Cash for town centres has been agreed by Kirklees councillors.

And despite all parties on Kirklees Council having different ideas about how to boost town centres, there was unity that they needed attention.

While that unity didn’t translate into a unanimous vote for the ideas in the budget, funding was agreed for action plans that could one day lead to £25m of investment in Huddersfield and Dewsbury.

Clr Cathy Scott, Cabinet member for Place, said: “Functioning and vibrant town centres play a crucial role; not only for our economic well-being, but also as a much-valued amenity for our businesses, residents and potential visitors.

“Sustaining a major commercial centre in both the north and south of the district means that trading opportunities are available to everyone.

“Attractive streetscapes generate consumer footfall and are actively driving down premises vacancy rates. Rates in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury are falling; and at 12%, Huddersfield vacancies are now 1.5% lower than the national average.”

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Budget cuts mean that council funding for the Festival of Light and Dewsbury Spirit will end and Clr Scott added: “Encouraging more private events maintains the profile of our towns as great places to visit, supporting the visitor economy and our accommodation providers.”

“And ultimately, looking towards a future where the form and function of our town centres are changing, the safer and more attractive these spaces are to families, the easier and more seamless it will be to make a gradual transition to more appealing new uses, this appropriate investment is crucial.”

Clr Julie Stewart-Turner, whose Newsome ward covers the town centre, said: “Town centres are only vibrant if people come into town centres and if people fill those buildings.

“There is a lot more needed to make our town centres more diverse and appealing to a wider range of people. We have a lot of people living in town centres which is great but they need the same community facilities you find in other parts of Kirklees, things like clinics and health care facilities.

“We want a lot more people to visit to support our local employment opportunities so we’ve got to look at other ways our town centres can be attractive to more people.”

She added play areas in town centres to make them more family friendly adding ideas were needed before reinstating buildings.