District councillor Barry Thorne has made a call for an end to the in-fighting at Keighley Town Council and for the councillors to start working together for the benefit of Keighley.

Cllr Thorne's comments, the main thrust of his victory speech after last week's elections, have understandably upset quite a number of those town councillors who have been working for the good of the town.

It is an issue which has been raised over the past few weeks, and one which has hopefully already been put to bed with the new town council ready to build on the achievements and make even more positive progress.

What is for certain is that it is time to consign the negative events of the first year of the Town Council to the history books and move forward.

It is no secret that some district councillors had little or no time for the new town council. Thankfully that attitude is changing, with relations between the town council and Bradford Council greatly improving.

With this in mind it is time to lead by example through working together to achieve those benefits Keighley richly deserves. For example, the district councillors and the town councillors could publicly join forces in a campaign to ensure the town's Carnegie Library is restored to much of its former glory in time for the centenary year celebrations.

Then there's the college rebuild and associated town centre redevelopment. Let's not forget the need to resolve the growing traffic problems facing the town which could put the brakes on economic development.

Constructive criticism has its place as long as it is accompanied by a forward strategy, including matching the rhetoric with endeavour.

Actions speak louder than words.