COUNCILLORS in Keighley have set priorities for how each part of the town should be improved during the next 12 months.

Members of the town’s area committee have agreed six ‘quality-of-life’ priorities for each of the six Bradford Council wards in the Keighley and Ilkley constituency.

Members called for action on issues such as anti-social behaviour, older people, health, the local economy, environment, education and children’s play, across Keighley, the Worth Valley, Craven and Ilkley.

Six priorities have been set for each ward, a reduction on the 18 per ward decided last year.

Although they reduced the number of priorities for each ward, members demanded the report set out clear methods for addressing each priority, including targets for both quality and quantity.

Action to meet the new priorities will also reflect Bradford Council’s ‘New Deal’ initiative, which aims to increase volunteering, empower communities, improve local decision-making and reduce demand on local authority services.

The Keighley Area Co-ordinator will submit six-monthly progress reports to the area committee, and the hope is other organisations will also take the priorities on board.

Keighley East ward priorities include reducing litter, improving recycling, addressing anti-social behaviour and encouraging people to have active lifestyles and take care of their own health.

In Keighley Central Ward, there will be action on cleaner environments, diverse communities, local health initiatives, anti-social behaviour and community safety, education and supporting business.

Keighley West Ward priorities are improving recycling, developing ‘community hubs’, helping residents care for their neighbourhoods and keeping children and young people safe.

In the Worth Valley, efforts will focus on maintaining local services, supporting older people, developing play opportunities, promoting drugs awareness for parents and equipping residents to care for their neighbourhood.

Priorities in Craven Ward, which includes Silsden, Steeton and Eastburn, include anti-social behaviour, support for older people, business support, local health, partnerships with parish councils and making the best use of public buildings, such as Silsden's town hall, old library and youth centre.

Priorities for Ilkley ward, which includes Addingham, include maintaining the appearance of the ward, helping older people live independent lives, tackling anti-social behaviour, supporting businesses, making the best use of public buildings and helping residents take part in community projects.

Keighley Area Committee members, who are all Bradford councillors, also received a report on work by council officers to support last year's ward plans.

They examined a list that gave a ‘flavour’ of the type of activities carried out in each area, and heard councillors and council officers had worked with other organisations on the projects.

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