AUTUMN 2016
NEWS FROM KEIGHLEY TOWN COUNCIL DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR
Makeover for Keighley Cenotaph Miracle facelift
BEHIND THE SCENES Guardhouse Urban Woodland Project
PLUS
CELEBRATING SUMMER Keighley by the Sea
Mayor’s Charitable Trust • Remembrance Day • Christmas lights switch on • Young achievers
PUBLIC TOWN MEETING 10.30am Thursday 15th December 2016 Will be held in the Keighley Civic Centre North Street, Keighley
UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF COUNCILLOR SHABIR AHMED
• Have you got any questions or suggestions? • Are there any local issues which are causing concern? • Come along and let your voice be heard on the future of Keighley. You will have the opportunity to quiz town councillors on any concerns or queries you have on the future of Keighley.
Light refreshments will be provided.
For more information please contact the Town Clerk's office on 01535 618252/3
MEET OUR NEW MAYOR & DEPUTY MAYOR
Councillor Shabir Ahmed was confirmed as the new Town Mayor at the Town Council’s Annual Meeting in May this year. He takes over the robes from the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Javaid Akhtar. Councillor Ahmed said he felt privileged and honoured to be chosen and pledged to do his best for Keighley residents, young and old. "Following on from Councillor Javaid Akhtar will not be an easy task,” Mr Ahmed said. “He's worked hard to improve the council's reputation and to restore faith. If I do half as good a job as him, I will be pleased." Councillor Ahmed has served on the Council for 13 years and lives in Highfield. His past experience includes working for Transdev Keighley and District for 39 years. He spent some of this time working as a bus driver. Currently a duty manager at Keighley Bus Station, Mr Ahmed has also served on the council's Watch and Transport committee for many years and he has been a member of Events, Finance, Policy and Governance and Civic Centre committees. He is now looking forward to supporting all the council committees. During Councillor Ahmed's term in office, the Town Mayoress will be his daughter, Anissa Ahmed. "This has been my home town since 1969 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else,” Mr Ahmed said. “For the trust you've placed in me, I give you my commitment that I won't let you down. I will look to engage with everyone who we represent in Keighley, whether they are young or old."
Meet our Deputy Mayor
The Mayor will be supported throughout the year by Councillor Barry Thorne, a former lord mayor who was elected as the Deputy Town Mayor for the Town Council 2016/17. Mr Thorne (pictured right with Town Mayor Shabir Ahmed) was elected onto Keighley Town
KEIGHLEY TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS 2016/17 2016-2017: Keighley Town Mayor, Cllr Shabir Ahmed; Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Barry Thorne
Cllr Fatima Bibi
Choudhry A Mahmood
Cllr Samuel Fletcher
Chaudhury Tariq Mahmood
Cllr Christopher Herd
Cllr Michael Westerman
Cllr Barry Thorne
Cllr Peter Corkindale
Cllr Julie Adams
Cllr Mark Curtis
Cllr Gary Pedley
Cllr Luke Maunsell
Cllr Philip Shaw
Cllr Gulfraz Hussain
Cllr Ian Dermondy
Cllr Andrea Walker
Cllr Amjid Ahmed
Cllr Sohail Zubair
Cllr Shabir Ahmed
Cllr Fulzar Ahmed
Cllr Nasar Ali
Cllr Shazad Mahmood
Cllr Javaid Akhtar
Cllr Anayat Mohammed
Cllr Amjad Zaman
Cllr Mohammed Nazam
Cllr John Kirby
Cllr Ronald Beale
Cllr Kaneez Akhtar
Cllr Tufail Khan
Bogthorn & Exley Ward Bracken Bank & Ingrow Ward Bracken Bank & Ingrow Ward Bracken Bank & Ingrow Ward Fell Lane & Westburn Ward Fell Lane & Westburn Ward Fell Lane & Westburn Ward Guard House Ward Highfield Ward Highfield Ward
Knowle Park Ward Lawkholme & Showfield Ward Lawkholme & Showfield Ward Laycock & Braithwaite Ward Long Lee & Parkwood Ward
Long Lee & Parkwood Ward Morton & Sandbeds Ward Morton & Sandbeds Ward Oakworth Ward
Oakworth Ward Oakworth Ward
Riddlesden & Stockbridge Ward Riddlesden & Stockbridge Ward Riddlesden & Stockbridge Ward Spring Gardens & Utley Ward Spring Gardens & Utley Ward Spring Gardens & Utley Ward Town Ward
Woodhouse & Hainworth Ward Woodhouse & Hainworth Ward
For information on how to contact individual councillors, please call 01535 618252. Details can also be found on the Keighley Town Council website www.keighley.gov.uk or you can email townclerk@keighley.gov.uk
Council in May 2015 and has served as a parish councillor previously at Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council for five years as well as a district Cllr serving on Bradford Metropolitan District Council for 30 years. Mr Thorne served in the royal navy and worked for British telecom for 23 years. On his appointment as Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Thorne said, “I am glad to serve with Shabir and will try and put the town on the map.”
CONTENTS | 3
Comment
W
elcome to the autumn edition of your Keighley newsletter, KTC Connect, keeping you informed with what’s going on at Keighley Town Council. In this edition, we celebrate the fantastic summer we’ve had with our feature on the Cenotaph’s marvellous makeover, the successful St George’s Day festivities and the Keighley by the Sea celebrations. As summer turns to autumn, Allotments Officer, Lee Senior, takes us behind the scenes at the Guardhouse Urban Woodland Project to tell us how the initiative has been blossoming. We also let you know about arrangements for Armed Forces Day, Workers’ Memorial Day and the big Christmas Lights switch on! Plus there’s news on the Mayor’s Charitable Trust, an update on the future of the Civic Centre, an in-depth article on how to apply for a grant and much, much more! We hope you enjoy reading your newsletter. Please feel free to tell us what you think, or send any suggestions for future issues to townclerk@keigley.gov.uk. KTC Connect will be delivered to your door twice a year, but you can also read it online at www.keighley.gov.uk/documents. Safia Kauser Editor & Town Clerk
Contents 04
EDITOR Safia Kauser Town Clerk/RFO Email: townclerk@keighley.gov.uk SUB-EDITOR Jackie Annett CONTRIBUTOR Lee Senior Allotments Officer PUBLISHER Keighley Town Council Keighley Civic Centre North Street, Keighley, BD21 3RZ Telephone: 01535 618252 MAGAZINE PRODUCTION & PRINTING Carolyne Griffin The Magazine Production Company Information correct at time of going to press. May be subject to change. All rights reserved and is the property of the publisher. © Keighley Borough Council 2016. Reprinting any part or matter appearing in KTC Connect is strictly forbidden except by permission of the publisher. All copyright of images/content remains that of its photographer/author. Every effort has been made to gain permission to publish copyright material however, where efforts have been exhausted, we have published on the basis of ‘Fair Use’ to comment factual based material where by its use is not central or plays a significant part to the entire publication but to act as an aid for historical and educational purposes only. This publication is offered as a limited print run. The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct. However, it cannot take responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions. Keighley Borough Council does not accept any responsibility or liability for any of the services or products provided by the advertisers.
