ROS Brown is the Green Party candidate for the Ilkley Ward in the Bradford Council elections on May 6th.

Ros has lived in Ben Rhydding for over 12 years with her husband and children who attend local primary and secondary schools. She has worked as a headteacher, teacher and academic and is an Ilkley Harrier and member of her parish church involved with supporting its Fairtrade work.

Ros said: “As a resident in 2014 I spoke up at Bradford Council’s Local Plan public hearing against housing development on our local Green Belt and its effect on our overburdened infrastructure. Since then I’ve been involved with a range of local people and community groups working to care for the wellbeing of our residents and beautiful town. This includes being a founder member of Wharfedale Tackles Plastic and a member of the Aire Valley Against Incineration campaign steering group. In 2019 I was elected to Ilkley Town Council and have worked hard for local people as Deputy Mayor and as a town councillor on a range of local planning, environmental, transport and community matters and areas affecting children and young people.

“My involvement with the Ilkley Corona Response Group over the past year means I am well placed to build on good working relationships with a range of individuals, community groups and stakeholders to support our community’s recovery from this long year of restrictions. I will continue to serve Ilkley’s residents well through collaborating with, and challenging, elected representatives at town and Bradford Council level and our MP.

“I am keen to listen to the needs and ideas of all Ilkley’s residents to ensure we continue to be the best place to live in the North while dealing with the challenges of being a popular destination and seeking to alleviate the areas of hidden need in our community. I have shown myself to be a strong, independently-minded voice who can be counted on to stand up for local people and our precious environment. This is needed now more than ever in the face of the climate and biodiversity emergencies upon us.”