A FOUNDING member of Keighley Town Council has resigned, complaining that it is is not doing enough for people.

Kathrine Roberts represented Brackenbank & Ingrow Ward for 13 years.

A second councillor has also announced his resignation. UK Independence Party councillor George Firth, of Fell Lane and Westburn Ward, said he had left on health grounds.

Explaining her own departure, Miss Roberts said: “I should never have stood at the last election but people in my ward wanted me to.

“The council has gone downhill rapidly, and I didn’t want to stay.

“A parish council should be for the people, but people have been asking me what is happening with their precept money.

“I've asked questions about that, but have not had answers, so it was time to stand down.

“We had five former mayors leave at the last election because they were disillusioned also.

“The council is not doing enough for the town."

Miss Roberts, of Ingrow, said she would continue with her non-council related public roles. She is chairman of Keighley Royal British Legion, chairman of the Friends of Utley Cemetery and is on the committee for Keighley in Bloom.

Members of the town council can co-opt a new member themselves, unless ten or more residents of the ward involved call for a by-election.

Keighley Mayor, Councillor Javaid Akhtar, defended the council's progress.

"The town council has moved forward, even if the pace of this progress has not been to everyone's liking," he said.

"The council has been and is operating without a full level of staffing in its office.

"We've had to address the failings of the past by introducing and adopting new policies and procedures, which does take time.

"We're building sound foundations so the council can continue to move forward.

"More than ever before people have been given the opportunity to have their say as part of our public engagement strategy. This is a listening council."

He added that Cllr Roberts had not been on any council committees at the time of her departure, and had not raised questions on behalf of local residents at council meetings.

"I'd like to thank her for her time on the council and wish her a happy retirement, and all the best for the future," he said.