Halifax’s MP is raising concerns that money meant to improve life in one of the most deprived parts of the town is being “commandeered” by Calderdale Council.

Mixenden and a section of Illingworth have been picked to receive £20m of government cash over the next 10 years.

The Pride of Place scheme specifies that where the funding goes should be shaped by residents themselves, and a board of community champions has been appointed to consult with people in the area about this.

But Halifax MP Kate Dearden is worried Calderdale Council’s new Reform administration intends to “desecrate” the aims of the scheme by using some of the cash to fund Mixenden Activity Centre (MAC) after stopping a transfer of the centre to North Halifax Partnership (NHP).

placeholder image — MP for Halifax Kate Dearden

NHP had been running the centre and was working with the council, when Labour was in charge, on a bid to take over permanently via a community asset transfer.

But last month, NHP said it had been informed that a “political decision” had been made at the now Reform-run council not to proceed with the proposed transfer.

The Courier has asked Calderdale Council why NHP was told it could not take MAC on permanently but has not received a response.

In a letter to the secretary of state in charge of the scheme, Jim McMahon, Ms Dearden said: “It has been deeply concerning to see the new Reform UK administration of Calderdale Council signal their intent to desecrate the aims of Pride in Place, seeking to commandeer the programme’s finds to subsidise poor political decision-making by the council.”

At a meeting today, the council’s cabinet agreed to see if any other organisations want to take on MAC via a community asset transfer – a process that could take up to two years.

In the meantime, they agreed that community groups that were using the building up until its closure last month should be invited to return.

But they were warned that the centre will cost the council money – around £30,000 a year if left vacant and more if use resumes in costs such as staffing, utilities, repairs and IT provision.

Should the transfer process “cease for any reason”, the option councillors have agreed includes that the centre should be sold off.

They were told in a briefing paper: “There is an opportunity for the Pride in Place programme, through local decision-making to shape the area and the future of MAC.”

Ms Dearden is concerned the council looks to be considering how the £20m could become a potential funding source for MAC.

"MAC is a vital community asset within Pride of Place neighbourhood boundaries,” says her letter.

"Following years of uncertainty, the previous Labour administration of Calderdale Council secured its future with a sustainable source of funding.

"Now, the council is seeking to offload MAC, recently taking a political decision to cease a long-planned community asset transfer, under false pretences.

"I understand the council's cabinet is seeking to use Pride of Place funding to shift the so-called ‘financial burden’ of MAC onto the very community that relies on it.

"I would note that the cabinet’s decision has been made unilaterally, without the consent or notification of the Neighbourhood Board, and undermining the aims of Pride in Place.”

She asks the minister for advice on how to “protect these vital funds from misappropriation”.

Mr MacMahon’s reply stresses that the Pride in Place money should add additional value to existing provision and “not simply become a vehicle to fund currently provided local authority activity”.

He also says any proposal to use the £20m to fund MAC would need to comply with the project’s requirements and would be for the Neighbourhood Board to decide, based on the priorities established through community engagement and consultation.