A LONG-serving Keighley councillor ­– and former Lord Mayor of Bradford – is retiring.

Doreen Lee is stepping down in May after 16 years representing Keighley East on Bradford Council.

"I’ve met so many inspiring people," she says.

"My proudest achievement was working with fellow councillors and the then MP Ann Cryer to get damp housing on the Woodhouse estate demolished and rebuilt. Helping during the floods in 2015 was also memorable.

"It has been a joy to have helped everyone who came to me for support, and I was honoured to spend an unprecedented two years as Lord Mayor during the pandemic.

"Being a councillor is an honour and a privilege, but it is also hard work. It means a lot of evenings and weekends away from family, and I’ve decided now is the time to put them first."

Long Lee finance worker Lisa Robinson has been chosen by Labour to defend the seat at May's council elections.

She won a district-wide Community Stars Award for supporting vulnerable people during the pandemic, and was part of the team that got Hainworth Wood Community Centre back up and running after its roof was blown off in gales in March, 2021.

"I’m honoured and so pleased to have been chosen as candidate," she says.

"I respect Doreen so much. She has made a huge impact on this area and I hope I can take up her mantle.

"I enjoy helping people and getting things done in the area already, so doing so as part of a team of councillors would be fantastic.

"People are always calling me to help with this or that, and it seems a natural fit to take this step. I feel strongly that people’s voices should be heard and I will make sure they are."

Keighley East councillors Malcolm Slater and Caroline Firth have paid tribute to their departing colleague, and welcome the choice of candidate to contest the seat.

"We will miss Doreen so much – she has been a wonderful colleague and will remain a good friend," they said.

"We’ve known and worked with Lisa for years on various projects. She’s helped lead the opposition to a proposed housing development in Long Lee, she staged a Jubilee afternoon tea event, and she serves on the patient participation group at her local GP surgery. It shows how hard she works. We would make a great team."