A NEW Ilkley Town Mayor and Deputy Mayor have been elected at the annual meeting of Ilkley Town Council.

The annual meeting took place on Monday, May 13, and it is a statutory meeting at which the council formally approves its committees, policies and procedures for the year ahead, as well as nominating representatives to local groups and electing the town mayor and deputy mayor.

Councillor Damian Kearns was elected as mayor for the coming year and he will chair the council. Councillor Jane Gibson was elected as deputy mayor.

Responding to his election, Cllr Kearns said: “It is a great honour to have been elected as mayor of Ilkley, and I look forward to serving our wonderful community.

“I follow Cllr Karl Milner who set the bar very high during his term in office and I would like to thank him for his leadership and hard work.

“I have been really impressed by the hard work and achievements of volunteer groups in Ilkley and I look forward to helping and supporting them in any way I can.”

Newly-elected Deputy Mayor Cllr Jane Gibson added: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity of working as deputy mayor, supporting the mayor and the town council. I became a councillor in order to make a positive difference in Ilkley, particularly in promoting inclusion, youth opportunities, supporting community activities and enhancing our treasured green spaces.

“I look forward to having an active role in this culturally vibrant, community-rich gem of a town.”

Full meetings of Ilkley Town Council are usually held on the first Monday of each month at 7.30pm in the council chamber in Ilkley Town Hall, and members of the public are invited to attend.

The dates of these and other main committee meetings were agreed at the annual meeting, and can be found on the town council website at ilkleytowncouncil.gov.uk