Ktc Autumn 2017 issue 4

AUTUMN 2017

NEWS FROM KEIGHLEY TOWN COUNCIL DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR

WARM WELCOME FOR OLYMPIANS Civic Centre reception

KEIGHLEY IN BLOOM

Judges visit our town

Plus

WHAT’S ON KEIGHLEY

Events coming soon

Mayor’s Charitable Trust • Allotment news • New book exchange • Annual accounts

KEIGHLEY TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS 2017/18 2017-2018: Keighley Town Mayor – Cllr Mohammed Nazam; Deputy Town Mayor – Cllr Amjid Ahmed Cllr Martin Walker

Cllr Nasar Ali

Cllr Luke Maunsell

Cllr Samuel Fletcher

Cllr Javaid Akhtar

Cllr Gulfraz Hussain

Cllr Christopher Herd

Cllr Amjad Zaman

Cllr Andrea Walker

Cllr Barry Thorne

Cllr John Kirby

Cllr Sohail Zubair

Cllr Julie Adams

Cllr Kaneez Akhtar

Cllr Fulzar Ahmed

Cllr Gary Pedley

Choudhry A Mahmood

Cllr Shazad Mahmood

Cllr Philip Shaw

Chaudhury Tariq Mahmood

Cllr Anayat Mohammed

Cllr Emanuele Bernardini

Cllr Michael Westerman

Cllr Mohammed Nazam

Cllr Amjid Ahmed

Cllr Peter Corkindale

Cllr Ronald Beale

Cllr Shabir Ahmed

Cllr Mark Curtis

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

Guardhouse 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

Emanuele Bernardini was elected via by-election on the 18th August 2017.

For information on how to contact individual councillors, please contact KTC at the address below or call 01535 618252.

Details can also be found on the Keighley Town Council website www.keighley.gov.uk or by emailing townclerk@keighley.gov.uk

You can now check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/keighleytowncnl

Council address: Keighley Town Council, Keighley Civic Centre, North Street, Keighley, BD21 3RZ

Contents | 3

Comment

W

elcome to the autumn 2017 edition of your KTC newsletter, keeping you up-to-date with what’s going on at Keighley Town Council.

In this edition, we bring you up to speed with what we’ve been doing including the reception we recently hosted for our Special Olympians at the Civic Centre.

It’s been a busy summer in Keighley and we take a look at the events we’ve been taking part in including Yorkshire in Bloom, St George’s Day, Yorkshire Day and Heritage Day. Plus there’s news on our young achievers, the Mayor’s Charitable Trust, how Keighley Town Council has been helping its communities and much, much more!

We hope you enjoy your autumn 2017 newsletter. Please get in touch if you have any feedback or an idea for a future feature by emailing townclerk@keighley.gov.uk.

KTC Connect will be delivered to your door twice a year, but you can also read it online by visiting www.keighley.gov.uk/documents.

Safia Kauser Editor & Town Clerk

Contents EDITOR Safia Kauser Town Clerk/RFO Email: townclerk@keighley.gov.uk SUB-EDITOR Jackie Annett

CONTRIBUTORS Lee Senior Allotments Officer Joe Ashton Deputy Town Clerk

Publisher Keighley Town Council Keighley Civic Centre North Street, Keighley, BD21 3RZ Telephone: 01535 618252

04

YOUR Keighley Council news

12

KEIGHLEY ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

13

YORKSHIRE DAY

15

Read about the East Morton book exchange, Yorkshire in Bloom judging and the Friends of Westfell clean up day.

08

We look forward to Remembrance Day and Christmas in Keighley.

Take a look at what Keighley Town Council has been spending its money on this year.

MAGAZINE PRODUCTION & PRINTING Carolyne Griffin The Magazine Production Company

11

What a day we had in Keighley on August 1 celebrating Yorkshire Day.

COMMUNITY ROUND-UP

All the latest community news including East Morton’s new shop and how we’ve been recognising our young achievers.

Front page photo taken by Safia Kauser Information correct at time of going to press. May be subject to change. All rights reserved and is the property of the publisher. © Keighley Town Council 2017. 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 Town Council does not accept any responsibility or liability for any of the services or products provided by the advertisers.

WHAT'S ON

ST GEORGE'S DAY There were festivities, food and fun on the weekend of St George’s Day in April.

AUTUMN 2017 | KTCConnect

4 | council news

Get lost in a book in East Morton

Residents in East Morton will be able to put their feet up with a good book thanks to the Morton Village Society’s new telephone box, which will double as a book exchange.

The society is currently organising repairs to ensure the box is weatherproof but it is hoped the kiosk will be ready for residents to make full use of this winter.

“Interest in retaining the box was expressed initially under the BT Adopt a Box scheme so we are delighted that it has now come into village ownership,” a spokesperson for the society said. “Following the suggestion of using the box as a book exchange, a trial began which has proved that it can be used in this way. Some repair work will be required which is planned for the coming autumn and winter. This should make the kiosk totally weatherproof and fit for purpose.”

Keighley Town Council’s Allotments Officer, Lee Senior, said: “This is a fine example of organisations working together at grass roots level. We initially preserved the box and carried out some repairs such as replacing the broken glass before painting it. Now we wish the village society all the best in taking it forward with their book exchange scheme.”

Celebrating Yorkshire in Bloom

Yorkshire in Bloom judges Phil Young and Beatrice Myers visited Keighley this summer to take a look at the flowers in the Town Hall Square.

It’s the first time the square has been individually entered into the Yorkshire in Bloom competition, although the square has always been judged as part of the overall entry in previous years.

Judges met Keighley Town Council contractor Steve Thorpe who has been working all year round to make sure the flowers look their best. Members of Keighley town Council later took judges on a tour of the town, following a route put together by Keighley in Bloom organisers.

