I ATTENDED the extraordinary meeting of Keighley Town Council on December 2 in my district councillor capacity, as an observer.

I attended as I am very concerned the past couple of years have brought bad publicity and negative national as well as local media coverage, which in turn may deter investors for much-needed new businesses and jobs for Keighley.

This paper has already reported on the proceedings and resolutions/motions passed at the meeting. Given the auditor’s recommendations were accepted in full, and are being implemented by the town council, the electorate has been given an apology for shortcomings and that all councillors will be re-standing for election in May 2015, I would hope we can all collectively draw a line under past mistakes and short-fallings and all work together for the good of Keighley as citizens, councillors and MP.

This will include trying to work together to find the best way forward for the Civic Centre to maximise income and thus minimise the impact on council tax payers. Those protestors who have sought to expose the shortcomings of some of the town council’s decision-making, governance and accountancy practices have, as a result of the auditor’s recommendations, ensured that, going forward, the town council will be in a stronger positive regarding its governance systems and structures.

Keighley Town Council and Bradford District Council will be with us all for the foreseeable future. They have very different roles and responsibilities, as does the constituency MP. Changing how Keighley is currently governed to another format will be costly, complex and is unlikely to be supported at Governmental levels, given there is a push for fewer, rather than additional councils.

If everyone pulled together we could achieve so much more for Keighley.

I truly believe all the town councillors who have served during the past four years have tried their upmost to carry out their duties effectively, diligently and have worked hard to achieve the best outcomes for Keighley. Many are stepping down, so we need another group of willing citizens to step forward and stand in May 2015 to champion our town and promote its huge potential and start generating more good news stories for Keighley.

COUNCILLOR JAN SMITHIES

Keighley West ward