Council Staff

Joe has been our Town Clerk since January 2020. The role of Town Clerk as most senior officer in the Council has responsibility for the strategic management of the Town Council, to advise the Council on all matters, helping to develop policies and strategies and ensuring the legality of all decisions. It also the Town Clerk’s role to ensure decisions taken by members are implemented by Officers.

Joe has over 15 years experience in various Local Government roles and has a background in Project and Event Management In his spare time, Joe is Secretary to Colne Football Club, volunteers at the Hippodrome Theatre in Colne and enjoys the odd cruise. Joe lives in Colne, Lancashire with his wife, Michelle.

Email – joe.cooney@keighley.gov.uk

Pip Gibson joined the Council in April 2019 and serves as our Deputy Town Clerk, occupying the second most senior position, deputising for the Town Clerk in his absence.

Pip leads a significant portion of our staff team and oversees the Council’s community engagement initiatives, bringing over 20 years of experience in community development to the forefront.

Outside of work, Pip enjoys hiking and quality time with her family and lives in the Keighley Parish.

Email – pip.gibson@keighley.gov.uk

Email – brian.morris@keighley.gov.uk

Louise is our Community Development Officer and has been in the role since January 2023. The role involves coordinating and managing community initiatives, events and projects.

Louise has a degree in English Literature and a PGCE qualification and was formerly a community-based lecturer for an FE college & CLLD project and an ESOL tutor before taking on this role.

Email – louise.soothill@keighley.gov.uk

Liz has been with Keighley Town Council since January 2023 and is responsible for general administration. She deals with anything from preparing agendas for committee meetings, to the administration of our grant scheme.

Liz previously worked for West Yorkshire Police for 26 years.

In her spare time Liz likes to walk on the moors above Haworth and Oakworth where she lives.

Elisabeth joined Keighley Town Council in July 2023 as Maternity cover for Events officer.

Elisabeth has a background in marketing and events and graduated from Leeds Trinity university with a degree in broadcast Journalism.

In April 2024 Elisabeth changed role to be the Marketing and communications officer and has recently built and launched this brand new website!

In her spare time she enjoys going to watch Burnley FC and spending time with family

Email – elisabeth.king@keighley.gov.uk

Email – annabelle.king@keighley.gov.uk

Steve has been the Mayor’s Attendant since July 2023.

The role as Mayor’s Attendant is to arrange the Mayor’s bookings, get the Mayor or Deputy Mayor to and from events on time and the right place. Drive him if necessary, and to liaise on bookings.

In his spare time, he volunteers at 3 local charities, Keighley scout’s where he has been a scout leader for 20 years. Silsden Town hall, where he is a trustee. Silsden gala committee, where he is the joint chairperson.

Email – steve.clayton@keighley.gov.uk

Emily has been our Estates Admin Assistant since October 2023.  In this role she is responsible for the administration of the 12 allotment sites held by Keighley Town Council.  This involves things like maintaining the waiting lists, completing the paperwork for new tenants, keeping the allotments database up to date as well as being the primary point of contact for allotment tenants.  She is also responsible for dealing with the bookings for the hall and other room hire in the Civic Centre.

Emily has had a varied career which has included being a project manager for an American investment bank and working as a conveyancing assistant for a firm of solicitors.

When not at work, Emily and her partner David enjoy looking after their small flock of sheep and handful of cattle.  Emily is also a keen crafter, enjoying things like stained glass, felting and crochet.

Email – emily.alina@keighley.gov.uk

Luke joined April 2024 as a ground maintenance operative, He has an extended diploma in countryside management and conservation. The past few years he has been working with in the pest control industry, as well as working in the agriculture sector.

Matt has over 16 years experience in management accounts and has worked in both the private and charity sectors.

In his spare time Matt volunteers for Keighley Scouts in Haworth and is also a trustee for his church in the centre of Keighley.   He lives in Crossroads with his wife Catherine and he has 2 teenage sons and a stepson.