Looking Back, Looking Forward

As presenting this report is this is my last duty as Chair of the Council, I hope you will indulge me by allowing me to reminisce a little. To do so, I must break the convention that this report covers the last year; I want to say something about the last seven since I became Chair.

Imagine the scene: I had been Chair for only nine months, COVID was preventing the Council from operating properly, our Executive Officer and Town Clerk had resigned, the Council finances were worrying me, and I couldn’t easily meet other Councillors to find out their views – I was bound to ask, “Why am I doing this? I don’t even get paid!” The answer for me and my fellow Councillors was obvious then and is obvious now: Otley deserves a Town Council that facilitates all that is great about our town, protecting our heritage, our community ethos and our pride in place. Together, whatever our political stripe, we work for that.

In the Bible, the number seven represents perfection and completeness and so it somehow seems appropriate that I am stepping down from the role of Otley Town Council Chair after that many years helping my fellow Councillors and our wonderful staff make a significant difference in our community. As the elected body for the town and with the resources of the precept (about £100 per household) behind us, we have successfully fought for Otley, worked for Otley and invested in Otley. I am proud of what we have achieved.

Thanks

It is traditional to start with three sets of thanks:

To the community for its support, whether reflected through attendance at meetings (thank you for attending this evening!), talking to us on the phone or by email, or working through one of Otley’s other great organisations that share their ideas, expertise, and enthusiasms as we work together for Otley.

To the Council staff, who respond so diligently to the needs of residents, Councillors and the Council administration. We have a largely settled team now and colleagues are helping us ensure value for money and effective administration. We are grateful for the way in which staff help to manage Council projects and provide excellent support for the public, including maintaining the Council’s commitment to a public enquiries desk and telephone service. And who hide their frustration with new demands and ideas from Councillors extremely well.

I would like to note in particular the work of Dr Jason Knowles, who has moved on from his post as Town Clerk and Executive Officer after 14 years with Otley Town Council, over six of which were in the top job, and during which time he kept many plates spinning successfully, editing Otley Matters, managing Council assets, overseeing the Council’s legal and financial compliance, managing staff and projects and generally keeping the house in order – challenging where some Councillors were concerned. Jason was always professional, deeply conscientious and hugely hard-working. He is being missed badly by colleagues, Councillors and the community.

To my fellow Councillors who have, as ever, been unfailingly helpful and supportive. I am grateful for all their voluntary hard work on behalf of the community; and for their commitment to ensure that the Town Council, as the elected public body for the town, discharges its responsibility to do all it can to keep Otley special and thriving.

New Leadership at the Town Council

It’s been a wonderful time being Chair: sometimes difficult as I mentioned, but mostly great fun with new friendships made both within and beyond the Council, exciting challenges to overcome, people and organisations to support through advice, contacts, practical partnership and judiciously invested sums of money.

The Investing in Otley scheme has made a significant difference for the Chippendale Centre refurbishment, to completion of the Prince Henry’s 3G pitch, to Otley Cricket Club and, just this year, to Grove Hill Bowls Club and to Otley Common.

Community grants have supported a myriad of small ventures and projects. We have been successful in attracting outside money into the town for cycling and walking support, helping local travel become easier, healthier and more sustainable – in the last few months we have obtained West Yorkshire funding to improve the path to and from the Ilkley Road Underpass.

I am particularly delighted that a project I had a part in (and which, I am pleased to say, my wife, Cllr Sarah Hughes, also had a major part in) – the refurbishment of Otley Play Parks – was achieved so successfully.

There is no doubt that the Town Council’s financial contribution, but also its willingness to work with residents’ groups had a big impact on the outcome. The work of Sarah and Cllr Sylvia Thomson with the Friends of Weston Play Park was exemplary local Councillor community involvement.

Of course, I also want to acknowledge Leeds City Council’s willingness to prioritise this and thank Town Council colleagues for support and City Ward Councillors Colin Campbell (congratulations on your recent re-election, Colin), Sandy Lay and Ryk Downes for their crucial influence and contribution.

Protecting Otley

Early on in my time as Chair, we achieved a major endorsement of the Otley Neighbourhood Plan. This has informed our approach to planning and protecting our local environment.

It was key to our 28-page comment on the, frankly dreadful, original plans for the East of Otley development; I am delighted that our response was adjudged to have been significant in pausing that application.

We also declared a Biodiversity Emergency and every year we now sit down with colleagues from nature organisations to agree a plan to support our wildlife using local expertise and Council money.

We have invested in our Gallows Hill Nature Reserve and were delighted when just recently it was designated a Local Wildlife Area.

Investing in Otley

We have invested in our town centre and here I must pay tribute to Cllr Paul Carter who has led this support with huge energy, working closely with Otley BID and including organising the banners and new signage totems around town, and, this spring, launching the Made in Otley Awards.

And, of course, we have continued to organise town events including the Remembrance Day Parade and the Lights switch-on and to support our nearly 200 allotment holders.

Behind the scenes we have renewed our policies and put in place much better systems for managing Council (and therefore public) assets, ensuring better value for money. Credit is particularly due to Cllr Jo Allen for leadership in this area.

The Future

Throughout all of this, I have been part of a wonderful team of 15 Councillors, who all give their time freely, expertly and collaboratively. I have also worked with staff who have a heart for their job and for Otley, whether they have been at the Council 20 years and still love coming to work, or just a few months and bring energy, enthusiasm and new ideas.

Whilst I can’t help but look back at a time like this, I also look to the future. We have a capable replacement chair in Penny Robinson, and I will continue as Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee working with Wildlife Friendly Otley and other fantastic organisations and individuals committed to our local environment.

We have the Otley 800 celebrations to look forward to, a new Neighbourhood Plan, partnerships to nurture, money to invest and an east of Otley development to monitor and influence.

If you think you could be a part of that, let us know and who knows, perhaps you could end up having the time of your life as I have done.