Councillor Bob Felstead, not just talking the talk.

My primary and continued focus is to deliver what’s best for our local communities, Burley in Wharfedale, Menston and Ben Rhydding. The same rule must apply to the whole district. The services which council provide must deliver tangible benefits, and those policies are focused on obtaining best value for money when delivering services.

In my role as a District Councillor, there are few shortcuts and many issues are complex and difficult to address, others are less so. I take a collaborative approach to all the work that I undertake on behalf of residents across the district, and right here in the Wharfedale Ward, if it’s prudent to do so.

I consistently challenge council about economic, regeneration, planning and transport issues, many questions have been simply deflected or left inadequately answered. During the coming year, as I get closer to some of the information and data that underpins much of this activity, I will be examining and scrutinising much of the activity and asking some extremely challenging questions.

Latest news.

Local Democracy records.

In the interest of transparency, everyone can access my declarations of interest, committee appointments, remuneration and expenses.

Please visit https://bradford.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=15560

Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority committees.

• Council
• Governance and Audit Committee (Reserve) Conservative
• Shipley Area Committee (Reserve) Wharfedale Ward
• Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority – Overview & Scrutiny Committee
  • Combined Authority Board (Observer Member) Scrutiny Committee
  • Governance & Audit Committee (Observer Member) Scrutiny Committee
  • Investment Board (Observer Member) Scrutiny Committee
  • Weaver Network Board (Observer Member) Scrutiny Committee

Decision making Committees explained

The decision-making boards chaired by the Mayor as part of the newly adopted “tri-executive board” structure.

• Combined Authority Board
• Investment Board
• Weaver Network Board

Statutory committees every combined authority and established mayoral strategic authority must have by law.

• Governance & Audit Committee
• Scrutiny Committee

I sit on all of these committees and can question; but not report on exempt items. My position as scrutiny chair allows a forward look at the combined authorities workplans, and to determine whether items should be brought forward to scrutiny.

Other appointments.

• • Love Burley Charity (Treasurer) The object[s] of the CIO [is][are] for the public benefit, the relief of those in need, by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage, in such ways as the trustees see fit including, but limited to, providing social activities and/or services or facilities calculated to relieve the needs of such persons. Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the CIO for the purposes which are not charitable in accordance with [section 7 of the charities and trustee investment (Scotland) act 2005] and [section 2 of the charities act (Northern Ireland) 2008].
  • LBA Airport Consultative Committee. I have stepped down from this role for Burley Parish Council, but I continue work in this area on a personal basis, alongside retained and paid for airspace design consultants. Proposed Airspace Change Proposals and the Airspace Change Program are areas in which I continue to work, although these are not discussed in detail by the Airport Consultative Committee.

The Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) Consultative Committee (ACC) is a structured, quarterly forum connecting airport management with local authorities, parish councils, community groups, and businesses. See: https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/about-leeds-bradford-airport/our-community for further detail and updates on the ACC’s activity.

• See https://www.bradford.gov.uk/your-council/council-budgets-and-spending/statement-of-councillors-earnings/budgets-and-spending/statement-of-councillors-earnings/