06
YOUR KEIGHLEY COUNCIL NEWS
We bring you the latest news on our audit reports, the future of the Civic Centre, the Cenotaph's facelift, the Mayor’s Charitable Trust and our charity dinner to raise money for Airedale NeoNatal unit.
11
How Keighley residents marked the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare on April 23.
12
08
COMMUNITY ROUND-UP
We look forward to Keighley Armed Forces Day, show you how we’ve been saving lives with defribilators and tell you how to apply for a grit bin near you.
ACCOUNTS UPDATE See exactly what we’ve spent our money on during the last 12 months.
WHAT'S ON
We've loads to look forward to this autumn and winter including the Pensioners' Christmas Lunch, Remembrance Day, Tea Dance and the big Christmas Lights switch on.
WOODLAND PROJECT Allotments and Horticultural Officer, Lee Senior, tells readers how the Urban Woodland Project has been blossoming.
07
ST GEORGE’S DAY
13
KEIGHLEY BY THE SEA
The seaside swept into Keighley this summer as the council hosted a residents' summer fun day enjoyed by young and old.
14
APPLY FOR A GRANT
Keighley Council is allocated an amount of money every year to help local projects and people working within the community. We tell you how you can apply. AUTUMN 2016 | KTCConnect
4 | COUNCIL NEWS
UPDATE ON OUR AUDIT REPORTS A recent independent audit of the Town Council has concluded that we have successfully addressed the significant issues previously identified in past internal and external audit reports. The audit found that the council has completed a lot of work over the last 18 months which has been effective in strengthening the council’s control.
SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL OLYMPIANS
Two local athletes have inspired Keighley Town Council’s choice for the Mayor’s chosen charity for 2016 and 2017. The athletes train with Bradford Disability Sports & Leisure (BDSL) and have made a positive and inspirational impact on our Mayor, Councillor Ahmed. During a visit to Keighley in 2013, they showed off their medals that they had won at the Special Olympics in Sheffield. Donations to the Mayor’s charity can be made payable to Keighley Town Mayor’s Charity.
THE FUTURE OF THE CIVIC CENTRE
Keighley residents have been invited to give their views on the future of Keighley’s Civic Centre and tell us what they think it should be used for. The Council conducted a number of consultation awareness days held in July across a variety of venues including Morrisons, the Airedale Shopping Centre, Shaans Supermarket and the Bus Station. The consultation process has now finished and we’d like to thank the 419 Keighley residents who took part. In addition to the survey, we also conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews to further understand people’s opinions and views on the future of the Civic Centre. Now we will be handing over to Enventure Research to analyse the feedback and prepare a report for the Town Council. Once this is completed, a company called S4W will write a business plan and present this to the Council in December to implement. KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2016
FUN RUN TO RAISE MONEY FOR MAYOR’S CHARITY Tighten up your laces and get ready for a sponsored fun run at the Marley Stadium in Keighley.
On Saturday 22 October, there will be a sponsored fun run to raise funds for the Special Olympics 2017, taking place in Sheffield. Team Bradford has approximately 60 athletes taking part and 22 of these are from the Keighley area. You don’t need to be an athlete to take part. The fun run is open to all abilities and entrants are welcome to walk or run, with the distance expected to be set at between 3 and 5k. Keighley’s Mayor, Shabir Ahmed, said. “This will be a fun event to raise money for our new charity of the year Bradford Disability, Sports & Leisure. If you are interested in taking part in any way please contact Barry Thorne on bsr1@btconnect.com or 07423 431629. All proceeds raised from the fun run will go to the Keighley Town Mayor's Charitable Trust fund. Any cheque donations can be made payable to 'Keighley Town Mayor's Charity'.
£4,000 FOR NEO-NATAL UNIT
Former Keighley mayor, Councillor Javaid Akhtar, recently held a charity dinner at the Keighley Civic Centre to raise money for Airedale Hospital’s Neonatal unit. The hospital’s Neo-natal unit provides care for babies who are ill or premature. Airedale Hospital has 12 cots (including those dedicated to intensive care/high dependency) for babies born at 27 weeks' gestation or more. The dinner drew in around 400 people and included an auction and raffle. Local traders donated a range of prizes including free haircuts and gift vouchers. The event was a huge success and as a result Councillor Akhtar presented a cheque for £4,860.45 to the Neo-natal unit, which will be used to refurbish facilities for parents. Mr Javaid Akhtar said; “I want to thank all of the traders who donated prizes for the event. One of my main goals has been to help the local community as much as possible – anything we can give to the hospital is a huge help, so the support we’ve seen is greatly appreciated.” Teresa Mamwell, ward co-ordinator on the Neo-natal unit, said; “We are thankful to everyone who contributed towards this fundraising event. We will be using the money to re-decorate our parent facilities, including two bedrooms and a sitting area. The comfort of parents during this stressful time is extremely important to us – this will help us to provide further, excellent care.”
