The chairman of Haworth Parish Council has warned that smaller councils cannot take on new powers if they cannot afford to exercise them.

Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council chairman, John Huxley (left), was addressing his parish’s annual meeting, when he raised the issue of services being devolved to the parish level.

He said that while he and fellow councillors were willing to take on more responsibilities, unburdening Bradford Council from duties like toilet cleaning and running car parks, they could only do so if they had the funds.

He said: “The Government has offered us powers to have a larger say on behalf of the people in the parish – and we want them.

“But I’ve got a message for David Cameron and his government. If you want us to do a task, give us the tools to do the job.”

He added that Bradford Council also needed to come to terms with the Government’s Localism Act, and understand that smaller authorities, such as Haworth, were in a position to help Bradford.

He added: “We can help, but it means loosening two things, a grip on overall power and purse strings.”