AN unusually lengthy Keighley Town Council meeting last night meant a decision on the council's 2015/16 budget was deferred until next Thursday evening. (January 29)

The council had been due to vote on a proposal not to increase the precept for this coming financial year.

Most of yesterday evening's meeting was taken up by debates centred on the town council's troubled civic centre and on a disputed payment for a memorial bench in Town Hall Square.

Speaking at 9pm, two and a half hours into the meeting, coun Tony Wright said: "I'm too tired to have a reasoned debate. I move that we defer to a later date." His recommendation was seconded and carried.

Town mayor coun Graham Mitchell confirmed that the deadline to inform Bradford Council of the town council's budget arrangements meant the debate could not wait until next month's full council meeting.

If council members accept the recommendation not to put up the precept, the amount levied on Keighley taxpayers for the year will amount to £42.69 on homes in the benchmark band D category.

The venue for next Thursday's meeting has still to be confirmed.