Bradford Council has welcomed a new chair to the inaugural Keighley Town Board.
As part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, Keighley was awarded £33.6m via the Towns Fund for its Town Investment Plan in 2021, and has since has been allocated up to £20m to deliver a Long Term Plan.
The Keighley Town Board has been set up to deliver both plans and is made up of representatives from local businesses as well as charitable and voluntary organisations, with support from Bradford Council.
The newly-elected chair Tim Rogers is the CEO of Future Transformation, a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to close the digital divide and reverse climate change. Born and raised in Keighley, Tim is a fellow of the University of Bradford as well as chair of the Digital Makers Operational Board and sits on various boards across the region with a STEM focus. Tim is also on the DSIT Cyber Security Board advising on policy and skills provision.
Tim said: “Keighley has some of the most recognisable and important cultural assets of the whole district with the Worth Valley Railway, the heritage of the Brontë’s, our buildings such as Cliffe Castle, incredible local businesses like Timothy Taylors and so much more.
“My vision is to use this multi-million pound investment from the public purse to create an environment where the private sector can see a sustainable return on any investment – allowing Keighley to realise it’s potential in its economy, skills, heritage, creativity and transport aspirations.
“In order to do that we all need to be on the same page and we need to work together in a truly collaborative way. I want to hear from people in all Keighley’s communities, and from businesses, schools and colleges in Keighley on what they want to see. This really is our time to shape our own future over the next ten years and beyond. And it will happen with everyone supporting it.”
Tim will oversee the delivery of some of the board’s pivotal projects such as the Providence Park development, the Community Grants programme, the Town Centre Infrastructure project and the Capital Assistance to Business Growth grants.
Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “The previously-established Keighley Towns Fund board has already been successful in delivering some excellent work. With the additional funding through the Long Term Plan, the vision for Keighley will now be developed further and this will of course take previous plans for the town into consideration.
“We are pleased to welcome Tim as chair to drive the work of the Keighley Town Board. With his experience, he will be an asset to the team. These are exciting times for Keighley. The level of investment in the town is significant and it will be transformative.”
