The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “K”) makes suggestions on the possible support Keighley Town Council can provide on the delivery of the Keighley Locality Plan 2022-2025.

Recommended –

1.    Members are asked to comment on the ways in which Keighley Town Council proposes that it can contribute to the priorities of the Keighley Locality Plan 2022-25, as detailed in Document K at Appendix B.

2.    That the Keighley Area Co-ordinator and his staff team be requested to work with Keighley Town Council, and all Local Councils in the Keighley Area, to help address the priorities of the Keighley Locality Plan 2023-25.

(Jonathan Hayes – 01535 618008)

Members were advised that when the locality plan had been produced the Town Clerk had made contact with the Area Co-ordinator’s Office with suggestions on how the Town Council could support its delivery and requested an opportunity to talk to Members about those suggestions.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “K”) included suggestions made by the Town Council on the possible support Keighley Town Council could provide on the delivery of the Keighley Locality Plan 2022-2025

The Town Mayor and Deputy Town Clerk were in attendance and highlighted a number of actions, set out in Document “K”, and examples of work to achieve those objectives.

It was explained that the initial idea to support the plan had arisen at the Town Council’s Policy and Governance Committee where members had been keen to consider how they could support the plan.  Appended to Document “K” was an overview of thirteen aims identified by the town council to contribute towards the Locality Plan.  Those propositions detailed future actions; activities already undertaken and aspirations. 

Members welcomed the suggestions included in the report whilst requesting clarification on a number of points. 

There was concern about the possible duplication of work across the Keighley constituency.

The suggestion to create Ward Forums was not welcomed as it was felt that there were now more effective ways, through social media and methods such as market stalls and street surgeries, to communicate with residents. The Deputy Town Clerk agreed with those comments and reported that the proposal had been scrapped.

It was explained that CCTV Cameras was already included in the plan and, as the police had oversight of those cameras, Members were not clear how joint working would assist. 

In response it was explained that the Town Council’s suggestion was to provide mobile cameras which would be managed by officers from the Council and the police.  It had been hoped to develop a method for residents to raise their concerns and for those mobile cameras to be deployed where needed.  It was confirmed that the CCTV cameras were monitored by the police.

Members questioned reference to cameras to target ‘hot spots’ for Anti-social behaviour; criminal activity and fly tipping and the suggested sum of £6,000 offered by the town council for cameras in the Keighley East Ward.  It was confirmed that the two comments referred to the same scheme and that more than £6,000 had been allocated across the town. 

The suggested potential for the Town Council’s Community Awards event to be expanded to include the district Council and other parish councils in the area was questioned with a view that the Keighley event should be continued to retain the Keighley identity being voiced by the Chair.

A Member who had nominated an entrant for an award asked why she was not told they had been shortlisted or invited to attend and it was explained that the venue where the Keighley event, Civic Centre, had been held had limited capacity.  If subsequent events were held at Victoria Hall, there would be the capacity to invite more people.  It was suggested that should the Keighley event be combined a representative from the Committee and Area Co-ordinator’s office should be included on the short listing panel.

The proposals suggested for young people were questioned and Members were advised of proposals to set up a youth council.  Discussions had been held with the Council’s Community Development Officer and it was hoped to set up a pilot scheme soon.  It was suggested that alternatives to the traditional school, college, university route be developed and the town council representatives confirmed that whilst they did not have the specific expertise they could fund alternative initiatives.  The development of a volunteer base was discussed and it was confirmed that the town council did provide work placements for young people. 

The suggested provision of a Speed Action Plan with the aim to create Speed Watch Groups across the area was discussed.

A Member reported that a lot of that work was already carried out and queried how the town council’s proposals would be enforced.  It was explained that a questionnaire was currently in force for residents to provide their views and concerns regarding street specific speeding. That information had been sent to Members for their information and Members agreed that it had been is very useful. The information received was passed to the police and the Council’s Principal Engineer.  Whilst welcoming that information concern was expressed that, as the highways budget was set by the Council, residents may be suggesting to the town council schemes which were not appropriate or accepted by all residents. 

It was confirmed that the town council contributed to the police initiate Operation Steerside and the Town Council had sought advice from the Council’s Road Safety Team on how to involve schools

A Member, referring to Keighley Town Council being the 21^st largest in the country, questioned what barriers to partnership working were in place and how better links with all councils across the constituency could be fostered. 

The involvement of other parish councils in the constituency was discussed and it was suggested that, as the town council had done, any parish council would be welcome to offer their support to the locality planning process.  An example of how well the district, town and parish councils had worked successfully together for the benefit of all residents was cited as the work conducted throughout the Covid pandemic.

The Chair, whilst agreeing in principle with the offer of support expressed concern that the Council’s ward areas and the town council boundaries where not aligned.  He also referred to the potential for direct referrals to the Principal Engineer resulting in actions without the Committee’s involvement or approval.  The issue of double taxation with residents paying their Council tax and town or parish precepts was also raised.  

In response to questions it was explained that the Locality Plan presented was not the final version and more work was to be conducted.  Members requested that a final version of the plan be presented to a future meeting.  It was noted that the suggestion to do that was included in the recommendations included in Document “K”. 

The town council representatives were thanked for their attendance and proposals to support the plan.  It was agreed that all comments made at the meeting would be considered and a progress report would be requested for consideration at the July meeting.  Members requested that they be informed by email of any pertinent issues arising before that meeting date.

Resolved –

1.    That the Keighley Area Co-ordinator and his staff team be requested to work with Keighley Town Council, and all Local Councils in the Keighley Area, to help address the priorities of the Keighley Locality Plan 2022-25.

2.    That the Keighley Area Co-ordinator be requested to provide a progress report on the support from Keighley Town Council on the delivery of the Keighley Locality Plan 2022-2025 in July 2023.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Corporate

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place