ILKLEY resident Andrew Loy has been selected to stand as the Conservative candidate for Ilkley and Ben Rhydding in the local elections this May.

Andrew has lived in Ilkley all his life and went to school locally. Last year he was elected to Ilkley Town Council in a by-election, but he believes there is more he can do to stand up for local residents by representing the town on Bradford Council too.

He said: “I have two key priorities: to give local residents a real say in how their town is run, and to make sure ratepayers’ money is spent responsibly. That means giving residents the choice to break away from Bradford Council, listening to opposition to the Local Plan which would see 285 houses built on Ben Rhydding green belt land, and ensuring there is a proper consultation on the proposed 20mph and traffic calming plan.

“It also means pushing for lower council tax and value for money. Ilkley and Ben Rhydding residents pay in far more than they get back from Bradford Council. That needs to change, with more investment in basic services such as street sweeping and facilities such as the playground on Backstone Way.”

District Councillor for Ilkley and Ben Rhydding Kyle Green added: “I am delighted to be supporting Andrew Loy as the Conservative candidate for Ilkley and Ben Rhydding in the local elections on 5th May.

“Andrew lives locally and is already working incredibly hard for residents as a Town Councillor holding the Green and Lib Dem alliance to account over projects such as the shambolic toilet procurement process. Andrew has a fantastic vision for our wonderful town and I know he will work with me to stand up to Labour-run Bradford Council.

“I have been delighted to deliver on residents' priorities such as the Backstone Way active travel path and I know that if elected Andrew will work with me to deliver more of these kinds of projects as well as working together with local businesses to support our high street as we look to bounce back from the pandemic.”

Councillor Mike Gibbons, who currently represents the Ilkley and Ben Rhydding ward on Bradford Council, will be making a statement about his intentions next week.