Ilkley Town Council elected a new Town Mayor at its Annual Meeting on Monday, 11 May 2026.
Cllr Damian Kearns, who was previously Mayor during 2024–25, will chair the Council for the forthcoming municipal year alongside newly re-elected Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jane Gibson, Cllr Gibson was Deputy Mayor during 2024–25 and Mayor during 2025–26.
The ordinary monthly Full Council meeting followed the Annual Meeting where the Council, along with electing a new Town Mayor, formally approved its Committees, Policies and Procedures for the year ahead, as well as nominating representatives to local groups.
Responding to his re-election, Cllr Kearns says:
"I feel very privileged to be elected again as Ilkley Town Mayor. I am fortunate to have lived in Ilkley for 30 years, a beautiful town with a fantastic community that achieves amazing things, and which I am honoured to serve. I am delighted that Cllr Gibson was elected as Deputy Mayor; she shares our love of this place and served with distinction as mayor last year. I greatly value her support.
“I look to this community to do what we do best: innovate, campaign and organise for the good of our town and in that endeavour your Council will be here for you."
Councillor Jane Gibson says:
“I am delighted to be elected as Deputy Mayor for Ilkley Town Council. On returning to this role, I will continue to work hard for the whole of our community and support Cllr Kearns in his role as Mayor. I look forward to getting out in the community and to celebrating all the good work happening in Ilkley.”
Further details about Ilkley’s new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, along with the minutes from both meetings and information about new committee membership lists, will shortly be available on the Ilkley Town Council website: ilkleytowncouncil.gov.uk
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