COMMUNITY-minded villagers turned out to have their say over the way Burley-in-Wharfedale is run.

More than 40 people crammed into Burley Oaks Primary School for a public meeting to discuss how the changes sweeping local government could affect them.

Bradford City Council is hoping to place responsibility and services in the hands of local communities.

A local government sub-committee, of Burley Community Council advised

villagers of a number of options open to them.

These included remaining under the wing of Ilkley Parish Council and supporting its bid for more power; or remaining as Burley Community Council, whilst supporting more responsibility and a bigger budget for Shipley Area Panel.

A further option was to set up a Burley Parish Council, within the Shipley Area Panel system, and take responsibility for a limited range of services.

A large number of views were expressed, with the majority of villagers swaying towards the idea of establishing some form of parish council.

Fred Benjamin, of Hill Crescent, said: "It is always a good idea that the decisions are made at the point where the activities are to be carried out."

Andrew Horton, of Grange Road said: "Being a Burley person nearly all of my life, I remember when Ilkley took us over. We seemed to have less control over events and things that happened in the village.

"When Ilkley got swallowed by Bradford it got worse. If we let Ilkley take over again we will never be in control."

Fears were expressed that the council may bite off more than it could chew, in terms of finance.

But Dale Smith Bradford District Councillor (Rombalds, Con) said: "They do want to devolve power down into the communities because there are lots of things that the community as a whole can do better. It is an intention to go out to the people from all the parties to see what they think, how much responsibility they want, what is wrong, what is working.

"It follows that if there is that intention, there is the intention to put some money into it.

He continued: "Lets say Queens Hall costs £50,000 a year to run. If devolution really did work they would say to Burley, we will tie that at £50,000, you do a better job."

Coun Smith explained that if such a building was out in the hands of the community, it would also be possible to attract lottery grants and other funding, which are unavailable to the city council.

The possibility of raising a parish

precept to give a parish council a budget was also discussed.

Concerns were also raised about the impact of party politics on any future parish council.

Tony Kilner, of Bradford City Council's legal department, also explained the procedure for applying for parish council status.

Peter Ward explained that Menston, which at present falls under the same hat of Ilkley Parish, is not so far advanced in its consideration of the issue and would be holding further consultation.

An informal show of hands was taken at the end of the meeting, with the majority, 21 people, voting in favour of option four.

A report containing the recommendations and comments made at the meeting will now be forwarded to Bradford City Council.

Bruce Speed, a member of the subcommittee, who chaired the meeting, later told the Gazette: "There is a long way to go and a lot of questions to be asked and answered before any proper form of decision can be put to the

village.

"Although there seemed to be a bit

of a ground-swell towards a parish

council, I don't think we would want to leave people with the impression that that is the way it is going. There is a sea-change and it is up to us to grasp the opportunity and do what seems to be right."