Otley Town Council was born from the restructuring of local government in England in the mid 1970’s. The previous Rural and Urban District Councils were disbanded with most of their functions being transferred to Leeds Metropolitan City Council. The Town Council was created to cover the town and parish of Otley.

Otley Town Council was determined to represent the townsfolk from the very start and has kept its independent identity to be the legitimate, democratic voice of the community. The Council comprises 20 voluntary Councillors elected from within the Town every four years and has a structure of committees to carry out its functions

The Town Council is responsible, amongst others, for the Allotments in Otley and for gaining permission to use the Buttercross as a Charity Stall