KEIGHLEY Town Council’s precept is to rise.
Under the budget approved for 2022-23, householders in a band D property will pay £48.11 – an increase of £8.43 on the current year.
But the town council says investment is planned across a range of areas, with a focus on priorities set out in the 2020-23 town plan.
Spending on the maintenance of Town Hall Square and its war memorial will be increased, and more money will be spent on festive lights for the site.
Investment will be upped in repairing and maintaining the town council’s 13 allotment sites.
Over £80,000 is being allocated for grants supporting community groups and projects – plus £20,000 for community development projects.
Funding is set aside for external improvements to the Grade II listed civic centre, in North Street.
And additional resources are earmarked for events in the town – most notably those to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Yorkshire Day in August, when Keighley will host a countywide extravaganza.
Total expenditure in the budget will rise from £640,488 to £777,824.
The events spending is increasing from £26,000 to £53,000, and Town Hall Square repairs and maintenance by £8,000 – to £25,000.
Town mayor, Councillor Julie Adams, said: “The budget agreed by councillors aims to have a positive impact on Keighley.
“We are investing in areas where we think it will have the greatest public benefit – such as our annual events programme, festive lights, Town Hall Square maintenance, grants and projects to support community groups right across our town.
“I am sure these investments will have a real impact for Keighley.”
Deputy mayor Cllr Luke Maunsell, who is also a member of the budget working group, said: “I’m excited to start work on the various projects included in the budget for next year. As your town councillors, we are passionate about delivering improvements for Keighley and working with all our partners to make them a reality.”
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