THIS week's surprise announcement that the parish council vice-chairman is to bow out of local politics this year leaves Ilkley in a bit of a quandary. Parish councillor Heathcliffe Bowen, although a young man in council terms, has been around the town hall scene for as long as many can remember.

But his forthcoming resignation has more than just personal implications for the rest of the councillors. Coun Bowen has been very much an integral part of the town hall revolution which has taken place over the past two years.

In many ways he has been seen as the right-hand man of present chairman Michael Gibbons in the drive to introduce changes at the town hall. Furthermore, it was widely seen as a foregone conclusion that Coun Bowen, if re-elected in May, would become the next chairman to carry on the momentum already gained.

The introduction of a local precept leading to the creation of a parish council with financial clout to carry through its own agenda has not been without detractors and vehement critics. Taking on responsibility for quite a sizeable budget was the first step in the attempt to cast off the image, formed in some quarters, of the parish council as a dusty, ineffectual talking shop without power.

It remains to be seen after May's parish council elections who will be willing take on the mantle of chairman and continue with the next stage of the transformation.

Adopting more responsibility for services such as toilets and public buildings in Ilkley is the goal, but who will volunteer to take the blame if things go wrong or to become the often unjustified target of criticism levelled at Ilkley Parish Council for rocking the boat in the first place.

The town is in need of a strong leader with a very broad, back, and equipped with long-term vision to complete the transformation from a quaint local government anachronism into a vibrant and relevant civic body.

Any volunteers?