COUNCIL NEWS | 5
Miracle makeover for Keighley Cenotaph
RON BEALE WINS CO-OPTION SEAT FOR WOODHOUSE & HAINWORTH Four candidates put themselves forward for Co-option for the Woodhouse and Hainworth ward and their applications were considered at the Town Council meeting on 28 April 2016. The casual vacancy was triggered by former Councillor, Barbara Archer, resigning from the Council in January 2016. Each candidate gave their submission to the Council and on the third round of voting, Ronald Beale was co-opted onto the Town Council for the Woodhouse and Hainworth Ward, after gaining the overall majority of votes available at the meeting, 57.69%. Co-option results (April 2016) Round One
Round Two
Round Three
Ronald Beale
8
9
15
Emanuelle Bernandini
11
11
Janet Perkins
Martin Walker
Total Votes Cast
As you can see from our striking front page, the Cenotaph in the Town Hall Square has had a facelift! The work cost just short of ten thousand pounds and is thanks to the Town Council’s Allotments and Landscapes (A&L) committee, which invested £9,760 to treat the Town Hall Square to a bit of TLC prior to Armed Forces Day. A&L Chair, Councillor John Kirby, said ‘I am pleased that the committee has been able to do something for the people of Keighley and, as the Cenotaph is in the centre of the town, it was important that the statues were maintained. The work carried out will give the statues an approximate 100-year life-span, subject to yearly maintenance works being carried out.” Local contractors, Aura Conservation, won the contract and the company worked in conjunction with Mark and Tracey Livingstone of Farmers Bronze restoration. The work was completed by the middle of June and everybody has been really pleased with the finished job. The three bronze statues and columns were systematically cleaned, which involved bead blasting to remove plantation growth and discolouration that had accumulated over the years. Three professional coats of Mahogany bee’s wax were applied, which is a specialised coating used to seal the statues and give it good all round general protection. According to the company specialists, the statues were last restored in the early 1990s. The completed works may last a lifetime, if the Council ensures the statues are washed at least once a year and one coat of waxing is applied. The company also recommends that the condition of the statues is regularly reviewed, as toxic car fumes can contribute towards how often the statues need to be maintained. The Town Council is determined to keep the Town Hall Square area in pristine condition. The work done on the Cenotaph complements the beautiful flower beds, which are maintained by Steve Thorpe, and further reinforces our commitment to the upkeep of the square.
2 4
5
25
25
15 = 57.69% – Ronald Beale
Councillor Beale previously served on Keighley Town Council for two terms that spanned eight years. In an interview, Mr Beale said: “When the vacancy for Hainworth and Woodhouse came up for co-option, I was encouraged to stand for the seat and finally agreed to do so, thinking that there would be no way that I would win the co-option. “In many ways, I was impressed from the first meeting of the new council. It was clear that a spirit of openness and a will to interact with the public was clear. Quarterly open meetings were a good start, followed by a 25 per cent precept reduction, the council was indeed making a clean start, and a green light from the internal auditors soon followed. “There is still a long way to go, but with new councillors, who have shown a keen determination, and not forgetting our new clerk, things are taking a turn in the right direction. I was born in Keighley, and spent all my life in the area. I worked with Bradford Hospitals as a Senior Operating Dept Practitioner until I retired, and after retirement served two terms as a member of The Council Of Governors, as a Public Governor for Keighley and Craven. “Once again I am proud to serve one more term on Keighley Town Council for Hainworth and Woodhouse, and I hope to help the new council establish itself, on a firm footing for Keighley. " AUTUMN 2016 | KTCConnect
6 | WOODLAND PROJECT
Unveiling the Guardhouse Urban Woodland Plaque Allotments and Horticultural Officer, Lee Senior, tells readers how the Urban Woodland Project is coming along.
T
he Guardhouse Urban Woodland Project is blossoming and on 7 September, Keighley Town Council (KTC) held an event to say thank you to Wren for contributing 89 per cent of the costs. If it wasn’t for this investment, the project would not have been able to go ahead and the plaque (pictured) is our way of thanking them for their help, which helped ensure the project got off the ground. The woodland project is going from strength to strength and as we approached late summer, the majority of the newly planted trees were growing strongly. The rain during early summer was just what the project needed to aid root development in the early stages. Even better news is that damage to the trees has been minimal, far less than the 20 per cent potential loss rate we’d allowed for. The man in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly is Ian Butterfield from the Forest of Bradford. Ian has been monitoring the trees, making repairs where necessary and replanting any trees that have become uprooted. He has also been treating weeds to keep them under control, which is particularly important in the first year of the trees’ development. It’s just as important to monitor weed growth around the trees because weeds compete for moisture and nutrients which can affect the development of young trees. Despite positive progress, the site has been vandalised and walls near the cat steps have been destroyed. We have decided not to rebuild the walls but we will continue to monitor the woodland and further improve the site, subject to available funding. We are also particularly keen to encourage schools to come and visit the woodland project and use the site as an outdoor resource. Thanks again to Wren for their huge support, as well as Trees for Cities and Shaun O’Hare, who we worked closely with while putting together the funding bid.
Further investment for the allotment site
The Council has also been investing in security fencing for the allotment site. We’ve recently given the go ahead for an additional tranche of 100 metres of security fencing which has already been erected. The additional work has received positive feedback from plot holders. KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2016
(l-r) Councillor Ian Dermondy with Town Mayor, Shabir Ahmed and Cllr Luke Maunsall.
"We are particularly keen to encourage schools to come and visit the woodland project and use the site as an outdoor resource."
COMMUNITY ROUND-UP | 7
APPLYING FOR A GRIT BIN NEAR YOU
With the darker nights already drawing in, it won’t be long before we are faced with the colder winter weather and the problems it can cause. At the very start of the winter season, the Town Council starts replenishing its grit bins and continues to do so throughout the winter months. If you believe your street needs an extra grit bin, you can apply for one. All you need to do is fill in an application. The Town Council has adopted a Grit Bin Policy and Procedure for dealing with request from residents within the parish. This is available to download from the Town Council website, www.keighley.gov.uk. How to apply for a grit bin 1. R ead the Grit Bin Policy and Procedure 2. Download and print the application form. Please ensure the form is signed by at least 50 per cent of the households within 100 metres of the proposed bin 3. Complete and sign the form 4. R eturn it to the address at the bottom of the form
We will assess the proposed site for your potential bin in relation to visibility, obstruction and distance from the edge of the road. If your application is approved, we will send you a confirmation letter. However, if we can't approve the application, we will then contact you to discuss why. To request that a Town Council grit bin is refilled, please call 01535 618252. For all other grit bins, please contact Bradford Metropolitan District Council on 01274 431000 or complete the application form online at www.keighley.gov.uk. Please do not take grit to use on your own driveway as this will have an impact on local road safety. Grit for clearing your footpath and driveway can be purchased at local DIY or hardware shops.
