I RECEIVED my council tax bill for 2022-23 this week and noticed as expected that it had gone up again.

What struck me in particular was how the different bits of the bill had risen. Bradford Council's part was up by 2.99 per cent, which is probably the maximum that it can inflict upon us without a referendum. Police and fire have gone up by 4.73 and 7.44 per cent respectively. Perhaps the recent fire at Dalton Mills has contributed to this. Certainly there is no sign of more police on the streets!

What was astonishing was the 21.2 per cent rise from Keighley Town Council. I am not sure how this rise can be justified when there is no obvious reason for the increase. Is looking after allotments going to be more expensive? Is it going on refreshments at town council meetings now they are back in face-to-face sessions?

Will the mayor, in the spirit of democratic transparency, give Keighley residents a comprehensive breakdown of last year’s budget and tell us how it compares with the other councils of Silsden, Haworth, Oxenhope and Ilkley?

Mary Humphreys, Riddlesden

* Keighley town mayor, Councillor Julie Adams, responds: "Each year the town council sets its precept – for the upcoming year, a Band D property will be £48.11 or £4.01 per month. This has increased by 70 pence per month on the precept amount for last year. In comparison, Steeton with Eastburn Parish Council charges £45.70, Ilkley charges £47.11 and Haworth, Stanbury and Cross Roads charges £45.03.

"It also worth noting that over 70 per cent of households in Keighley are in Bands A-C and will pay less than the Band D amount stated.

"For their £4 per month the residents of Keighley contribute towards the following – over £70,000 in grants to support local groups and organisations to undertake their work; the upkeep and maintenance of the Town Hall Square and cenotaph, maintaining 13 allotment sites across Keighley and planting 20,000 trees to help play our part in climate change; over £20,000 for community development projects, and access to the civic centre which is available for hire and hosts numerous functions throughout the year; and over a dozen events hosted in the town centre, which are all free to attend, supporting local businesses and encouraging footfall into the town centre. This year Keighley will also host the Yorkshire celebrations for Yorkshire Day, showcasing everything that is brilliant about our town.

"I could go on but I think for the £4 per month, the town council provides excellent value for money. The town council publishes all its financial information on its website on a monthly basis and all our committee meetings are open to the members of the public – you can find more information at keighley.gov.uk."

** Email your letters to alistair.shand@keighleynews.co.uk