On Friday 25th February, Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore will lead a debate on the Local Authority Boundaries (Referendums) Bill which he has personally introduced to Parliament. Moore’s Private Member’s Bill would enable parliamentary constituencies, including Keighley and Ilkley, as well as neighbouring Shipley, to form a new unitary local authority area if agreed by referendum.
This represents real progress in the campaign led by Moore and Shipley MP Philip Davies to break away the Keighley and Shipley parliamentary constituencies from Bradford Council to form a new local authourity. This has been one of Moore’s top priorities since being elected in 2019, given the number of constituents who contact him on the matter to say they feel excluded and unrepresented by Bradford Council.
In a speech to Parliament during the debate, Moore will sight the many reasons as to why his constituents hold these opinions. He will state the fact that his constituents pay the area’s highest share of council tax whilst getting very little in return, as well as Bradford Council’s failure to secure funding for economic regeneration in the town. Moore will note that Labour run Bradford Council failed to even apply for up to £20 million of Levelling Up Funds for Keighley made available by the Conservative Government last summer. He will also reference the systematic failings of Bradford Council, including the Council’s Children’s Services, which Moore will argue have not done enough to tackle Child Sexual Exploitation, as well as making fatal mistakes such as not seeing the warning signs which could have prevented the death of Star Hobson.
Moore will make the positive case for all the good a new local unitary authority could do, including protecting local greenspaces such as the green space on North Street in Keighley, the green field next to the Hive in Silsden, or to stop the huge proposed development of houses on green belt land. Moore will also describe how a new unitary authority which is specifically focused on local issues will be able to attract local investment and drive forward economic prosperity and growth.
Robbie Moore MP said: “For far too long, my constituents have been ignored by Bradford Council. In spite of sending them huge amounts of money through Council Tax and Business Rates, we receive hardly anything in return, with investment going to Bradford City Centre whilst our local services suffer.
Bradford Council continue to provide a shoddy service to my constituents. They have no proper economic growth strategy for Keighley and just last summer they failed to even apply for a further £20 million from the governments Levelling Up Fund to add to the £33.6 million Towns Fund money I secured. Whether it is small or large issues there are constant failings; such as taking the ridiculous decision to close the Haworth Tourist Information Centre or not acting on problems like parking in Ilkley. The Council have also failed vulnerable young children in our area, which is why Bradford Council are being stripped of their responsibility for Children’s Services.
Local authourities need to represent each and every one of its residents. If you live in Keighley and Ilkley, in my view, this currently does not happen. My Private Members Bill will give us the power to demand a new local authourity. That way, we can protect our green belt, deliver better services and ensure more money is spent in our area.”
