Otley Town Council elections

Your Labour team

Getting the Town Council to do more

One Labour candidate for each Town Council ward. An experienced team to improve the town.

Not sure which ward you are in? You can check on Otley Town Council’s website

Linda Richardson

Prince Henry ward – your Labour town council candidate

Prince Henry…

has great resources like the park, playground, skate park, two schools, two convenience stores, and the 3G pitch now under way. But there are also issues like traffic congestion, concerns about the impact of the 3G pitch, no dedicated indoor space for community use, and no play areas outside the park.

Getting a better deal for Otley

You’ve told us you want better services, community spaces, and affordable homes. The Lib Dems support business and tourism, but your Labour team wants to make sure everyone in the community feels included. Labour will bring together groups in the community to improve lives through social, economic or environmental projects like after-school activities, support for business start ups, and greener energy schemes. We’ll help community groups get funding and support for their projects, reaching out to all the other organisations who have resources we can draw on.

About Linda

I moved back to live in Otley 12 years ago so we could be nearer to our daughters and grand-children. I work for a large children’s charity and have always worked with and on behalf of children and young people.

I’m deeply committed to work alongside others on local projects but I’m especially interested in making sure that children and young people have their own spaces in Otley: places to play, places to meet and places where they can try out new things.

Read Labour’s manifesto for Otley Town Council

Listening to you

Contact me about your concerns and what improvements you want to see. I’ll be a visible and active member of the town council. I’ll work with other town council members to get action, whether it’s potholes, traffic problems or supporting community projects like the Lido.

Vote LABOUR on Thursday May 4th

Alex Eve

Ashfield ward – your Labour town council candidate

Ashfield ward

The Weston estate, the hospital development, the new houses above Meagill Rise – Ashfield is a diverse area which has seen a lot of new housing, but not the facilities, services and traffic solutions to match the changes.

Getting a better deal for Otley

You’ve told us you want better services, community spaces, and affordable homes. The Lib Dems support business and tourism, but your Labour team wants to make sure everyone in the community feels included. Labour will bring together groups in the community to improve lives through social, economic or environmental projects like after-school activities, support for business start ups, and greener energy schemes. We’ll help community groups get funding and support for their projects, reaching out to all the other organisations who have resources we can draw on.

About Alex

I have three grown-up kids and three grandchildren. I’ve lived in Otley for over ten years and I think the community spirit is amazing.

I used to work with young people and taught design, woodwork, and photography.

Now that I’m retired, I like to stay active. You may see me delivering vegetable boxes in your area. I’m involved in Otley 2030, and the East of Otley Action Group. I still run half-marathons, and I want to encourage more physical activities for kids and young people. I will champion the town council’s work on the climate emergency, especially action that helps Ashfield households struggling with food and energy bills.

Read Labour’s manifesto for Otley Town Council

Listening to you

Labour will push for action on issues that concern you such as the poor bus service north of the river, potholes, street cleaning, parking, speeding hotspots, and flooding on Meagill Rise. I will push for action from the town council and other services on any issues you raise.

Vote LABOUR on Thursday May 4th

Nigel Gill

Manor ward – your Labour town council candidate

Manor

Manor ward covers the town centre, facing issues such as traffic congestion, unreliable bus services, a bus station that’s too small, and re-development of the landmark Civic Centre and Methodist Church. With town council members and partner organisations, I’ll push for progress on these key issues.

Getting a better deal for Otley

You’ve told us you want better services, community spaces, and affordable homes. The Lib Dems support business and tourism, but your Labour team wants to make sure everyone in the community feels included. Labour will bring together groups in the community to improve lives through social, economic or environmental projects like after-school activities, support for business start ups, and greener energy schemes. We’ll help community groups get funding and support for their projects, reaching out to all the other organisations who have resources we can draw on.

About Nigel

I’ve lived in Otley all my life. I work for a green energy company. I’m active in the community as Chair of Otley Carnival and Director of Otley Action for Older People. I served two full terms as a town councillor and was Town Mayor from 2014 to 2015.

