Conservative candidates Richard Downey, Andrew Loy, and Jane Sellers have been selected to stand in the Ilkley & Addingham ward in the Bradford Council elections on Thursday 7th May.
The election will see all 90 seats on Bradford Council contested following boundary changes, giving residents a rare opportunity to reshape the council.
All three candidates live in Ilkley and bring a variety of experience and record of involvement in the community.
Richard Downey has been active as a local campaigner, including opposing changes to parking charges in Ilkley. He presented a petition to Bradford Council on the issue last July and has continued to engage with residents on a range of local concerns since then. He brings experience from both the private sector and voluntary work supporting local heritage and community spaces.
Andrew Loy is one of the current Bradford councillors for Ilkley, having been elected in 2022. He has also served on Ilkley Town Council since 2021 and has been involved in campaigns relating to parking, the recycling centre, and against the plans for speed bumps across Ilkley, as well as supporting residents with day-to-day issues.
Jane Sellers is an Ilkley Town Councillor actively involved with community projects and a member of the Planning Committee. Jane has recently retired from the NHS and feels her involvement with the local community and previous business experience gives her the knowledge, confidence and opportunity to make a stand for Ilkley and Addingham residents and businesses as a district councillor.
Commenting on their selection, Cllr Andrew Loy said:
“Ilkley and Addingham residents deserve councillors who will stand up for them and focus on the issues that matter locally.
“Too often, we see decisions taken in Bradford that simply do not reflect the priorities of our local area, whether that is unfair parking charges, the loss of key services like our recycling centre, or pressure on our greenbelt.
“With all-out elections this year, residents have a real opportunity to change direction. Everyone will have three votes, and I would encourage people to use all three to back a strong local Conservative team.”
Richard Downey added:
“I have been out speaking to residents across Ilkley and Addingham, and the message is clear. People want councillors who listen, who are visible in the community, and who will work hard to deliver practical improvements.
“I am proud to be part of a team that is committed to doing exactly that.”
Cllr Jane Sellers said:
“Having lived in Ilkley for many years, I care deeply about our community and the services we rely on.
“I want to ensure that Ilkley and Addingham are properly represented in Bradford and that the interests of our residents and local businesses are not overlooked.”
The candidates said their priorities include fairer parking charges, protecting greenbelt land, and restoring local recycling facilities, alongside ensuring that Ilkley and Addingham receive their fair share of investment and services.
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