Councillor Peter Madeley (Skipton Town)

Peter helps transform town council

Over the past ten years Councillor Peter Madeley has helped transform Skipton Town Council from a state in which auditors had to be called in to conduct a top-to-bottom review, to one in which it has won awards from the National Association of Local Councils.

When Peter became a town councillor in 2016, there were widespread concerns about the way the council was run. Following legal advice, auditors looked at operations, procedures and governance. Peter has played a leading role in seeing the report was implemented.

Among the savings made, more than three quarters of a million pounds has been cut from the wages bill over eight years. Market costs have been cut, without raising stallholders’ rents, and the Rackham’s shop lease renegotiated.

In 2025 the National Association of Local Councils awarded Skipton the silver award, following an earlier bronze. It said: “The council has worked from a very low base, to strengthen workplace practices, improve governance and create a structured operational framework.”

It added: “The council is operating on a solid foundation, with a continued commitment to excellence, accountability and effective day-to-day operations.”

A better market

The Council, with Peter in the lead, is now exploring a major project to completely overhaul and modernise the market. This project will require investment and collaboration with other councils, external organisations, industry experts, and of course, the market traders themselves.

The expertise, experience, and vision of market traders will be essential in shaping, the long-term future of the market.

By working together with all interested parties, the Council believes there is an opportunity to build a modern market, for the long term, that will enhance Skipton Town Centre and improve things for shoppers and businesses alike.

Peter says: “This project will take time, investment and commitment from everyone involved.”

A cenotaph fit for heroes

Work is to start this summer on restoration work to the cenotaph that stands at the top of Skipton High Street.

Years of neglect following the last work, which was completed more than 20 years ago, has left the monument to the town’s war dead in a dilapidated state.

Peter Madeley led calls for the cenotaph to be returned to the condition it was in when originally built, arguing that it is not only a symbol of remembrance, community pride and respect but also demonstrates the town’s commitment to the armed forces.

The council has now agreed to the £50,000 project.

Peter said: “We owe it to those who gave their lives to keep this important memorial in the condition it deserves.”