Major issues for voters says council chairman

The very make-up of the council itself could be changed forever during the next few years if Burley-in-Wharfedale and Men-ston succeed in forming their own local authorities.

Bradford Council's decision to stop funding the running costs of parish bodies across the district, meanwhile, means that from next March Ilkley will have to raise an extra precept, or tax, to pay for itself.

That will add a new administrative burden to the role of councillors - and mean they are more accountable than ever to a public who, for the first time, will be financing them.

Ilkley Parish Council chairman Mike Gibbons says these changes will all represent new challenges which he hopes the public will help meet, by going out and voting on Thursday, May 1.

He said: "I believe people should take part in the democratic process, one reason being the old one that if you don't take part it is difficult to complain about the result afterwards.

"There are a number of issues, quite important issues, facing local government with regard to legislation being passed by Westminster. We shall need good people at the helm to look at these things, assess them and, where necessary, seek to amend them for the benefit of all.

"Very locally, in Ilkley we have our own concerns with developments, highways, general planning and environmental issues and the sustainability of our way of life.

"I think the current council have acted well in all of these areas but we will need to build on that good work."

Turning to the possibility of Menston and Burley breaking away to start their own councils, Coun Gibbons said he hoped that wouldn't affect the results.

"I hope the individual issues of parish councils for Burley and Menston will not become an issue at this election," he said.

"I think it's generally accepted now that if it is the overwhelming desire of the residents of those communities to form their own councils then it's unlikely anyone would stand in their way.

"I would very much regret anyone standing on a single issue because the work of the parish council is for the community as a whole."

He also urged those who were disillusioned with national politics to see beyond the party lines at local level.

He said: "It's more often than not been the case in recent years that members stand under a banner of a political party, but most would recognise that party politics play little or no part in the effective running of the parish council.

"Members see themselves as purely acting in the interests of the local community, and I'm extremely proud of the work that individual councillors do for their area."

In fact the Chairman of Burley Community Council, Bruce Speed, says it is vital for people to become actively involved in these parish council elections.

He said: "We mustn't let the existing democratic system fall into disrepute. There has to be continuity, and the whole process must continue within the rules of what exists now.

"If people are apathetic and don't care about what's gong on then first of all you don't get the necessary support for the good things, and secondly the bad things happen and damage the community because there's nobody there to stop them.

"As well as voting people also need to understand a little bit about what those who are standing for election are saying, so they can make an informed choice.

"We may be pursuing the option of forming our own parish council, but you can't have a vacuum in Ilkley and come May I shall be putting a cross on a box as I feel appropriate."