Rent increase for allotments

The Town Council’s Allotments & Landscapes Committee has decided to increase allotment rents from the beginning of April 2018 – the first increase in five years.

Tenants should have already received written notification of the increase, which is necessary so that the council can continue to make improvements to the site.

Despite the necessary increase, renting an allotment in Keighley still remains extremely good value for money, as you can see from the breakdown of costs below: Allotment costs Charge for a full plot including water: Charge for a smaller plot including water:

£60 £40

Those eligible for a discounted plot will still qualify for a reduction as long as they can provide recent proof of eligibility. The cost for a discounted plot will be £40.

The charge for renting an allotment for the current year (2017-18) is unaffected and any plot holders with any questions should email the Allotment Officer at: lee.senior@bradford.gov.uk KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2017

Improvements at Utley Allotment Site

The Town Council is continuing to invest in the town’s allotment sites and has recently installed 100 metres of new green Zebex type fencing at the Utley Allotment Site.

This work means the fencing programme at Utley has now been completed and plot holders will be able to benefit from increased security.

Allotments Officer, Lee Senior, said: “This latest investment in our site at Utley reaffirms our commitment to further improving all our allotment sites.

"This last tranche of fencing at Utley, along with the previous path improvement works, means plot holders will now benefit from improved security for many years to come.

The plot holders were hugely in favour of the work being done and many have thanked the council for this investment, during these difficult times within the public sector.”

FRIENDS OF WESTFELL CLEAN UP DAY

Scouts, cubs and beavers tackled the weeds of Westfell earlier this year by sprucing up a patch of Keighley green space. The project attracted around 100 people including children from the 6th Keighley (Oakworth) and 1st Keighley (Fell Lane) scout groups who joined up with the Friends of Westfell and local people to tidy up the land.

Tasks included weeding, planting, spreading wood chippings along the wellused footpath, maintaining animal habitats and picking up litter.

Community development worker Pip Gibson said she was overwhelmed at the amazing turnout and the exceptional effort on the night. “We had all ages from Oakworth and Fell Lane Beavers, Cubs and Scout leaders, parents, local residents and ward councillors,” she said. “Special thanks to Richard Hancock and Robert Michael Payne for helping pull this together and to Yorkshire Housing for donating £100 towards refreshments and plants.”

council news | 5

Let’s welcome our new Mayor and Deputy Mayor Councillor Mohammed Nazam was confirmed as the new Town Mayor for 2017/18 at the annual meeting of the council, which took place on May 18.

Councillor Nazam joined Keighley Town Council almost a decade ago and was first elected to represent the town council's Highfield Ward in 2007. Cllr Nazam, 39, was born and brought up in Keighley and educated at Greenhead School before attending Keighley College where he gained a diploma in social care. He worked as a hygiene manager in the food production industry for 10 years and for the last seven years he has worked as a senior caseworker in the office of former Conservative MP Kris Hopkins.

Cllr Nazam said this role had given him a good insight into the needs and concerns of the local community. "It's a very rewarding job, especially when you're able to help someone and get a positive outcome," he said.

Cllr Nazam is married with two sons and two daughters and the Mayoress for the year will be his wife, Shamim Akhtar.

One of Cllr Nazam’s main objectives for his mayoral term of office is to lay the foundations for the council's successful participation in the National Association of Local Council's Award Scheme. This initiative is designed to celebrate the success of the UK's best local councils and provide a framework to help all local councils to improve and develop.

Meanwhile, former councillor Ian Dermondy was elected as Deputy Town Mayor but has had to step down for personal reasons. Councillor Amjid Ahmed, who represents the Highfield Ward and has served on the Town Council for the last six years, replaces him.

Councillor Amjid said: “I am happy to be elected as the Deputy Town Mayor and I hope to work alongside the Mayor and all councillors. This is a crucial time for Keighley Council to work with the principal authority, Bradford Council, to negotiate a transfer of assets or services due to cutbacks.”

Emergency and Flood Plan update

As reported in the last KTC Connect newsletter, work is being undertaken by Bradford Council, Keighley Town Council and local community groups to develop an emergency and flood plan which will outline what action to take in the event of an emergency such as flooding. Discussions are being held regarding the purchase and storage of emergency equipment such as radios and sandbags and the plan has been updated with all the town councillor contact details for each ward they cover. Councillor Peter Corkindale has replaced former councillor Ian Dermondy and will be working with officers at Bradford Council to develop the plan and further updates will be reported in the next issue of the newsletter.

Warm welcome for National Special Olympics Team

Keighley Town Council held a civic reception for members of the team that took part in the National Special Olympics in Sheffield on Thursday August 24. Held at the Civic Centre, the event was organised to celebrate the athletes’ achievements after the team won 51 medals including 12 gold and 17 silver. The team was made up of 60 athletes and coaches from Bradford who formed part of the Yorkshire and Humberside squad and competed at the 2017 Special Olympics National Summer Games in Sheffield.

Town Mayor Mohammed Nazam said: “It was a delight to host the reception for our Special Olympic athletes from the Keighley area who have made the town proud. I’d also like to thank everyone who helped raise the funds needed to assist people to take part and those who volunteered to help out at the event.”

Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure (BDSL) raised more than £25,000 to help send the team to the games. Dean Carroll, BDSL Manager, said: “All the athletes from the Bradford delegation represented their region and the city of Bradford with pride. The atmosphere at the games, from the wet but marvellous opening ceremony to the closing party disco, was out of this world and something we will never forget.

The athletes showed us all what it’s possible to achieve with a little hard work and dedication.”

Meanwhile, Keighley’s former Town Mayor Cllr Shabir Ahmed presented BDSL’s Special Olympics Team with a cheque of £2,315.84 raised during his mayoral term from 2016 to 2017, which has already helped to pay for some of the costs associated with sending the athletes to the National Summer Games in August. The team is now looking forward to March 2019 where they hope to be part of the Special Olympic GB Squad competing in the World Special Olympic games in Abu Dhabi, United Emirates.