Saving lives with defribilators Local MP Kris Hopkins was guest of honour at a defibrillator training event held at the Keighley Civic Centre in July. The event was organised to raise awareness of the defibrillators that have been installed around the town, which can be used in the event of someone suffering a cardiac arrest. Keighley now has five defibrillators and those who turned up to the event were given special training on how to use them. They learnt that first and foremost, the official advice is to dial 999 for guidance on where the nearest defibrillator is located. Councillor Ian Dermondy, Keighley Town Council, said: “We have been working on this initiative for the past 12 months with Dave Jones from the Yorkshire Ambulance Trust. I’m delighted that residents in the area will now have this facility which significantly increases a patient’s survival risk from a staggering 4 to 60 per cent.” The defibrillators have been funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group and organisers are hoping to ensure even more are available locally in the future. They also want to make sure people know exactly where they are located and how and when to use them. Keighley and Ilkley MP, Kris Hopkins, said: “Defibrillators are invaluable lifesaving devices and it’s important that members of the public are aware that this facility exists. But they also need to be confident that they can use them should the need arise. The work that the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust does in highlighting these issues saves many lives and should be applauded by all of us.” Mayor of Keighley, Cllr Shabir Ahmed, added: “The event provided an excellent opportunity to show residents that they need not have any fears about using the defibrillators should they need to. Members of the community have participated in demonstrations and have discovered just how easy it is to use them.” Anyone requiring further information about these defibrillators should email responders@yas.nhs.uk.
ARMED FORCES DAY This year’s Armed Forces Day drew in bigger crowds than ever as hundreds of Keighley residents flocked to see the war horses, military vehicles and a Spitfire Flypast from the RAF BBMF team. Keighley Town Council worked closely with the Keighley Armed Forces Association to put on another fantastic Armed Forces Day event in Keighley on 19 June to thank our military for their hard work and recognise our veterans for the sacrifices they made. Major Colbeck from the Light Dragoons was presented with a special plate from the Keighley Emergency Relief Team, acknowledging the work carried out by his team during last year’s floods. The Keighley Ahmadiyya Muslim Association was also recognised for its contribution to the town during the floods. They were awarded framed medals which had actually belonged to their formed president Abdul Latif — a Burma veteran from World War Two who fought for the British Army. Schools and community groups were also involved in the celebrations and a Major from the 4th Infantry Brigade visited local schools and community groups to talk about World War One. This inspired schoolchildren to look into their own history and work on their own displays. Since it began three years ago, Keighley Armed Forces day has gone from strength to strength. Planning is already underway for next
year’s event and new Chair, Mr Luke Davison, will take the lead. Mr Davison is a veteran who served with the Yorkshire Regiment and has a great team behind him. We’re hoping that next year will be bigger and better and we’ll be doing a lot more work behind the scenes to support our local veterans. We’ll be starting a veteran’s breakfast club, as well as lobbying for veteran’s rights to really show just how much Keighley supports its Armed Forces. AUTUMN 2016 | KTCConnect
8 | KEIGHLEY ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
KEIGHLEY TOWN COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 2015 – MARCH 2016 TOWN MAYOR
DEPUTY MAYOR
Cllr Javaid Akhtar
Cllr Gary Pedley
COMMITTEES AND CHAIRPERSONS Allotments & Landscapes
Civic Centre
Events & Leisure
Civic Centre Strategy
Finance & Audit
Human Resources
Policies & Governance
Planning
Watch & Transport
Cllr John Kirby
Cllr Amjad Zaman
Cllr Barry Thorne
Cllr Michael Westerman
Cllr Mohammed Nazam
Cllr Gary Pedley
Cllr Ian Dermondy
Cllr Mohammed Anayat
Cllr Amjad Zaman
Cllr Amjid Ahmed
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL Cllr Peter Corkindale
Cllr John Kirby
Cllr Fulzar Ahmed
Cllr Mark Curtis
Cllr Chaudhury Tariq Mahmood
Cllr Shabir Ahmed
Cllr Ian Dermondy
Cllr Chouhdry A Mahmood
Cllr Kaneez Akhtar
Cllr George Firth (Part)
Cllr Shazad Mahmood
Cllr Nasar Ali
Cllr Samuel Fletcher
Cllr Luke Maunsell
Cllr Barbara Archer (Part)
Cllr Gulfraz Hussain
Cllr Anayat Mohammed
Cllr Fatima Bibi
Cllr Tufail Khan
Cllr Mohammed Nazam
Cllr Katherine Roberts
Cllr Philip Shaw
Cllr Barry Thorne
Cllr Andrea Walker
Cllr Michael Westerman
Cllr Sohail Zubair
Cllr Julie Adams (Part)
Cllr Chris Herd (Part)
TOWN CLERK/RFO
OFFICERS
Ms Safia Kauser
ALLOTMENTS OFFICER
Mr Lee Senior
MINUTE TAKERS
Mrs Dianne Duckworth & Mrs Nichola Powell
CIVIC CENTRE RECEPTIONIST (Part)
Mrs Janet Brown
SECURITY OFFICER
Mr Harry Plunkett
CIVIC CENTRE FACILITIES SUPERVISOR (Part)
Mrs Debra Butterfield
OAKWORTH CONTACT POINT CO-ORDINATOR (Part)
Mrs Margaret Smith
FORMER CLERKS (part to July 2015)
Thomas Ferry & Debbie Spink
KEIGHLEY TOWN COUNCIL AIMS FOR 2016 AND 2017
• T o continue to manage the existing and new assets of the town prudently. • To implement the recommendations of the Internal and External Auditors through robust new governance procedures. • To develop and execute a business plan and strategy for the Civic Centre. • To ensure that all Elected Members receive appropriate support, advice and training. • To continue work for the benefit of the community to make Keighley a better and safer place to live, work and enjoy. • To work in partnership with all organisations for the benefit of the people of Keighley. • To play a role in the new Business Improvement Development (BID) for Keighley Town Centre. • To play a lead role in the decision making of the area. • To make decisions that benefit Keighley. • To continue bringing Civic and other events to the Keighley parish. • To use new legislation to the benefit of the town and to be actively involved in prioritising the needs of the parish and its people. KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2016
ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT
• Events to raise funds for Royal British Legion and Army Cadets. • Civic Heads attended Keighley Gala and Village Galas throughout the parish. • Co-ordinated and supported street markets, events and anniversaries. • Ongoing financial support to Keighley Town Centre. Association and Keighley Armed Forces Day Association. • Provided banners to promote events in Keighley. • Support & report to Neighbourhood Forums across the parish. • Active role at community centres across the parish, provision of school governors.
