THE recent announcement from Bradford Council about a potential declaration of bankruptcy, should emergency financial support not be forthcoming from the Government, is very concerning but Keighley Civic Society is pledging its support in securing as many public services and public assets as possible for the town, working alongside others to get the best outcome in a very difficult situation.

The council has published a proposed cost-cutting budget for 2024-25 while waiting for a Government decision but, in the event of a ‘no’, the implications of a declaration of bankruptcy are that in order to continue to run a minimum level of only statutory services Bradford Council will have to borrow on the money markets and sell public assets to service that debt.

It is clear to us, the executive of Keighley Civic Society, that we must now put divisions aside and work together with all stakeholders to get the best deal for Keighley. We must save what we can but that will mean a commitment to run what we save and that means volunteers and community asset transfers, among other things. But this emergency can benefit our town if we work together and put our minds to it and our backs into it. If we can make our voice heard at the highest level in Bradford Council as partners of Keighley Town Council, by taking on a share of the responsibility, we might also be able to exert influence on what is cut.

To this end, at a meeting of Keighley Town Council in our town hall, our honorary treasurer, Andrew Knight, offered Keighley Civic Society’s support at every stage and at every level to work with the town council to take some of the load off Bradford Council – and particularly to promote and support moves towards a devolution of powers and public assets ‘back to’ Keighley Town Council.

As to the logistics of the process, the first step for all residents is to complete Bradford Council’s public consultation on the initial stage of its cost-cutting proposals before the deadline of February 17. The proposals seem light on detail but it is very important that Bradford Council sees and acknowledges the level of buy-in by all Keighley's residents, neighbourhoods and communities; a low response will be perceived as a lack of interest in, or care for, our town’s assets and public services.

And please get in touch if you’d like to be involved by joining Keighley Civic Society. Just email our honorary treasurer, on Honseckcsoc@gmail.com

Jane Lee, secretary, Keighley Civic Society