Mayor shows support for Manorlands hospice

The Mayor’s chosen charity for 2017 and 2018 is Manorlands Sue Ryder hospice in Oxenhope. The hospice, situated in West Yorkshire on the northern edge of Oxenhope village, offers palliative care and complementary therapy to support patients with life-limiting conditions.

Town Mayor Mohammed Nazam told Keighley residents that there are two reasons why he feels it’s important to support this hospice. "My mother in law who died in 2010 spent the last four weeks of her life at Manorlands,” Cllr Nazam said. “She was not only cared for at the hospice, but looked after by its team outside the hospice. There is a lot of good palliative work that Manorlands does beyond its base, which I want to promote within all communities, including the ethnic minority community."

If you’d like to help with fundraising for this worthwhile cause or make a donation, please get in touch with the Town Mayor Councillor Nazam on 07912 076071. Cheques can be made payable to: Keighley Town Mayor’s Charity.

AUTUMN 2017 | KTCConnect

6 | COMMUNITY news

Civic Centre Public Consultation update

After the recent public consultation was carried out to determine the future of the Keighley Civic Centre, full council was asked in May this year to consider a retaining options appraisal document and a business plan and exit strategy. Both documents were put forward by the Civic Centre and Strategy Committee for full council consideration.

Retaining Ownership Options Appraisal This document contained three recommendations: 1. T o continue and expand discussions with third parties about managing or leasing the Civic Centre 2. Secure short-term occupiers to relieve financial pressure on the operational budget 3. Ensure additional capacity to move these options forward

Business Plan & Exit Strategy This document contained two recommendations: 1. T o place the Civic Centre on the market for sale 2. Secure short-term occupiers to relieve financial pressure on the operational budget These options and recommendations have been discussed at great length by members and consideration has also been given to third parties who may be interested in managing or leasing the Civic Centre. The council concluded that recommendation one is implemented ‘To continue and expand discussions with third parties about managing or leasing the Civic Centre’ with a timescale of 31 December 2017 for discussions to cease. if it isn't resolved by this date, the council has recommended that the Business Plan and Exit Strategy should be reconsidered in the new year. The council also agreed a strategy for the interim period to secure short-term office occupiers to relieve financial pressure on the operational budget.

Discussions are currently ongoing with third parties about managing or leasing the Civic Centre.

One of the parties includes the police, who are currently looking to move out of their premises in Airedale House and relocate to a town centre location. A meeting took place with the Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson and senior officers from West Yorkshire Police and a subsequent estates visit was carried out in August. The council is currently waiting for further updates on this matter.

Any interested parties who wish to manage or lease the Keighley Civic Centre building on a long-term agreement should contact Rob Wadsworth on 0115 855 9983 or 07534 969154.

New MP John Grogan settles into the Civic Centre

MP for the Keighley and Ilkley constituency, John Grogan, who was recently elected in the June parliamentary elections, has moved into his new office at the Civic Centre.

Commenting on his recent electoral success, Mr Grogan said: “I would like to thank the people of this constituency for electing me. I look forward to representing the area over the term of this parliament – however long that may be. If you have any issues you would like to bring to my attention, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I am holding regular surgeries in Keighley. Please ring the office to arrange an appointment.”

You can contact Mr Grogan by emailing john.grogan.mp@parliament. uk or by calling 01535 681433.

His address is: Keighley Civic Centre, North Street, Keighley, BD21 3RZ.

MP Supports Aire Valley Against Incineration Campaign Group

Following the Town Council Planning Committee's decision to object to the final plans for the proposed energy from waste facility (Aire Valley incinerator) on the former Gas Works at Marley, the planning application has since been granted by Bradford Council.

The Secretary of State subsequently reviewed Bradford Council’s decision for communities and local government and decided not to challenge it. The Environment Agency is now responsible for deciding if an environment permit should be granted to allow the plant to operate.

The campaign group, Aire Valley Against Incineration, has lodged an application for a Judicial Review of the Council’s decision to grant planning permission, which is supported by MP John Grogan, who believes there are three ways to stop the proposed Keighley waste to energy plan. “One is by judicial review,” Mr Grogan said. “Basically, a court could decide that the planning approval was flawed because not all relevant information has been considered by the committee.

The Aire Valley Against Incineration campaign has raised over £25,000 to fund the court case. They are now waiting to hear whether the judge will decide that there is a strong enough argument for the case to be heard.

“Secondly, the company concerned must get permits from the environment agency to build the plant. The whole process – which is yet to start – can take up to a year. The agency recently turned down an application for another incinerator at this stage. I am carefully studying that case and the wider implications.

KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2017

“Thirdly, the Government could change its approach.

A recent independent report concluded that the nation does not need any more incinerator capacity to deal with residual waste of any kind. Moreover, they were of the opinion that the building of more waste to energy plants would lead to a perverse incentive not to recycle in order to provide fuel for the plants. I am now a member of the House of Commons Select Committee on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I will use this platform to try and persuade the Government to change its policy. If they do so it is doubtful whether private investors would fund the building of plants such as that proposed in Keighley.”

COMMUNITY NEWS | 7

Councillor Michael Westerman, Chair of the Town Council Watch and Transport Committee, talks to Inspector Khalid Khan about his daily challenges…

Question: Tell me about your background…

Khalid Khan: I’ve been a police officer for 26 years. I first got promoted to sergeant in 2002 and I worked in Keighley for two years as a response sergeant and custody sergeant before moving to Shipley. I was promoted to inspector in September last year and have been in my current post for a year.

Question: What major changes have you noticed taking place during your career?