KEIGHLEY ANNUAL ACCOUNTS | 9
MAYOR’S REPORT 2015-16 In an election year, the Council make-up changed considerably. The Council saw 19 new councillors take up office, much of which were party political. The Council encountered many staffing problems which took effect after the recent Public Interest Report (PIR). During a difficult year, a permanent Town Clerk was appointed, combining her existing duties of Responsible Financial Officer after a period of being appointed as Acting Town Clerk. During the end of the 2014-15 period, although many of the action plans and policies were introduced as measures to address the PIR, many of the changes that were required were implemented and embedded in everyday working practices along with a change of culture in 2015/16. Internal audit reports showed the positive changes the Council was making and the progress to date. An ongoing police investigation was also conducted at the time and concluded that no criminal acts had taken place. The Council received correspondence from External Auditors PKF Littlejohns at the end of March 2016 in relation to the objections raised against the accounts for 2013/14. Assuming there were no appeals made (within 28 days), the auditors were able to sign off the 2013/14 and 2014/15 accounts. The auditors resolved not to issue another PIR despite being requested to do so by the objectors. This was due to: • Significant improvements in its internal control procedures and in its compliance in its financial regulations • The end of trading at the Civic Centre • Changes in personnel amongst the council officers and the appointment of a new Responsible Finance Officer • Implementation of the action plan drawn
up to implement the recommendations contained within the PIR • Reports from the Council’s internal auditors • Representations from the Council including a copy of its current asset register policy and register This year also saw the Council carry out an additional three public meetings in addition to the Annual Town Meeting. The meetings were organised to allow the public to engage with the Council on local issues and to enable the Council to be more open and transparent than ever before. In addition to the eight standing committees, the Civic Centre Strategy committee was appointed to assist in determining the future and viability of the Centre. This was triggered by recommendations in a recent internal audit report and by concerns raised by the external auditor. Much of the controversy surrounding the legal status of the Centre is currently ongoing. In November 2015, the Council resolved that it had met the eligibility in Parish Councils (General Power of Competence, Prescribed conditions, Order 2012). This allows it to use the General Power of Competence as set out in the Localism Act Chapter 1, sections 1 to 8 and that it is eligible to use this power to the next ordinary election in 2015 when it must resolve that it meets the eligibility criteria to continue to be an eligible Parish Council. After the increase of 72.6 per cent in the budget for 2012/13, the Council was in a position to reduce this. Many of the reductions related to staff and Civic Centre costs. The overall council budget was reduced by 21 per cent amounting to £127,237 for 2016/17.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2015 AND 2016
• Implementation of the recommendations of the Internal and External Auditors through robust new governance procedures. • L aunch of the ‘Keighley Town Mayor’s Charitable Trust’ board. • Training for all new elected members of the Council. • Review of the Town Council Committee Structure . • ‘New Deal’ initiative talks with the principal authority (devolvement of services). • Management of allotments. • Maintenance and management of the Town Hall Square garden. • Continued responsibility for grit bins, provision and filling. • Active engagement with businesses by creating new links and partnerships. • Proposed transport schemes which have now been adopted by Bradford Council. • Part-funded bus services to link Bronte Country into the Keighley Parish. • Staged events such as St George’s weekend, OktoberFest and Remembrance Day. • Hosted school visits to Council Chamber and Cenotaph. • Organised training for Town Councillors across the district on planning issues. • Continued support of the Police and Community Contact Point in Oakworth. • Campaigned for commercial Boxing Day bus services.
The Mayor's Charitable Trust was set up in June 2015. The board members were appointed by Keighley Town Council on a four-year term. My chosen charity for this year was the Maternity & Neonatel Unit at Airedale General Hospital. This charity helps to improve the journey of mothers who’s unborn child is in need of extra care and monitoring from first diagnosis to discharge and to support the parents and families through this difficult, worrying and sometime distressing time. A successful charity dinner night in March 2016 saw funds raised in the region of £4,500. Flooding over the Boxing Day period s aw many of the Councillors, including myself, take an active part in assisting the many people that were affected. It was good to see the community united in helping each other. The new KTC Connect newsletter was launched and distributed across the parish. The new look newsletter received positive feedback and the Council will be issuing two newsletters per year from the new Civic Year. It has been a difficult year for the Council, however, it has been business as usual during 2015/16 despite one major event being cancelled in the summer due to staff shortages. The governance has improved tremendously and a sound framework is in place to allow the Council to rebuild and move forward in the right direction. Under the devolution of services, I believe there may be a bigger role for parishes to play in the future. Councillor Javaid Akhtar Town Mayor 2015/16
GRANTS, SPONSORSHIPS AND BUSINESS SUPPORT We provided £8,143 funding through the Acorn and Oak Grant schemes to local schools, clubs and voluntary organisations throughout the parish. This consisted of £3,000 to Keighley Armed Forces Day Association, £10,000 to Keighley and District Volunteers Centre, £6,000 to Keighley Town Centre Association and £250 annual funding to support the Christmas Day free bus service.