During my terms, as well as supporting community projects I handled a wide range of residents’ problems, such as antisocial behaviour, street cleaning, bin collections, and potholes. I’ll use this experience to get things done for you.

Read Labour’s manifesto for Otley Town Council

Listening to you

I will be a visible and active town councillor, working hard to tackle residents’ needs and problems.

With my town council experience and involvement in community organisations, I will also be a champion for community development, bringing groups together and helping them get funding for new projects.

Vote LABOUR on Thursday May 4th

Graham Hill

West Chevin ward – your Labour town council candidate

West Chevin

Issues you’ve raised include the unreliable 962 bus service, lack of green spaces for older children, funds needed to improve and maintain Caxton Road and Grove Hill play areas, and getting progress on Phase 1 of the Wharfedale Greenway scheme. I’ll push for action on these and any other issues you raise.

Getting a better deal for Otley

You’ve told us you want better services, community spaces, and affordable homes. The Lib Dems support business and tourism, but your Labour team wants to make sure everyone in the community feels included. Labour will bring together groups in the community to improve lives through social, economic or environmental projects like after-school activities, support for business start ups, and greener energy schemes. We’ll help community groups get funding and support for their projects, reaching out to all the other organisations who have resources we can draw on.

About Graham

I am an accountant, now retired after a career in senior finance and manage-ment roles with large companies in the UK and abroad. I’ve lived in the area for more than 20 years and have two adult daughters, one a midwife and one training to be a teacher.

I’ve worked across a range of industries – construction, oil and gas, and defence. If elected, I will make sure the town council is spending your money wisely, providing value for money services for the long-term benefit of everyone in the community.

Read Labour’s manifesto for Otley Town Council

More for your money

I’m committed to making sure the town council’s financial decisions are open, responsible and have clear results. Labour will look beyond promoting tourism and business, to develop value for money services that make everyone in the community feel included, especially those struggling with food and energy bills.

Vote LABOUR on Thursday May 4th

Re-elect Richard Davies

Danefield ward – your Labour town council candidate

For the past two years, I have been an active and committed Otley Town Councillor for Danefield Ward, working together with residents, other councillors and officers, community groups and businesses to tackle things that needed doing.

This has not always been easy, but working collaboratively with other people and groups I have been able to progress a number of my priorities and resolve problems which have cropped up. Here are a few examples:

East of Otley: I am heavily involved in talks with Leeds City Council planners, the town council, and community groups, such as Otley 2030, to make a robust response to unsuitable development proposals. I submitted a 10-page detailed response and was also active in discussions with LCC Rights of Way staff about formally recognising footpaths around the Cambridge estate.

Anti-Social Behaviour: Drug-dealing and associated anti-social behaviour in the ward has upset nearby residents. I worked with the local police, LCC Housing and Anti-Social Behaviour Teams, and other councillors to address the issue of problem tenants being placed near vulnerable people. This led to a stronger response from the authorities, and the issues seem to have been resolved to the satisfaction of the residents.

Community Facilities: Otley needs more community facilities and has too many empty buildings. I’ve worked for two years with the Town Council and community groups to deliver the 3G Artificial sports pitch at Prince Henry’s. I help organise the Otley Live Music Festival. I’m also involved in developing a community bid to acquire the Methodist Church for community use.

Street Cleansing: A number of areas in the ward haven’t had their gullies or drains cleaned for years due to on-street parking. I liaised with LCC to organise a day of action to sweep streets and pavements and jetwash blocked gullies around Cambridge Street.

Road Safety:I pushed for speed indicator devices (SIDs) to be used at speeding hotspots in Danefield Ward. The Leeds Road SID will be relocated, and one or two more may be set up on larger roads in the next two years, based on traffic surveys. There are also plans for 20mph zones in many parts of town.

Potholes: Various streets in the ward – such as Albion St, South View Terrace and Orchard Street – have poor road surfaces. Full resurfacing is not planned in the near future, so I liaised with LCC Highways to persuade them to patch surfaces and fill potholes in the meantime.

