MEMBERS of Keighley Town Council have been urged to make sure they attend their own committee meetings.

Councillor Peter Corkindale, speaking at the latest full meeting of the town council, stressed the importance of these engagements, noting that committee members should not just be turning up "whenever they feel like it".

"These meetings are there for a reason," he added.

Two councillors suggested the current set time for committee meetings – which is relatively early in the evening – was posing a problem for those councillors with jobs involving standard working hours.

Cllr John Kirby said: "Some people have missed committee meetings due to work commitments.

"I've asked in the past whether we can move the meeting time from 6pm to 7.15pm.

"That would give everyone a chance to get home from work first then make it to the meeting, and no one would have an excuse for not turning up."

Cllr Shazad Mahmood also argued that 6pm committee meetings were too early for councillors that work.

Cllr Anayat Mohammed recommended that each committee should be allowed to decide when its meetings begin.

But town mayor Cllr Mohammed Nazam said the council's own procedures mean such a change in the rules would have to first be presented to the policies and governance committee, which would then make a recommendation to full council.

Cllr Westerman pointed out that his watch and transport committee's start time of 6pm actually made it easier for the police to attend.

"We haven't had many of our meetings not taking place due to being inquorate," he said. "We'd be happy to stay at 6pm."