THE population of Skipton is almost 13,000. So how many of those residents turned up for the council's area forum, to enable them to put forward their views and grumbles last year?

The answer is one - and he didn't live in the town anyway! No wonder that Skiptonians have a reputation for apathy.

This year Marcia Turner, who will be chairing the Skipton Area Forum, wants to ensure that a good turnout comes to voice their opinions.

Skipton is the last of the Craven centres of population to hold its area forum and there has been a good turnout in other areas.

'Skipton has one quarter of the population so they really should have a big say on what direction they think the town can be heading,' said Coun Turner, who represents the west ward on Craven District Council.

'It's no good grumbling to a neighbour as it never gets through to the full council. This is the chance for all views and opinions to get straight to the officers.'

There are many major issues facing the town, not least how to cope with parking problems, and Coun Turner said the area forum was a place to ensure that Skipton voices were heard and fed back.

Among other issues she cited as major topics for discussion were changes to road gritting programmes, the introduction of wheelie bins, the policy on dog fouling, and traffic congestion.

'All of these will have a major impact on the lives of Skipton people, so we really do want people to come along,' said Coun Turner.

The Skipton area forum takes place in the town hall on Wednesday December 2 at 7.30pm.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.