THE Green Party gained new councillors in the Ilkley and Craven wards 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 Ilkley and in Craven ward - which includes Silsden and Addingham - the Conservatives lost their council seat to the Green Party as Neil Whitaker was elected.
Anne Hawkesworth was first elected to Bradford Council back in 1990. After the results she said: "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."
In Wharfedale, which includes Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale, the Conservative Party's Bob Felstead retained his seat.
The overall results see Labour retain control of Bradford Council with 49 councillors on the 90 seat council – down from 53 before the vote.
Results:
Craven – Neil Charles Whitaker (Green) 2,455; George William Buckley (Con) 2,288; Andrew Mark James Knight (Lab) 736; Peter John Kaye (Yorkshire Party) 299; Leo Alexander Robinson (UKIP) 110, Paul Michael Mann (Lib Dem) 59.
Ilkley - Ros Brown (Green) 2,414; Joanne Sugden (Con) 2247; Anne Hawkesworth 988; Michael Baldwin (Lab) 694; John Briggs (Lib Dem) 58.
Wharfedale - Bob Felstead (Con) 1,913; Bernard O`Connor (Lab) 1,846; Chris Turner (Green) 418; Jamie Needle (Lib Dem) 328; Rachel Martins (Yorkshire Party) 148.
Ilkley also went to the polls in the Ilkley Town Council West Ward by-election.
Conservative candidate and long-time Ilkley resident Jane Sellers was elected with 1,024 votes. Green Party candidate Ros Brown achieved 867 votes.
Jane has lived in Ilkley for 40 years and has worked in the NHS for the past 12 years at Ilkley's Coronation Hospital.
Jane said: "I am delighted to be elected to Ilkley Town Council and very grateful to everyone who supported and voted for me. It will be an honour to represent the town I have lived and worked in for almost 40 years.
"Ilkley is a unique and special place. It’s history, culture and people are important to me. I aim to work for everyone to ensure we thrive, prosper and maintain our identity and independence.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here