Meet the new Mayor
Published: 23 May 2022
Hello, I am Ian Skaife, the new Mayor of Pateley Bridge for the 2022/23 year of office. Many of you will know me from working in my father’s garage business at the top of the High Street for over forty years; for the latter twenty years I ran the business as a sole trader, eventually deciding to retire in August 2018.
I am very much a local lad having been born at 47 High Street, Pateley Bridge in 1962 to Edwin & Joan Skaife. My father was born in Fellbeck and my mother was from Knaresborough or at least she thought so until undertaking some family history research when it became clear that there was some strong family links within the Pateley area in the 19th century. I also have an older brother Martin, who now lives in Knaresborough with his family.
I am married to Chris who originates from Hull we have been married for 20 years having met on holiday in San Antonio Ibiza in the year 2000.
I was first elected to Pateley Bridge Town Council in June 1999 serving as Mayor twice in 2007/2008 & 2012/2013, in a first for the Town Council I was succeeded as Mayor by my wife Chris who served as Mayor2013/2014 also 2018/2019 & 2019/2020 before she retired from the Council in 2020. Both my wife and myself are committed in giving back to the community and are involved in many areas of the local community.
I am politically neutral on the Council as I believe that politics at our level should not be aligned to any political Party. I am very approachable and willing to help with any local concerns which are at a level that Pateley Bridge Town Council are able to deal with, I am also the Chair of the local emergency resilience group.
All Parishioners are welcome to attend our monthly Council meetings (first Tuesday in every month) where you are given two opportunities to raise any concerns you may have.
Regards Ian
