A CHANGE in council rules to ensure Keighley mayors and deputy mayors remain non-political during their terms of office will be proposed on Thursday evening. (July 27)
The recommended change will be requested by Keighley town councillor Andrea Walker.
She wants an extra sentence to be added to standing order 24, which deals with "Restrictions on Councillor Activities."
The proposed wording reads: "The Mayor and Deputy Mayor is expected to rise above all politics and refrain from all party political activities whilst acting and holding office of the Mayor/Deputy Mayor of the town council."
Cllr Walker explained: "This is to make sure they are impartial and do not take sides during general or district elections."
Thursday night's town council meeting will also consider a separate motion from Cllr Mark Curtis.
This states: "The role of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, specifically the guidance they are given in the mayor's handbook, is not clear or helpful.
"It therefore potentially puts these roles in conflict as leaders of the town council.
"This could place the individuals in these roles in an unfair position.
"I recommend that the [town council's] policies and governance committee review the mayoral handbook with specific reference to the effect on political career."
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