A SWEEPING package of measures designed to "deliver on the people's priorities" has been agreed by Keighley Town Council.

But the precept will rise by 40 per cent to help fund the initiatives.

Members approved the budget for 2024-25 at a meeting last Thursday night.

According to the town council, the agreed package "reflects the objectives" set out in its Keighley Vision 2027 document – which councillors approved last year following a public consultation, that attracted over 700 responses.

The budget includes:

* £60,000 in grants to support local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations

* £10,000 towards improving frontages of independent shops in the town centre

* Funding to support the development of a walking festival across Keighley, which will aim to encourage more people to engage in physical activity and attract visitors to Keighley and the surrounding countryside

* Funds towards the development of a Festival of Sport to spotlight and promote sports clubs and physical activity groups across Keighley

* Additional funding for events celebrating St George's Day, Yorkshire Day, Eid, Christmas and other days and festivals

* Funds for two additional family fun days to be staged in community settings

* More investment in floral displays to further improve the appearance of the town centre

* Investment to help hold regular outdoor markets in the town centre

* Additional funding for the town's Christmas lights

* Further investment to support West Yorkshire Police in tackling anti-social driving and speeding across Keighley

* And funding for community-focussed projects, such as People's Planters, Try Something Summer activities, a pollinators scheme with schools and a weekly carrom club.

The town council says that for the majority of households in Keighley, the precept increase will equate to a rise of "no more than £1.84 per month". A property in band D will pay £74.63 a year, or about 21p per day.

Town mayor, Councillor John Kirby, says: "The town council budget process began last September, with each committee submitting its requirements for the year ahead.

"The budget has undergone significant scrutiny by councillors throughout the entire process.

"This agreed budget will ensure that the town council continues to increase its influence in key areas across Keighley and provide support to the endless wonderful charities, community groups and voluntary organisations we have in Keighley."

Councillor Clare Abberton, chair of the town council's policy and resources committee, says: "The council has set a budget that provides investments into the areas and priorities highlighted by our public consultation last year and the objectives set out in our Keighley Vision. It's an exciting time for our town council and I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver on the people's priorities."

Improving people's perception of the town centre and ensuring residents feel safe are among priorities set out in the Vision 2027 document.

With regards to the town centre, the vision states the current perception "needs to be improved and minds changed from residents and visitors about the offer available".

It adds that consultation feedback had highlighted how people valued events which brought the community together.