Keighley Town Council ‘acted beyond powers’ - police

However, detectives have concluded that the council had acted beyond its powers when making certain decisions.

The conclusion has been revealed in a letter to Keighley MP Kris Hopkins who asked police to investigate the authority last year.

His intervention came after The Yorkshire Post revealed how auditors had raised concerns over spending in the 2012/13 financial year including the purchase of two horses, Christmas lights and payments to a contractor.

It is known at least one person was interviewed under caution as part of the investigation which considered whether there was evidence of fraud.

In his letter to Mr Hopkins, Detective Inspection Ian Lawrie wrote: “I can now confirm that a detailed and lengthy police investigation has taken place into various aspects of the auditor’s reports. Following this investigation no evidence of criminal conduct was found.”

Det Insp Lawrie wrote that a number of decisions had been taken outside the powers of the authority.

“The police investigation found that there was a lacking of training and understanding around individual roles,” he continued.

The detective said that training carried out in response to the auditor’s report would address the issues.

Keighley Town Council is now under the leadership of new mayor Javaid Akhtar and Mr Hopkins expressed confidence in his leadership.

The MP said: “I am happy to offer whatever support I can to help the council get back to doing what it has done well in the past - serving local residents and spending their hard-earned money wisely.”