KEIGHLEY Town Council’s allotment and landscape committee has a new chairman.

Cllr Luke Maunsell, who represents Oakworth ward on the council, was voted into the role by colleagues to replace long-serving councillor John Kirby.

Cllr Maunsell said: “I am immensely proud to have been elected, and am blessed to work with such committed councillors and staff. 

“Cllr Kirby has done an incredible job in the role and I would be delighted if I can serve as effectively as he has over the last eight years.”

 Cllr Maunsell said the committee had a lot of work to do, both in maintaining and developing the current allotments, and looking at potential sites the town council could take on.

He added: “I am also keen on reaching out to our tenants more, holding some Allotment Surgeries with our brilliant officer and fellow councillors, and keeping them fully in the loop and a central part of our work. 

“The provision of allotments is one of the town council’s key responsibilities, as is maintaining the Town Hall Square amongst other bright and colourful contributions that the council makes to the town.

“With such a strong and commited team behind me, I am confident that this work will only go from strength to strength.” 

At the allotments and landscape committee meeting, councillors agreed to take on responsibility for the planters on Low Street in Keighley town centre.

Cllr Maunsell added: “We’re very much looking forward to making them a beautiful talking point of the town!”

Cllr Maunsell, who also represents the hamlets of Newsholme and Oldfield, recently praised the “incredible resilience” of Oakworth people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He recently distributed his latest newsletter to all residents of the area.