Khalid Khan: Keighley was a fully operational division known as Airedale and North Bradford, however over time we became one big district. Previously, neighbourhood policing was at its peak thanks to an increased number of officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). However, when austerity measures kicked in some very difficult decisions had to be made as the force had to carry out millions of pounds worth of cutbacks. This had a huge impact, but over the last 12 months we’ve started to develop neighbourhood policing again with ward officer teams working alongside PCSOs and our partners.

Police numbers aren’t at their previous level but we are moving in the right direction.

Question: As an officer from a minority background, would you like to see more officers from a Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) background in the force?

Khalid Khan: Our force is making a great effort to ensure we have BME representation to match our local demographic. A positive recruitment campaign has been running for the last two years to encourage fairer representation from ethnic communities.

Question: I’ve head that your style of policing is different from previous inspectors?

Khalid Khan: My background is in neighbourhood policing and I am very keen to ensure that I can build positive relations with both the public and our partners. My aim is to engage with our communities and work with our partners to build trust and instill confidence in our communities. We have set up street surgeries in each of our six wards to show that we are listening and engaging with our communities and we work closely with Bradford Council, youth services and local councillors, acting upon any concerns raised. We often work with local schools to ensure our youth are not led down the wrong path, attend community events and meetings to build relationships and proactively target criminality to ensure our communities are safe.

Question: If you could give a message to the public, what would it be?

Khalid Khan: We are listening to you, our priorities are to tackle criminality head on with the issues that you have raised. We have set up Operations to deal with drug crime to ensure our streets are clean, bad driving to ensure our roads are safe, Proactive CSE operations to ensure our children are safe and targeting criminals to ensure our homes are safe. Our Street Surgeries are a means of talking and listening to you and putting actions in place with our partners that are effecting our communities.

Keighley Armed Forces Day Keighley residents came out in force to celebrate the town’s fourth Armed Forces Day in June, organized by Keighley Armed Forces Association (KAFA) and in partnership with Keighley Town Council.

Hundreds of people came along to recognise our veterans for the sacrifices they have made and enjoy the free entertainment laid on at Marley Playing Fields.

KAFA member and Riddlesden resident Rosie Clarke told Keighley News that it was a fantastic day out, helped by the lovely weather.

“It's been a really successful day and the weather has helped us,” Ms Clarke said. “It's the first year we've had caterers on site. We've been planning the day since July last year. Anyone who wants to help KAFA can contact us via our website

www.kafa.org.uk or Facebook page @ KeighleyArmedForcesAssociation. We could always do with more volunteers."

Visitors were able to watch a Spitfire fighter fly past, cavalry and Second World War home guard re-enactments and enjoy a mini funfair, refreshments and live music. Keighley Town Council will continue to support Armed Forces Day with a contribution of £2,500 for the next two years.

Emanuele Bernardini represents Guardhouse ward

Emanuele Bernardini has been elected to represent Keighley Town Council’s Guardhouse ward following a by-election on August 18. Cllr Bernardini replaces former councillor Ian Dermondy who stepped down earlier this year.

Mr Bernardini has lived in the Guardhouse area for nearly 10 years with his partner and three children. “Since 2009 I’ve worked for Bradford Council in Adult Community Services, currently as a Homecare Senior coordinating care for older people and others needing support,” he said. “I would like to create a more open town council which ensures voluntary groups get the help they need and offers support to young people who are out of work and education. I will also campaign for better community involvement to fight poverty and strive for extra support for elderly and vulnerable people. I will be available to all in Guardhouse, regardless of their political persuasion.”

You can contact your new councillor by emailing: cllr.bernardini@keighley.gov.uk or calling 07943 830588.

AUTUMN 2017 | KTCConnect

8 | KEIGHLEY ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

Keighley Town Council ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 2016 – MARCH 2017 TOWN MAYOR

DEPUTY MAYOR

Cllr Shabir Ahmed

Cllr Barry Thorne Committees and Chairpersons

Allotments & Landscapes

Civic Centre

Complaints

Events & Leisure

Civic Centre Strategy

Finance & Audit

Human Resources

Policies & Governance

Planning

Watch & Transport

Cllr John Kirby

Cllr Amjad Zaman

Cllr Nazam

Cllr Luke Maunsell

Cllr Mohammad Anayat

Cllr Javaid Akhtar

Cllr Gary Pedley

Cllr Ian Dermondy

Cllr Ian Dermondy

Cllr Michael Westerman

Cllr Julie Adams

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL Cllr Mark Curtis

Cllr Anayat Mohammed

Cllr Fulzar Ahmed

Cllr Samuel Fletcher

Cllr Mohammed Nazam

Cllr Amjid Ahmed

Cllr Chris Herd

Cllr Gary Pedley

Cllr Shabir Ahmed

Cllr Gulfraz Hussain

Cllr Philip Shaw

Cllr Javaid Akhtar

Cllr Tufail Khan

Cllr Barry Thorne

Cllr Kaneez Akhtar

Cllr John Kirby

Cllr Andrea Walker

Cllr Nasar Ali

Cllr Chaudhury Tariq Mahmood

Cllr Michael Westerman

Cllr Ronald Beale

Cllr Chouhdry A Mahmood

Cllr Amjad Zaman

Cllr Peter Corkindale

Cllr Shazad Mahmood

Cllr Sohail Zubair

Cllr Ian Dermondy

Cllr Luke Maunsell

Cllr Martin Walker (part)

TOWN CLERK/RFO

Officers

Ms Safia Kauser

DEPUTY TOWN CLERK (from November 2016)

Mr Joseph Ashton (part)