Richard’s priorities

for Danefield ward in the next 4 years

East of Otley Development: work with planners, city and town councillors and community groups to stop an inappropriate development and make sure the plans provide quality sustainable homes, affordable housing for young people, more green spaces and sites for sports clubs, and less traffic coming into the town.

Community Facilities: work with local groups and the Town Council to acquire a community hub to provide spaces for local groups to meet and widen the range of cultural events.

Cleaner Streets: work with senior Leeds councillors and officers to get better local services, especially pothole-filling, blocked drains and street cleaning.

Road Safety: lobby Town Council colleagues to prioritise speed indicator devices in and around Danefield Ward where speed limits are ignored.

Bus Services: keep working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and bus companies to get more reliable bus services round the Cambridge Estate.

Access to the Chevin: work with Leeds to restart the Chevin Users Forum and look at ways to improve parking, signposting and access from the town, making the Chevin a better place for the community and the environment.

Vote LABOUR on Thursday May 4th

A LABOUR MANIFESTO FOR OTLEY TOWN COUNCIL 2023

Labour wants to make Otley a better place to live by supporting its economy, helping to create jobs, and making sure there are homes that people can afford. We also want to make sure everyone feels included in the community, and we’ll work to build on what makes Otley special.

Liberal Democrats have run Otley Town Council for 8 years. But even with an overwhelming majority and a typical town council precept of £91.03 per household per year, they haven’t stepped up to provide the services people need when they are struggling with the cost of living crisis. Labour would do more for your money.

Otley needs energetic councillors from across all political parties to tackle these challenges. It’s time for a change – for new ideas and new faces. Your local Labour Party is committed to five goals to improve local services.

Precept: An extra cost to pay for town council activities, added to your council tax bill.
Otley’s precept is £91.03 a year for Band D households. Are you getting good value for the money the town council spends?

Get better services for Otley

• Improve the quality of services like highway repairs and street cleaning – working with senior Leeds councillors and officers.
• Secure more frequent and affordable bus services to Leeds, Ilkley, Harrogate, and Menston station – working with Labour Mayor Tracy Brabin, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and bus companies.

Develop Otley sustainably

• Put into action the key goals of the Otley Neighbourhood Plan so these are at the heart of Town Council investment decisions.
• Make sure the East of Otley development meets Neighbourhood Plan requirements, and creates a legacy to be proud of.
• Work with owners of empty properties in the town to transform these for new uses.

Otley’s Neighbourhood Plan, (see otleytowncouncil.gov.uk), voted for by local people, called for the town to be developed sustainably – to stimulate the economy, look after the health of the community and protect the environment.

Improve community facilities

• With other organisations, look for ways to create more spaces and services that the community needs.
• Work with the city council and sports organisations to find money for improving sports and recreation facilities, especially for young people.
• Work with Leeds and local groups to create more services for young people, such as safe meeting places and youth centres.

Support the local economy and community wellbeing

• Work with local business groups to solve issues of concern and create more local jobs.
• North of the river, work with other organisations to see if we can get more frequent buses, and more shops and health care services such as a GP or pharmacy, so as to reduce car journeys into town.
• Work with planners to make sure 35% of new houses built (1 in 3) is affordable to rent or buy in line with city council requirements.

Protect Otley’s environment

• Help local groups and businesses to make Otley more energy-efficient and encourage sustainable living.
• Support environmental groups and rewilding projects, and explore whether it’s possible to extend Gallows Hill Nature Reserve towards Pool Road.
• Improve management of the Chevin as a valuable community and environmental resource, working with LCC and restarting the Chevin User Forum.

Do you want the Town Council to do more for your area?

The town council is run by Lib Dems. Labour has one town councillor, Richard Davies, in Danefield Ward, but he is a lone Labour voice.

Labour can do a lot more with more councillors. This year we have a team of FIVE strong local candidates – one for each town council ward.

There are either 2 or 3 town council seats in each ward. BUT if you want Labour to win, please use only ONE vote. If you also vote for candidates from other parties, Labour has less chance of winning a seat in your ward.

If you want Labour to win in your ward, please use only ONE vote

Vote LABOUR on Thursday May 4th