AUTUMN 2016 | KTCConnect
10 | KEIGHLEY ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
KEIGHLEY TOWN COUNCIL INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2016 OPERATING INCOME 2015/16
INCOME
2015/16 £
PRECEPT
593,434
BRADFORD COUNCIL SUPPORT GRANT
116,604
FINANCE
OTHER MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION
MAGAZINE & QUALITY COUNCIL REQUIREMENTS ALLOTMENTS
CIVIC CENTRE TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE (RUNNING COSTS) FINANCE & AUDIT
446 30
-120 47,174
12,659
£770,227
41,972
SPECIAL PROJECTS
10,000
MEMBERS ALLOWANCES
26,266
GRANTS
BUSINESS SUPPORT STAFFING COSTS
OTHER MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION
8,143
6,000
107,657 26,703
TRAINING EXPENSES
2,425
MAGAZINE
5,319
REMEMBRANCE DAY
HUMAN RESOURCES ADVISOR
3,472
2,794
ALLOTMENTS
43,122
TOWN HALL SQUARE GARDEN
16,889
BRONTE TURNING CIRCLE VEHICLE EVENTS
WATCH & TRANSPORT CIVIC CENTRE
CIVIC CENTRE BAR & CATERING CIVIC CENTRE CAFÉ
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
486
1,559
9,603
16,296
195,957 699 254
526,454
GENERAL FUND ANALYSIS OPENING BALANCE PLUS INCOME FOR YEAR
770,224
LESS EXPENDITURE FOR YEAR
526,454
TRANSFERS TO/FROM RESERVES CLOSING BALANCE CURRENT ASSETS DEBTORS (SALES LEDGER) VAT REFUNDS
PREPAYMENTS & ACCRUED INCOME STOCK
TREASURERS ACCOUNT 30 DAY NOTICE ACCOUNT PETTY CASH
927,491
401,037
12,551 388,486
8,335 15,004
345
1,524
-30,166
488,659 250
483,951
TOTAL ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES ACCRUALS & OTHER CREDITORS
5,465
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
GENERAL FUND EM RESERVES – CONTINGENCY
EM RESERVES – ELECTION COSTS
478,486
0
TOTAL ASSETS LESS LONG TERM LIABILITIES TOTAL ASSETS CONSIST OF
483,951
5,465
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
EM RESERVES – CHATSWORTH TRUST
KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2016
157,267
478,486
388,486
20,000 45,000 25,000 478,486
ST GEORGE'S DAY | 11
St George's Medieval Madness
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eighley was filled with medieval madness on St George’s Day, when celebrations honouring the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare came to town. Organised by Keighley Town Council, the main event took place on Saturday 23 April with street entertainment on Church Green and an outdoor market taking over Low Street from Thursday to Saturday. To honour the 400th anniversary of England’s greatest playwright, entertainment was centred on Shakespearian times and included a 16th century Flea Circus. Punch and Judy shows proved popular with kids and adults alike and a court jester also provided lots of entertainment with circus skills workshops on the green. Peter, the Historical Musician, played a variety of medieval instruments and children were able to have their faces painted and enjoy unlimited use of the inflatable slide. If you were there you may have recognised Keighley Town Council’s former mayor, Javaid Akhtar, who was at the event. “It was thoroughly enjoyable and the entertainment was popular with a steady stream of people attending throughout the day, which was fantastic to see,” Mr Akhtar said. “We enjoyed being able to honour Shakespeare on this day and the Council looks forward to building on this great event year on year.” AUTUMN 2016 | KTCConnect
12 | WHAT'S ON KEIGHLEY
The 2016 Pensioners’ Christmas lunch
This year, the annual Christmas Pensioners' Lunch will be hosted over two days on Tuesday 13 and 14 December 2016. Local residents aged over 65 are invited to attend the three-course meal, which will be followed by a Christmas Choir and other festivities. This event is only open to people living in Keighley and you may be asked for proof of residency and identity. There are only 100 tickets available so contact the Town Clerk office on 01535 618252 as soon as possible to secure your place.
THE BIG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON 2016!
The date for this year’s Christmas lights switch on has been confirmed as Sunday 27 November 2016. Further details at this stage are not yet available, but we will bring you the information as soon as we have it. Keep an eye on discoverkeighley.co.uk for updates.
Remembering our heroes
This November we will be remembering our heroes who served our country with two special events. The garden of remembrance service will take place on Thursday 10 November in the Town Hall Square at 10.55am followed by a two-minute silence at 11am on the same day. On Sunday 13 November, there will be a parade starting at 9.30am from Russell Street. Town Mayor, Shabir Ahmed, will join Mayoress Anissa Ahmed for the Remembrance Service at Keighley Shared Church, which will start at 10am. This will be followed by a two-minute silence and the laying of wreaths at the Town Hall Square War Memorial at 11am. Following the service, the parade will march down North Street before congregating in the Town Hall Square for 11.00am. Representatives of public bodies and voluntary organisations, who wish to accompany the Town Mayor and Mayoress to the Church, are requested to assemble in Russell Street no later than 9.10am and to walk in procession in the order directed by the Parade Marshal. The order of service booklets will be available from Reverend Jonathon Pritchard of Keighley Shared Church or the Town Council office from 4 November. The Council would like to invite veterans young and old to the Drill Hall lunch for food and refreshments. This is a ticketed event only, but tickets can be obtained from the Civic Centre. Please contact the Town Clerk on 01535 618252 or alternatively contact Town Councillor Andrea Walker on 07747 685424.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Garden of Remembrance: Thursday 10 November 2016 at Town Hall Square from 10.55am. Remembrance Day: Sunday 13 November 2016, Keighley Shared Church and Town Hall Square. KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2016
KEIGHLEY CIVIC CENTRE TEA DANCE & EXERCISE CLASSES TEA DANCES: MONDAY AFTERNOONS 1.00 – 3.00PM DANCE EXERCISE CLASSES: WEDNESDAY & THURSDAYS 1.30 – 2.30PM
TEA DANCES
Forget Strictly Come Dancing and all its glitz and glamour and come and join us at the Civic Centre on Monday afternoons for a tea dance in one of the best halls in Yorkshire. Priced at £2.50, these dance sessions will only set you back 60p more than the typical cost of a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits. Dance classes last from 1-3pm, allowing a bit of time for shopping before travelling home. If you participate in most of the dances, you will have danced the equivalent of walking two miles. As well as a fun way to get fit, we promise a friendly atmosphere and good music, just contact Deryck on 01535 662121.