SECURITY OFFICER

Mr Harry Plunkett

FACILITIES CARETAKER

Mr Steve Finnegan

ALLOTMENTS OFFICER

Mr Lee Senior

MINUTE TAKERS

Mrs Dianne Duckworth & Mrs Nichola Powell

Former Deputy Town Clerk (part to July 2016) Ms Rebecca Collier

Keighley Town Council'S aims for 2017 /2018 • To continue to manage the town’s assets efficiently • 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 to 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 work in partnership with other organisations and help bring events to the town centre • To play a lead role in the decision making of the area • To make decisions for the benefit of Keighley • To use new legislation to the benefit of the town and be actively involved in prioritising the needs of the parish and its people • To continue to provide civic events and other events to Keighley • To develop the Keighley Community Emergency and Flood Plan • To actively engage work with BMDC on the New Deal Initiative KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2017

keighley council's GRANTS, SPONSORSHIPS AND BUSINESS SUPPORT

£12,095 has been given in funding through the Acorn and Oak Grant schemes to local schools, clubs and voluntary organisations throughout the parish. We've also awarded £5,968 to Friends of Holden Park, £4,510 to Burgess Field, £6,761 to East Morton Community Shop, £10,000 to the Highfield Community Association, £1,000 to Community Cougars Foundation, £1,000 to the Friends of Eastwood PTA, £1,000 to Keighley Festival, £1,000 to Friends of Holden Park and £1,000 to Residents of Grouse Street and £250 annual funding to support Christmas Day free bus service.

ANNUAL ACCOUNTS | 9

Cllr Shabir Ahmed Town Mayor’s Report 2016/17 2016 started as a difficult year for the council with the resignation of two deputy clerks in a short space of time, placing unforeseen pressure on the council office. We also received a resignation from a councillor mid-term, which triggered a by-election to elect another councillor.

Despite these pressures, the council received a good internal and external audit report. This year the council precept remained at 0% and the council managed to budget for Community Development Workers who started work in June 2017.

The future of the Civic Centre is still to be determined and a public consultation has been undertaken to establish public opinion. Talks continue to be held with Bradford District Council on whether Keighley Town Council should take responsibility for more services and assets and we’ll let you know when we have an update.

Since the Town Council has taken over Keighley Town Hall Square, improvements can be seen and the beautiful flowers are a credit to the Town Council’s contractor Steve Thorpe.

One of the main objectives for this year is training, and it’s great that some councillors have already completed the training course for Safeguarding Children from Sexual Exploitation.

In partnership with the Armed Forces Association, the town celebrated Keighley Armed Forces day, which provides an opportunity to thank the members of our

armed forces who serve our country. The Town Council also supported the Royal British Legion by helping to organise Remembrance Sunday, paying respect to those who protect us.

The council has also held many other successful events throughout the year such as the OktoberFest, Keighley by the Sea/Yorkshire Day, Annual Pensioners Christmas Lunches and St George's day celebrations. All events were well organised and the success of the events is a credit to the Events Committee and the Council office.

The council currently has nine committees but this year the council has agreed to merge the Civic Centre Committee and the Civic Centre Strategy Committee. The new Community Development Committee was also agreed by full council.

As Mayor, I've attended many council committee meetings and chaired the Town Council meetings, I would like to thank the Transdev management and my colleagues for their support and flexibility which has enabled me to undertake my civic duties and attend the majority of these council meetings.

I have attended more than 60 events as Town Mayor including civic events, charity events, religious and remembrance ceremonies along with other various events throughout the town and the region. I visited Our Lady of Victories Catholic School, where I had the pleasure of inaugurating a school council mayor. I

also visited Worth Valley Primary School and joined in the celebrations for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth's 90th Birthday. At every event I attended, people were always welcoming and friendly.

My fellow Councillor Ian Dermondy and I, along with local residents, have been supporting Laurie Mannly and his guide dog Umber by raising money for the Guide Dogs West and North Yorkshire Team by participating in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk. Laurie Mannly has raised more than £5,000. The money will fund training for a puppy called Keighley, aptly named after our town.

This year we chose Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure as the Mayor’s Charity.

This cause supports disabled athletes who are taking part in the Special Olympics in the summer and I’m really pleased to announce that a total of £2,315.84 has been raised during my year.

Keighley is a wonderful multicultural town with inspiring people. In my opinion, the communities in Keighley integrate well and by continuing to work together we can carry on improving the town for everyone.

Councillor Shabir Ahmed Town Mayor 2016/17

Achievements in 2016 and 2017

• Embedding new policies, procedures and good governance into working practices in accordance with the internal and external audit recommendations • Ensuring that Keighley Town Mayor’s Charitable Trust board is active • Training for all new elected members of the council • To conduct a review of the Town Council Committee structure • To determine the future of the Keighley Civic Centre through public consultation and engagement • Continuing ‘New Deal’ initiative talks with the principal authority (devolvement of services) • Management of allotments • Specialist training undertaken for Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) by councillors and staff • Creation of an Urban Woodland Scheme for Guardhouse • Maintenance and management of the Town Hall Square Garden • Installation of the defibrillator at the Civic Centre and continued support for the scheme in partnership with the NHS • Hosting the emergency and flood planning meetings with Bradford Council • Continuation of the Emergency and Flood Plan for Keighley • Responsibility for grit bins, provision and filling resulting in an increase in the total number available in the parish • Actively engaged with businesses by creating new links and partnerships • Installation of a CCTV for Lawkholme area in partnership with Bradford Council • Staged events such as St George’s Day, Keighley by the Sea (in partnership with BID), OktoberFest, Remembrance Day and Pensioners’ lunches • Hosted the annual achiever awards scheme including school visits to Council Chamber

Active partnership support

• T he council has organised events to raise funds for Royal British Legion and Army Cadets • Civic heads have attended village galas throughout the parish • Coordinated and supported series of street markets, events and anniversaries • Renewal of the Christmas lights in Town Hall Square in partnership with Bradford Council • Provided banners to promote events in Keighley • Christmas Day Bus Service partnership funding support • Supporting neighbourhood forums across the parish • Active role at community centres across the parish AUTUMN 2017 | KTCConnect

