SPORTS and community facilities and low cost housing are to head Otley and Wharfedale's wish list.

Every effort is to be made to improve the three poorly served areas by the newly formed Community Involvement Team (CIT).

The CIT, which has an annual budget of around £30,000, says it will do what it can to improve the three areas of concern.

Councillor Phil Coyne, CIT chairman, told last week's meeting he wanted to prioritise community facilities at Otley's Cross Green Centre and public sports facilities at Prince Henry's Grammar School.

He also wanted to see an improvement in the availability of low cost housing so first time buyers would not have to move out of the area. "The Cross Green Community Centre is the central youth and community service centre in this area but its condition at the moment leaves a lot to be desired.

"We are asking children and the community to come and use these facilities but they are quite frankly unacceptable."

The centre is to have £150,000 spent on it some time next year but Coun Coyne said in addition every effort should be made to make it a focal point for the community.

He added sports facilities in Otley were another area of concern and always featured largely in any public census.

"The lack of sports facilities has been identified as a key priority amongst residents.

"I suspect that we are not going to get the sports lottery money for Prince Henry's and I think it is necessary to have a fall back," he said.

Coun Coyne said it was vitally important that work was carried out on the Chippendale Pool.

"The heating system is on the verge of collapse and the changing rooms are unacceptable. We live in a community that has a river running through it and children need to be able to swim safely."

Coun Coyne said the third area of concern was affordable housing and that some houses did not have central heating.

"Decent housing is the basis of decent health," he said.