A PLAN to hold public meetings four times a year to help foster "transparency and openness" will be discussed by members of Keighley Town Council this week.

The council already arranges an annual town meeting, but its members will be asked to arrange dates and times for three additional public meetings during the 2015/16 civic year.

An explanatory note in the agenda for Thursday's town council meeting explains: "The purpose of the meetings is to allow the public and elected members to speak candidly outside of the current confines of council protocols.

"The intention is to foster a sense of transparency and openness amongst members of the public. The meetings will have some form of structure with an agenda, but any debate will remain fluid according to the topics raised."

The Keighley parishioners campaign group, Cavetown Council, has previously complained about what it sees as a lack of transparency in the town council.

Responding to the council's latest proposal for three additional public meetings, Cavetown member and Ingrow resident Elizabeth Mitchell said: "I am pleased to see the ‘Public Meetings’ being recommended.

"I hope the proposal will be accepted, but I am a little concerned at the reference to there being an agenda."