. Our capital investment needs to be as ambitious as it was before the crisis.'

Asked about the potential for the financial collapse of the council, he said: 'I am talking to Government on a weekly basis but right now our priority is about saving lives and making sure everyone stays safe; we’re not speaking about financial collapse.'

Meanwhile, Kirklees is is preparing to buy another key building in Huddersfield town centre. A report to next week's meeting of the council's Cabinet outlines the intention to buy what is described as 'a strategic property'.

The building, which has not been identified, is among the 'land assembly' required to deliver the Huddersfield Blueprint.