EXERCISE CLASSES
These dance classes have been based at the Keighley Civic Centre since June 2014 and provide dance and exercise to different pieces of music, moods and tempo. The classes are suitable for all ages and no previous experience is required. The venue is right in the middle of the town and classes are held on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Organisers recommend that you wear trousers and a t-shirt, as well as comfortable trainers for safety reasons. As the health and well-being of the community is an important focus for the Mayor, Cllr Shabir Ahmed and Town Clerk, Safia Kauser, have been extremely supportive of the classes. Classes run throughout the year and the fee per class is just £2! The autumn is always a good time to try something new! It's time to get fit and maybe reduce a dress size. It’s also a great opportunity to have fun, learn a new skill and make new friends. If you’re interested in taking part and would like to know more please ring Maureen Gibson on 01535 661012. Come and show us your moves!
KEIGHLEY BY THE SEA | 13
T OH I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE...
“Fab day! Glad I came all the way from Leeds as my kids loved it. Well done to all the organisers and thank you.” – Martine
he Great British seaside swept into Keighley town centre this summer and made a splash with a special three-day event hosted by Keighley Town Council and Keighley Business Improvement District (BID). Traditional seaside activities took over Church Green on Saturday and Sunday (30 and 31 July) and residents and visitors were treated to a pirate show, donkey rides and a Punch and Judy show. The Keighley Bus Museum Trust put on free vintage bus rides which started from Cavendish Street and drove around the town centre all day on Saturday. There was even an open top bus, allowing families to make the most of the lovely summer sunshine! On Monday 1 August, visitors enjoyed face painting and balloon modelling — and special guest Spongebob Squarepants made an appearance, even posing for photos! Spongebob also met Danny Mylo and Rosie Madison from Pulse 1. The radio presenters were hosting a special Yorkshire Day roadshow and made the day even more special with competitions, live music, performers and a visit from special guest Keighley Cougars’ head coach Paul March. The Airedale Shopping Centre was transformed into a beach throughout August with sandcastle building workshops for all the family. Keighley Town Council is looking forward to working with Keighley BID on future events. Keighley by the Sea took place from 30 July 2016 to Sunday 28th August 2016.
“Great event, kids loved it and I loved meeting Danny Mylo and Rosie Madison.” – Vicki
A great event for kids! Especially those who may not have had chance to experience life at the seaside. Thanks!” – Joanne
AUTUMN 2016 | KTCConnect
14 | GRANTS
TY I N U M M O C L A C O L R U O Y G N I D N FU
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Each year the Council agrees on how much it can set aside for grants and sponsorships and the good news is that this year saw an increase in the funding grants available for our community! If you’ve been thinking about applying for a grant, funding is available from 1 April and you can apply for a grant at any time.
eighley Town Council has three funding schemes in place. The Acorn Fund for grants of up to £250, the Oak Fund for grants from £250 to £1,000 and a fund for Grants/Sponsorship exceeding £1,000. Here we explain which one might be best for you.
Acorn Fund – for grants up to £250
This fund is intended for things which are unlikely to find another form of funding and are given to a person or group to help with their work in the community. There is no minimum value, but the maximum value awarded under this scheme is £250. To apply you will need to complete a form explaining what you are doing and why you need the money. If your application is part of a larger project, you will also need to complete a breakdown of money you expect to receive from other sources. You will then need to ask your Ward Town Councillor to complete a section to support your application. A member of the Council’s Finance and Audit Committee and a member of the Town Council will need to sign the form prior to the Town Clerk/RFO authorising the grant.
Oak Fund – for grants above £250 and less than £1,000
This fund is intended to be used when the amount of funding required is more than £250. The maximum awarded under this fund is £1,000. To apply for this, you will need to complete a more detailed form and, if this is part of a larger project, you will also need to provide details of other funding you may be expecting from elsewhere. If you are applying on behalf of a group or charity which requires you to publish accounts, you will be asked to provide a copy of your last accounts. If your group has been running for less than a year, you will be asked to provide one business and one personal reference. Applications for the Oak Fund will be considered at the monthly Finance and Audit committee meetings. These applications will need to be received by the office at least seven days before the meeting.
Grants/Sponsorship exceeding £1,000
Your group/organisation may wish to apply for a bigger pot of money. In this instance, the criteria from the Oak Fund will be applied and this form should be completed for any requests exceeding £1,000. Applications will be KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2016
GRANT AWARD CRITERIA
The Council is obliged to ensure that monies granted represent value for the people of Keighley and as such the following general principles are applied when evaluating grant applications. 1. O rganisations requesting grants are asked to submit a copy of their audited accounts for the last year along with their most recent accounts or bank statements covering the previous three months and a copy of their constitution. We do this because we have to ensure there is a genuine need. If, for instance, the organisation has a healthy bank balance then we believe those monies should be utilised first. We recognise that the level of audit to which the accounts will have been subjected to will vary according to the nature and scale of the organisation making the grant application. Applicants for the Acorn Fund are exempt from this criteria. 2. Recently established organisations which do not have audited accounts, should not be discouraged from applying, but should provide a financial statement regarding their proposed budget instead. Applicants must also provide one business and one personal reference if their organisation has been set-up in the last 12 months. 3. Requests will only be considered from local organisations or local branches of national organisations where evidence of local involvement can be provided. This is important as we are under an obligation to ensure that grants/sponsorships are beneficial to the local community. 4. Organisations applying for funds should identify the specific use for the grant and outline the residents who would benefit from the grant. We need to know what you intend to spend the money on, to ensure it represents value for money and provides a real benefit to the community of Keighley. 5. In the case of sponsorship, the applicant agrees to ensure that the event is promoted as being sponsored by Keighley Town Council. We ask this in order that the contribution of the Council is recognised. 6. I n cases where applicants are successful, they will be required to provide a short written report of the award on the outcome and what has been achieved through spending the money. We do this so we can show that we are bringing benefits to the community. 7. T he Council takes its responsibilities seriously and would not make a grant to an organisation that could not demonstrate that it acts in accordance with best practice in relation to equality and fairness. The Council seeks to minimise the potential for any discrimination in any form. 8. It is generally seen as positive that applicants are seeking funding from other sources (match funding). This demonstrates that the applicants are not solely reliant on the Council for an award and are actively seeking funds from other sources. reviewed by the Finance and Audit committee, which may make a recommendation to the next full Council meeting to award the grant/ sponsorship request.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for a grant, please download and complete the application form under the Grants section of www.keighley.gov.uk. Applications are also available on request from the Town Clerk's office. Please complete the sections in the application form as fully as possible and pay particular attention to the award criteria in the previous section. Your grant application will be treated as a public document and you are therefore advised not to include any sensitive information which may threaten the security of your organisation or individuals linked to the organisation. An example would be the inclusion of bank details.
