At the Ilkley Town Council Annual Meeting on Monday (12th May) the Council elected a new Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2025/26.
Along with a packed agenda for both meetings that included awarding City of Culture grants for local art projects and agreeing the provision and installation of new card payment machines in the car park toilets, the Council also formally approved its Committees, Policies and Procedures for the year ahead, as well as nominating representatives to local groups. In addition, the Council elected a new Town Mayor for 2025/26, Cllr Jane Gibson (who will chair the Council for the forthcoming municipal year) and a new Deputy Mayor, Cllr Amanda Simmonds.
Responding to her election, Cllr Jane Gibson, says:
"I am delighted to have been elected as Ilkley Town Mayor, and Chair to Ilkley Town Council with a majority. I love this town. On occasion, there has sometimes been division apparent in the Council, but I reach out to all Councillors to find common ground where we can work together. No one would enter the role of a councillor without good intentions, and I am proud of the fact that several diverse political groups have successfully worked together; I hope this may continue.
“I believe in social justice, fairness, opportunity, inclusion and community. I feel protecting our natural environment and our community resources is crucial. We have already supported the work of The Great Get Together in providing food parcels for families during school vacations. There is more to do to support community groups in and around Ilkley and its beautiful environment. These community groups are the town's lifeblood and make Ilkley the wonderful place it is. As a representative of the Council, I will continue to work to bring people together."
Deputy Town Mayor for 2025-26, Councillor Amanda Simmonds, has previously chaired the Council’s Finance and Assets and Green Spaces Committees. Cllr Simmonds says:
“I wanted to step up to represent the Town further, seeing my civic duty as a privilege. I want to make the most of the role to help the communities in Ilkley, the businesses, and Ilkley’s green spaces and heritage.”
Further details about Ilkley’s new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, along with the minutes from both meetings and information about new committee membership lists, will shortly be available on the Ilkley Town Council website: ilkleytowncouncil.gov.uk
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