The Green Party has gained a new Councillor in the Ilkley ward of Bradford Council in the local elections, with long-standing Councillor Anne Hawkesworth losing her seat after 34 years.
Ros Brown was elected as a new District Councillor to represent the town - she is one of three Councillors for Ilkley alongside Andrew Loy and David Nunns, whose seats weren't being contested this year.
Anne Hawkesworth was first elected to Bradford Council back in 1990 and served as a Conservative member until 2013. Since that time she has been an Independent councillor. In her time on the Council she served on the executive for 9 years overseeing the environmental department and was also Conservative group leader until 2011.
Anne told Ilkley Chat: "I am obviously bitterly disappointed to have lost I have been honoured and pleased to represent my wonderful Ilkley for 34 years.
"As a child living in central Bradford, I likened Ilkley to Hollywood, because of view of outdoor pool from Cow and calf. It would have been a dream then to have thought I could steer Ilkley through these past years.
"I now need to find another route to help keep Ilkley special.."
Ilkley's Mayor, Cllr Karl Milner, said on X: "Congratulations to Ros Brown (Green Party) Cllr for Ilkley.
"Ilkley is changing politically. Can I also say thank you to Cllr Hawksworth who has given many years of service to the Town as a true blue and an independent respectfully."
Election Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Outcome |
Ros Brown | Green Party | 2414 | 38% | Elected |
Joanne Sugden | Conservative | 2247 | 35% | Not elected |
Anne Gillian Hawkesworth | Independent | 988 | 15% | Not elected |
Michael Andrew Baldwin | Labour | 694 | 11% | Not elected |
John Briggs | Liberal Democrats | 58 | 1% | Not elected |
Voters in Ilkley West were also picking a new Town Councillor in this week's elections, with two candidates, one being Ros Brown, to choose from, Jane Sellers for the Conservatives was elected with a 54% share of the vote.
Election Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Outcome |
Jane Isabel Sellers | Conservative | 1024 | 54% | Elected |
Ros Brown | Green Party | 867 | 46% | Not elected |