Steve Kelly, principal of Keighley College has been appointed deputy chair of the Keighley Towns Fund board.
Steve has worked in the private, public and third sectors for over 30 years and has held positions in educational establishments including Director of Inclusive Education and SEND, Director of Student Services and Head of Learning in FE Colleges and Training Providers. Steve has run his own business working with national and regional bodies and has chaired a number of boards both in the private and public sector.
Steve said: “I am very honoured to be elected as vice-chair of the Towns Trust and am committed, along with other board members, to ensure that we focus on what is right for Keighley.
“This is a real opportunity to make a positive change for the future, bringing private public and community organisations together. As principal of Keighley’s College, it is important that we are at the heart of the community, providing skills, education and opportunities for all the citizens of the area to strive and prosper, both in the medium and long term.”
Ian Hayfield, who is the director of Hayfield Robinson Limited, has been appointed as chair of the new board, which will oversee the investment of up to £25m in Keighley’s economic development.
Mr Hayfield has acted as a commercial chartered surveyor in Keighley and Bradford district for 25 years representing a large number of local, regional and national companies. He has advised small, medium and large firms on all property-related matters. Ian is in contact with a wide range of business owners on a daily basis and has acted for a large number of local and regional commercial land owners and developers.
Ian said: “This is a chance for us all to work together to deliver real economic and social change for everyone.
“I want to bring all sectors of the community together to achieve the ‘change’ I have touched on.
“I’m extremely excited to be appointed as Chair and I know that my deputy chair Steve Kelly will be keen to listen to all the ideas that are presented to us and our fellow board members.
“In these testing and challenging times, we all must concentrate on the positives – I know we can do it – I invite all of Keighley to join me on this journey to deliver a better future for the town.”
Community, business and local leaders came together last week to start drawing up ambitious plans to transform Keighley’s economic growth prospects as part of the government’s Towns Fund.
The Keighley Town Deal Board will guide the Keighley part of the Towns Fund which is designed to ‘drive long term economic and productivity growth through investment in connectivity, land use, economic assets including cultural assets, skills and enterprise infrastructure.’
The board is made up of a group of stakeholders including the local MP, councillors, business representatives and local authority officers who have volunteered to support the development of an investment plan for Keighley.
The board will drive the council agenda as the investment plan begins to take shape.
Once the Town Investment Plan has been completed it will be submitted to the government in January 2021.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “I’ve worked with Ian on the Keighley BID and Airedale Partnership boards and I know there’s no one more passionate about promoting Keighley and the good things that go on in the area.
“This is a great opportunity for Keighley to secure investment in the town and build on some of the things already taking place such as the Hard Ings road improvement. I’m looking forward to working with the board to deliver that.”
The government has put together a website about the Towns Found Initiative and is encouraging local people to comment to inform the bidding process. Visit: mytown.communities.gov.uk
