The Strategic Director of Corporate Resources will present a report (Document “F”) in respect of recommendations relating to the Petition received by the Council in support of the proposed development of the Health and Wellbeing hub on the former Keighley College sites on North Street and Cavendish Street, Keighley.

Recommended -

To accept the Petition and progress with the proposal for the development of the Community Health & Wellbeing Centre as detailed in Document “F”.

(Alistair Russell – 07973 885399)

The Strategic Director of Corporate Resources presented a report (Document “F”) in respect of recommendations relating to the Petition received by the Council in support of the proposed development of the Health and Wellbeing hub on the former Keighley College sites on North Street and Cavendish Street, Keighley.

Members were reminded that an earlier petition was considered by the Executive on 2 November 2021 requesting that the site be kept as green space. Executive resolved to reject that petition and take forward the development of the hub.  The Executive was advised that the site was 1.2 acres and made up of 2 sites and constituted a significant site in the centre of Keighley and that £3.4m Towns Fund had been allocated to realise the delivery of the project.   In 2014 the site was transferred to Council and in the event of the Council developing the site it needed to get Yorkshire Forward (now Homes England) approval to the proposals.   

The lead petitioner attended the meeting and referred the fact that 2,900 people had signed the petition in support of the Health and Wellbeing hub.  He pointed out that it would help to tackle health inequalities in the district especially in the Black and Minority Ethnic community and those with long term health issues.  He added that priority must be given to how the proposals would impact on the health of the community.  He stressed the benefits of being able to easily access mental health services, stroke rehabilitation and midwifery services in the hub.  He urged the Executive to implement the proposals regarding the Health and Wellbeing hub for the people of Keighley. 

A Ward Councillor attended the meeting and noted that the people of Keighley had been waiting 20 years for a health hub which was long overdue.  He thanked officers for the report and the recommendations contained in it.  He echoed the points made by the lead petitioner.  He stressed the importance of the hub to the people of Keighley and noted the difficulty that residents were experiencing in getting GP appointments.  He also emphasised that the life expectancy in Keighley Central was 10 years less than in Ilkley.  He urged the Executive to accept the petition.

A Ward Councillor asked a number of questions regarding the hub which she was asked to put in writing and a response would be provided.

The secretary of the Green Space Campaign Group noted that the original petition did not oppose the hub just the location.  She raised a number of questions about the petition being considered today.  She noted that she had been refused a request to view the petition by the City Solicitor.  She requested that the Executive defer their decision until the points she raised could be examined.

The Regeneration, Transportation and Planning Portfolio Holder noted that £30m Towns Funding had been allocated to Keighley.  He thanked the petitioners and referred to the health benefits that the hub would bring and that it was anticipated to attract 200 jobs to the town centre of which 50 would be new.   He referred to the agreement with Yorkshire Forward (now Homes England) that the Council was required to seek their consent to the proposed use of the land.  He added that this was a brown field site and had been built on since 1870.   He agreed with the petitioners that the health inequalities in Keighley needed to be challenged and dealt with.   He noted that people on both sides of the debate wanted to see a health hub in Keighley and this was the preferred site of the board and a key site to improve the health of the people of Keighley and increase employment opportunities in the town centre.

Resolved -

That the Petition be accepted and the proposal for the development of the Community Health & Wellbeing Centre as detailed in Document “F” be progressed.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Corporate Resources