10 | ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

Keighley Town Council Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 March 2017 OPERATING INCOME 2015/16

INCOME

2016/17 £

478,278

Bradford Council Support Grant

111,554

Other Management & Administration

Magazine & Quality Council Requirements Allotments

Civic Centre TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE (running costs) Finance & Audit

Special Projects

Grants

Members Allowances

Staffing Costs

Other Management & Administration Training Expenses

Remembrance Day

214

12

-14 34,811 6,484

£631,338

14,231

23,510

18,063

27,722

102,898

22,614 4,098 3,181

Magazine

10,855

Allotments

30,022

Human Resources Advisor Town Hall Square Garden

Events

Watch & Transport

2,500

22,890

16,999

4,029

Civic Centre

144,959

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

450,095

Gift shop, Police museum/forensics

1,524

Update on Internal Audit Reports

In the recent internal audit report issued by Veritau, the council's internal auditors, it was reported that in the last three years the council has sucessfully introduced and embedded new processes and procedures. These changes to the internal control enviroment were introduced as a result of addressing 50 recommendations in view of the Public Interest Report that was issued on the 5th November 2014 and the subsequent internal audit report issued in October 2014. Special thanks is given to the Responsible Financial Officer and Town Clerk Safia Kauser for this achievement who will continue to keep up the good work with the ongoing support of council officers and councillors.

KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2017

Opening Balance

388,486

Less Expenditure for year

450,095

Transfers to/from reserves

175,000

Plus Income for year

Precept Finance

GENERAL FUND ANALYSIS

CLOSING BALANCE

631,338

Debtors (Sales Ledger)

10,812

VAT Refunds

5,857

Prepayments & Accrued Income 30 Day Notice Account

569,729

394,729

CURRENT ASSETS

Stock

1,019,823

973 0

661,382

Petty Cash

250

TOTAL ASSETS Current Liabilities

treasurers account Accruals & Other creditors

679,274

12,808

6,660

receipts in advance

78

Total Assets Less Current Liabilities Long Term Liabilities

19,545

TOTAL ASSETS CONSIST OF General Fund

EM Reserves – Contingency

EM Reserves – Election Costs

659,729

0

Total Assets Less Long Term Liabilities

659,729 394,729

20,000

45,000

EM Reserves – New Deal initiative/ Support Grant

100,000

EM Reserves – Civic centre trading

20,000

EM Reserves – Civic Centre Building Maintenance

679,274

80,000 659,729

YORKSHIRE DAY – TOUR de YORKSHIRE | 11

Ey up – what a day!

K

eighley Town Council hosted a day of family fun to celebrate Yorkshire Day on Tuesday August 1 this year.

The Town Mayor of Keighley, Councillor Mohammed Nazam, opened the event at 10:00am with a ribbon cutting. Residents and visitors alike were welcome to attend and to have their photographs taken with the Mayor.

Despite the typical Yorkshire weather (including a mid-afternoon thunder storm!) the fun continued until 4:00pm, with free entry and free amusements all day.

Two face painters were on hand helping to transform the looks of younger visitors. In addition, there was an opportunity to get up close and personal with the ferrets of the Worth Valley Ferret Welfare charity. Sticking with the Yorkshire theme, Yorkshire flat caps manufactured locally were on sale (the Mayor is pictured on the right wearing an example!) along with Yorkshire Dales ice cream.

Other attractions included a bouncy castle, balloon modellers, a penalty shootout and a bungee trampoline. Early birds received white roses to take home as souvenirs from the day.

The Chairman of Keighley Town Council’s Events and Leisure Committee, Councillor Luke Maunsell, said: “We took great pride in celebrating our county and our town on the first day of August. I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who helped make the day possible”.

“We took great pride in celebrating our county and our town on the first day of August. I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who helped to make the day possible,” said Cllr Luke Maunsell.

Keighley featured at Stage Three of the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire on Sunday April 30. The riders rolled out of City Park in the heart of Bradford and headed towards Saltaire, then through Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley and Addingham, before continuing to Bolton Abbey and heading deeper into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. After Skipton and Silsden, the race entered Keighley at Riddlesden, traveling down towards the town

centre and then on to Haworth, before leaving Bradford for Calderdale and beyond.

In addition to the large number of spectators lining the streets, the race was watched around the world on television. Many organisations and individuals helped to decorate the route, including Keighley Town Council’s 500m of yellow and blue bunting and five welcome banners featuring the town’s coat of arms.

AUTUMN 2017 | KTCConnect

12 | WHAT'S ON KEIGHLEY

Garden of Remembrance and Remembrance Day The Garden of Remembrance service will take place as usual in the Town Hall Square at 10:55am followed by a two-minute silence at 11:00am on Thursday November 9 2017.

Remembrance Day will take place on Sunday November 12 and the parade will start from Russell Street at 9:30am before the service commences at Keighley Shared Church at 10:00am.

Town Mayor Mohammed Nazam and Mayoress Shamim Akhtar will attend the service at Keighley Shared Church, which will be followed by a two-minute silence and laying of wreaths at the Town Hall Square War Memorial at 11:00am.

Following the service, members of the parade will march down North Street before congregating at 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, should meet at Russell Street no later than 9:10am and follow instructions from the Parade Marshall. Order of service booklets will be available from Reverend Jonathon Pritchard of Keighley Shared Church or the Town Council office from November 6.

Veterans are invited to Drill Hall for lunch and refreshments, however entry will be granted on a ticket basis only. Tickets can be obtained from the Civic Centre, please contact the Town Clerk for further information on 01535 618252 or call councillor Andrea Walker on 07476 85424.

Serving up Christmas dinner for our pensioners

Keighley residents aged over 65 are invited to the annual Christmas Pensioners Lunch, which will run across two days on Tuesday December 12 and 13. The three-course meal will be followed by local schools singing in the Christmas choir as well as other festive fun.