HOW WE PROCESS THE GRANT APPLICATION OR DONATION REQUEST
The application/request will be placed on the agenda for consideration by members of the Finance and Audit Committee. They will decide the application based on the information provided and may decide to: • Grant the application/request • Reject the application/request • Grant the application/request for a reduced amount • Request further information • Recommend the application/request for approval to Full Council (for grants exceeding £1,000) You can attend the meeting at which your application/request will be determined, however, you must inform the Town Clerk three days before in accordance with our
GRANTS / CELEBRATIONS | 15
Standing Orders. If Members wish, they may with the permission of the Chairman, ask questions to clarify any points on the application form. All our meetings are open to the public and press except when confidential, in which case, the public will be excluded from those agenda items. Discussion of grant applications will almost always be in public.
WHAT WE WILL DO AFTER A DECISION IS MADE
When a decision is made you will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible. This is usually by letter or email so that we have a record and so that a decision is communicated as quickly as possible. If your grant/request is approved, we aim to send a cheque to the person nominated on the application form after the next Finance and Audit or Town Council meeting.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE AWARD
The Council wishes to ensure that monies are spent wisely and that community benefit is tracked, we therefore require applicants for grants to note the following: 1. Successful applicants must provide receipts or other evidence of expenditure to the Town Clerk/RFO within six months on completion of the grant award. They should show that funds have been used for the purpose specified in the application. 2. A cknowledgments of financial support received from the Council will be required on documentation and any promotional material literature or other media. Successful applicants should agree to: • Acknowledge KTC as a funder/partner in the media • Display KTC logo on publicity material • Agree to any reasonable joint publicity KTC may require • Provide an article for KTC Connect • Give permission for use of photographs in the media • Provide a statement or report of how the money has been used or a presentation (at an agreed date) • Memorandums of agreement and feedback forms will be sent to the successful applicants for completion 3. If the organisation ceases to exist for any reason prior to spending the grant, or fails to spend the monies within 12 months of the award, the Council may ask for all or part of the monies to be returned. Should you have any questions please contact the Town Council on 01535 618252 or email townclerk@Keighley.gov.uk.
Grant Budgets Agreed 2016/17 Acorn Fund – £30,000 Oak Fund – £30,000 Sponsorship – £30,000
Grants Awarded 2016/17
Listed are some of the organisations that have benefited from KTC grants schemes:
Friends of Park Wood Keighley Healthy Living Mirpur Cricket Club Keighley RZM Cricket Club The Men of Worth Project Community Cougars Foundation The Sunflower Allotment Society Keighley In Bloom Keighley Festival Friends of Eastwood PTA
£150 £215 £250 £250 £250 £750 £778 £1,000 £1,000 £1,000
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY Commemorative events were held in Keighley on April 28 to mark International Workers' Memorial Day. At Cliffe Castle Park, people gathered to watch the planting of a commemorative cherry tree, which was planted near the main museum entrance by Keighley Trades Council. Councillors, unionists and pupils from the town's Holy Family School were among those who gathered in the park. Later in the morning, the day was also commemorated at the Town Hall Square, where there is a garden dedicated to Keighley man Stephen Allen and other people tragically killed in the workplace. Town chaplain, Rev Dr Jonathan Pritchard, said: "International Workers' Memorial Day is a day for remembering those people killed at work. This is an important issue as any of us could be affected — and many already are.” Former Town Mayor, Councillor Javaid Akhtar joined others for a one-minute silence that was held at noon in the Town Hall Square. This was followed by a service of thanksgiving and dedication, led by Reverand Jonathan Pritchard. Among those present was Keighley woman Judith Allen, whose son Steven — a construction worker — died while working on a Bradford building site. The former Holy Family pupil was just 23-years-old when he died. "It will be the tenth anniversary of his death next year but things don't get any easier," she said. “I never knew about the international memorial day until after we'd lost Steven, but I believe it’s really important that we think about this and continue to raise awareness of the issue.” The Workers’ Memorial Garden in Town Hall Square was opened by Keighley Town Council in 2011.
KEIGHLEY YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARDS The Keighley young achievers awards were held on Friday 15 July to recognise the achievement of young children in our primary schools. Organised by Keighley Town Council for the last 13 years, the ceremony celebrates local children’s outstanding achievements and rewards them for inspiring others by going beyond what is expected of them. Participating schools nominated an individual child or a group of children for making a special effort during the last 12 months. Pictured with Keighley Town Mayor, Shabir Ahmed, are the proud children collecting their awards. After the ceremony, the children were given a talk about the history of the council and the Mayor’s municipal old Borough Council. The children also had the opportunity to appreciate the civic regalia on display. AUTUMN 2016 | KTCConnect
K E I G H L E Y TOW N C O U N C I L PROUDLY PRESENTS...
FRIDAY 14TH TO SUNDAY 16TH OCTOBER CHURCH GREEN, KEIGHLEY
Craft Beer & Cider Festival Food & Craft Stalls Live Music Stage with Oompah Band Family Entertainment & Children’s Rides Join the event on Facebook at Discover Keighley WWW.DISCOVERKEIGHLEY.CO.UK
WWW.KEIGHLEY.GOV.UK
In association with: