INDEPENDENT-MINDED people keen to champion local democracy are invited to information events on standing for election to a new council that will serve more than 18,000 residents.

Voting for seats on Bingley Town Council will take place on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at the same time as polling for district councillors for Bradford.

To encourage residents to consider standing for the new Town Council, two free events to explain what is involved are being held on Thursday, March 3, 1pm to 3pm and 6pm to 8pm at the Mercure Bankfield Hotel, Bingley.

The events are being organised by the Bingley Community Council Group (BCCG) which successfully campaigned for the creation of the new Town Council, which was debated and agreed by Bradford Council in October 2015.

Ros Dawson, chair of BCCG, said: "Feedback from our consultations revealed that people want independent local residents to stand for council, rather than candidates representing political parties.

"That’s why we are holding these events; of course everyone is welcome, but the main aim is to share information with people who don’t have the backing of a party machine and who are keen to serve their community."

As well as a presentation and printed material being available, a representative from the Yorkshire Local Councils Association will be on hand at the evening event to answer questions.

Bingley Town Council will serve over 18,000 people in Bingley, Cottingley, Crossflatts, Eldwick, Gilstead and Micklethwaite.

It will join the 18 other town, parish and neighbourhood councils which already exist within the Bradford Metropolitan District.

In total, Bingley Town Council will have 16 councillors: Two for Bingley Central and Myrtle Park, two for Crossflatts and Micklethwaite, two for Eldwick, one for Lady Lane and Oakwood, two for Crownest, two for Priestthorpe, two for Gilstead and three for Cottingley.

More information is available at www.bingleyccg.org.uk and on the Bingley Council Group Facebook page and @bingleyccg twitter account.

The campaign for a new Bingley Town Council has received support and funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government through the National Association of Local Councils and the Yorkshire Local Councils Association.

The campaign for the creation of Bingley Town Council started in December 2013. It involved gathering a petition signed by ten per cent of the electorate (nearly 2,000 people), ongoing meetings and consultations with individuals and organisations and an official two-month long consultation carried out by Bradford Metropolitan District Council.