This social event is only available to Keighley residents and you will be asked for proof of residency and identity when requesting tickets.

There are 100 places available and tickets can be obtained from the Town Clerk’s office on 01535 618252 or the Civic Centre on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between 1pm and 3pm.

Lighting up Keighley this Christmas The date for the Christmas lights switch on is set for Sunday November 26. Further details are not available at this stage but we will bring you the information as soon as we have it! Keep an eye on www.discoverkeighley.co.uk for updates.

KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2017

PUBLIC Town Meeting

10:30am Wednesday Dec 13 2017 Will be held at Keighley Civic Centre North Street, Keighley

UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF COUNCILLOR MOHAMMED NAZAM

• Do you want to know what your Town Council is doing?

• Have you got any questions or suggestions?

• Are there any local issues which are causing you concern?

• You will have the opportunity to quiz your Town Councillors on any concerns or queries you have on the future of Keighley Light refreshments will be provided.

Date of upcoming public meetings Annual Town Meeting: Thursday May 3 2018 at 7:00pm

along and So why not come your Town find out what for you?

Council IS doing For more information please contact the Town Clerk's office on 01535 618252/3

COMMUNITY ROUND-UP | 13

funding for new East Morton community shop The new community shop in East Morton has moved a step closer to opening its doors. The Shop Manage­ment Committee is in the process of turning the disused former toilet block into a shop which will benefit the entire community.

Backed by a successful community share scheme, the building has recently been transformed with a brand new door and three new windows. Building work has included the removal of old fittings and urinals, waterproofing the roof and adding a bit of space to the former toilet block.

The Town Council has agreed £6,761 of funding in principle towards this project which will help pay for some of the electrical and plumbing work, a ceiling, some of the signage, a shop counter and shelving.

Residents can buy shares in the new shop and it’s hoped the scheme will lead to voluntary retail opportunities and practical retail training certification. Volunteers are still required for future roles, anyone interested in getting involved should email: eastmortonshop@outlook.com

Rewarding Keighley’s young achievers

£10,000 for Highfield Community Centre

The Highfield Community Centre will be given £10,000 to spend on refurbishing its site so that it can become a hub for the local community thanks to Keighley Town Council.

The money will be spent on making improvements to the existing indoor hall and the outdoor multi-use games area which provide leisure, wellbeing and training activities for young people and the wider community, as well as local employment and volunteering opportunities.

The indoor space will be a multi-use hall for multi-cultural, sports and community activities that encourage community cohesion and participation.

The internal mezzanine floor above the existing hall will enable the Highfield Community Association (HCA) to deliver needs-led services, which cannot be provided from the existing facility.

The mezzanine floor will consist of a multi-use space for young people and children, a large meeting/training room to host courses, parents room, community kitchen and café and space to provide facilities for partner organisations and offices.

Fazeela Hanif, manager at the centre, said: “We would like to thank the town council for the £10,000 grant contribution. The funds will help us with our vision of making HCA a hub for the local community and bringing people together of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. We anticipate the project to start in November and be completed by July 2018.

Further updates on our project are available on our Facebook page and Twitter: Highfield Community Association.”

Primary schoolchildren have been presented with trophies for their outstanding effort, achievement and behaviour at the annual Keighley School Achiever Awards.

The new mayor of Keighley, Councillor Mohammed Nazam addressed a packed council chamber during the 2017 awards, which were voted for by headteachers who were invited to nominate pupils who they thought deserved special recognition.

Each child received a personal shield to take home and had their names inscribed on the school shield, which has the names of the award winners going back several years.

Pupils were shown historic artefacts and award winners were given the opportunity to introduce themselves in the Council Chamber using the microphones just like a council meeting.

Speaking at the event, councillor Mr Nazam said: “it was a great pleasure to meet the pupils, parents and staff from our local schools. The pupils’ engagement with the ceremony was superb and I hope it is something they will remember with pride”.

Update on memorial stone

You may remember that we reported in the last newsletter that the service for Canadian airmen was held in January 2017 to commemorate the lives of the six men who lost their lives.

For readers’ information, the memorial stone in Tewitt Hill at Oakworth is the site where the Wellington Bomber crash landed in bad weather, fog and low cloud on January 2, 1944 which is why we have built a memorial stone at that location.

Get set for winter

If you’re an avid reader of KTC Connect, you’ll already know that Keighley Town Council is responsible for supplying grit bins to the parish.

With winter not far away, the council is now inviting applications for new grit bins, which are filled at the start of the winter period and replenished during the winter months.

The Town Council has adopted a Grit Bin Policy and Procedure for dealing with requests from residents within the parish, which is available to download from the website www.keighley.gov.uk.

Interested applicants should read the procedure, download and print the application form, ensure it’s signed by at least 50% of the households within 100 metres of the proposed bin and return it to the address at the bottom of the form.

We will assess the proposed site for your 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 and if it’s refused we’ll contact you to discuss why.

AUTUMN 2017 | KTCConnect

14 | COMMUNITY ROUND-UP

£90,000 awarded for Community Development Work [From 02 May 2017 to 31 March 2018]

Following funding cuts at Bradford Council, community development work was axed. In a bid to ensure that work continues within the Keighley Town Council area, the Town Council put £100,000 aside at the beginning of the financial year 2017/18 and local organisations (registered with the diva base) were invited to bid for community development work.

Four successful applicants were each awarded the amounts listed below: Area

Organisation

Grant awarded for CD Work

Keighley West & Oakworth

Bracken Bank and District Community Centre

£30,000 (30 hours per week)

Keighley East

KIVCA (Community Action Bradford & District)

£25,000 (25 hours per week)

Keighley Central

Highfield Community Association

£25,000 (25 hours per week)

Keighley – Town Council boundary

Dementia Friendly Keighley

£10,000

Community development work has been identified as a fundamental part of community growth, development and integration. To contact your local community development worker, see details below.

