KEIGHLEY Town Council says its efforts to help secure a better festive display this Christmas have been rebuffed.

A town council spokesman has complained it was "excluded" by Bradford Council, after it came forward following complaints about the lights display in the town last year.

But Bradford Council has insisted it did initiate talks about resolving the problem, adding that a key town council staff member was unavailable at a time when commitments needed to be made.

Last year's Christmas lights in Keighley attracted fierce criticism with some members of the public branded them a disgrace.

One illuminated sign, which read: "Keighley a B.I.D town", was singled out for particular criticism as it made no reference to Christmas.

Town clerk Safia Kauser said: "The town council has done its best to engage with other organisations, Bradford Council and the Business Improvement District, to try to rectify the debacle we had over the Christmas lights.

"Many residents felt that was the town council's responsibility, though this was not the case.

"The town council's events and leisure committee supported positive talks earlier this year, however, during this period, Keighley Town Council was excluded from having any input and was not invited to meetings held for the renewal of the lights.

"We've been told £39,000 expenditure has been incurred for the renewal of lights in North Street and Cavendish Street but this doesn't include Town Hall Square.

"Bradford Council is expecting us to pay an additional £4,000 for the Town Hall Square lights, even though the square is the asset of Bradford Council."

The Bradford Council spokesman responded: “Bradford Council is responsible for Keighley's public Christmas lights display and following criticism of the display last year, Bradford Council initiated an inclusive discussion of potential improvements.

“Keighley Town Council’s clerk has acknowledged this. At the time commitments had to be made, contact with the town council clerk was not possible as she was not available.

“Keighley Town Council is responsible for maintenance of Town Hall Square and has been for years.

“It's believed the lights in the trees in the square were originally ordered by the Keighley town clerk.

“Faults with these lights, which remain in place all year, were apparent last year and before. The former town clerk was notified.

“The Christmas Lights display was discussed at a meeting of the town council’s events and leisure committee – which was attended by Bradford Council.

“Details of funding were provided. Bradford Council staff have helped Keighley town councillors and the present clerk, with quotes for works on the lights in the Town Hall Square trees.

“Keighley Business Improvement District has not needed to contribute to the wider cost as this has been covered by Bradford Council through its usual funds and a legacy contribution from the former Keighley Town Centre Association.”

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