A community organisation aimed at helping Otley people is appealing for new members.

Otley Community Council was set up to promote charitable purposes for the good of people from the town - in particular education, health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness.

It aims to promote co-operation between councils and other statutory bodies and voluntary organisations.

Now, following the resignation of its chairman, PC David Robson, who is retiring as the town's community policeman, the council is looking for new members to sit on its committee.

Raoul Guise, from OCC, said new officers would have to be elected at the council's annual general meeting at Otley Civic Centre on Thursday, May 25.

And to help people understand the future role of the organisation former Otley town councillor and mayor Sue Egan will be talking about the future for voluntary organisations in the current political climate.

Mr Guise said: "The community council was established many years ago to promote any charitable purposes for the benefit of the people of Otley. In particular, it attends to the advancement of education, the furtherance of health and the relief of poverty, distress and sickness."

He added that the council was a voluntary organisation that gave those working for the people of Otley the chance to come together to share and develop ideas.

"Its position as a registered charity means that it can have a key role in initiating and support new ventures in the town and be a help to finding funds and guidance for starting new ventures.

"Any organisation that is concerned for people in Otley is invited to attend the AGM and propose and elect members for the committee that will ensure the continuation of the community council."

The meeting at Otley Civic Centre is due to start at 7.30pm.

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