Area: Keighley West & Oakworth Office-based location: Bracken Bank and District Community Centre Community Develop. Worker: Pip Gibson Contact Details: Mobile 07587 210101 / Office: 01535 667221 Email: pipgibsoncdw@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/pipgibsoncdw

Area: Keighley East Office-based location: Central Hall Community Develop. Worker: Michael Pascal Contact Details Office: 01535 665258 Email: Muppett@cabad.org.uk

Area: Keighley Central Office-based location: Highfield Community Centre Community Develop. Worker: Diane Law Contact Details: Mobile 075121 83877 Office: 01535 608900 Email: diane@keighleyhca.org.uk

£5,180 grant to save Holden Hall Holden Hall is one of seven community halls in the Bradford district under threat from closure due to Bradford Metropolitan District Council (BMDC) budget cuts.

The Oakworth Community Trust has been set up to secure the future of Oakworth Village Hall (Holden Hall) and has applied to take on the operational responsibilities of the hall from BMDC through a Community Asset Transfer (CAT). It is hoped that a long-term lease will be agreed through this process which will permit the Trust to plan better facilities for hall users. The Trust’s primary objective is to complete the CAT process and run Oakworth Village Hall. To enable this, funds have been raised to pay for professional services needed to complete the CAT and also to establish a birthday party service provided by the Trust to generate additional income. A grant of £5,180 from Keighley Town Council was awarded on this basis and is key to completing the CAT and ensuring the Trust is on a sound financial footing for the future.

The Trust has a secondary objective to help maintain and build on the sense of community in Oakworth and it has reached out to other local organisations to build relationships and strengthen local involvement. In conjunction with the Oakworth Scout Group, the Trust organised a Great Get Together event in the village and a Halloween event is also being planned with the Friends of Holden Park.

KTCConnect | AUTUMN 2017

Area: Keighley Town Council boundary Office-based location: Airedale Shopping Centre Community Develop. Worker: Sandra Kelly Contact Details: Mobile 07452 773788 Email: info@ dementiafriendlykeighley.org.uk

CCTV cameras cut crime Friends of Holden Park (Oakworth) received a grant of £5,968 from Keighley Town Council to install CCTV cameras at the front of the park. Monitored by the CCTV control unit in Bradford, the cameras have been installed to help the society tackle an increase in anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Andrew Wiseman, Secretary for Friends of Holden Park, said: “We have wanted CCTV for years but the cost and the logistics of monitoring the cameras have always proved unmanageable. The system that we have installed consists of six cameras which provide coverage of a large area at the front of the park including the bowling club.

“Footage is relayed to the CCTV control unit in Bradford where it can be monitored. Before the cameras were set up, the level of anti-social behaviour had been gradually increasing. Just last year the bowling club was extensively damaged and we regularly had large groups of youths in the front of the park verbally intimidating would be park users, throwing missiles at cars and being abusive towards mothers and children outside Oakworth School. Also, drug taking and drug dealing was regularly occurring in the area. Since the cameras have been installed there has been a reduction in the level of anti-social behaviour.”

ST GEORGE'S DAY – HERITAGE DAY | 15

StGeorge's Day

A rich heritage T

T

here were festivities, food and fun on the weekend of St George’s Day, April 22 and 23 2017.

With support from Keighley Town Council, Bradford Council hosted a special three-day outdoor market on Low Street, outside the Market Hall, opening on Thursday April 20 and closing at the end of Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, on the Saturday, Keighley Town Council provided free children’s and street entertainment at nearby Church Green. The weather was kind and many people enjoyed the day.

The former Deputy Town Mayor of Keighley, Councillor Barry Thorne, opened the children’s and street entertainment on Church Green at 10am. Two large inflatables kept the children busy, while giant board games, face painting and a range of hot and cold food also proved popular, together with music from a medieval piper.

On Sunday April 23, Keighley Scouts held its annual St George’s parade and service, attended by the former Town Mayor, Councillor Shabir Ahmed, who took the salute with the District Commissioner. The Town Council, working with Bradford Council, erected banners celebrating the scouting movement, which were displayed from the lamp columns on Cavendish Street. Banners featuring the cross of St George were similarly erected in North Street.

o mark Heritage Day 2017, two important public buildings, the Civic Centre on North Street and the Town Hall on Bow Street, were opened to residents and visitors by Keighley Town Council.

The special openings on Saturday September 9 ran alongside other similar events in the town, including events at Cliffe Castle, East Riddlesden Hall and the museums of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, which were all opened as part of the National Heritage Open Days. Keighley Library was also opened to host an exhibition all about the history of music in the town.

During the morning, illustrated talks and guided tours were held in the Civic Centre, which was originally the town’s courthouse and “lock-up” and later expanded to include a superintendent’s house and police station. An insight into the development of policing in the town was provided by former police officer, Councillor Peter Corkindale, who conducted tours of the former cells complete with police equipment uniforms and other memorabilia.

On the afternoon, visitors were also greeted by Town Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Nazam who welcomed residents into the Council Chamber at Keighley Town Hall.

Visitors were able to appreciate the large collections of paintings and photographs of past majors and dignitaries which adorn the walls.

AUTUMN 2017 | KTCConnect

Keighley Town Council presents

Oktoberfest

OCTOBER ENTERTAINMENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY Keighley Town Council

Saturday 14 October 10am to 6pm Church Green, Keighley (or the Keighley Civic Centre if it rains)

Join us for autumnal crafts, games, refreshments and stalls Lantern parade at dusk Suitable for all the family Contact the Town Council Office for further details Tel: 01535 618252 website: www.keighley.gov.uk or via facebook https://www.facebook.com/ keighleytowncnl