Ilkley'S 'millennium misery' deepened this week as a £5,000 scheme to mark the new century was rubbished as 'old hat'.

Parish councillors decided their contribution to the town's celebrations would be a fundraising campaign to provide the district's children with millennium mugs.

But this decision did not receive unanimous approval. Far from delighting youngsters with such a gift, one parish councillor said a disk for their Playstation was the only present likely to bring a smile to their faces.

Coun Mike Gibbons (Con, Ben Rhydding) told Monday'e meeting of the parish council: "I really do think the mug idea is the wrong idea. I see mugs as old hat.

"It is something you would have done 100 years ago. If these mugs are handed out they will end up in a loft somewhere."

His comments came as councillors debated whether to set up a Millennium Projects Fund and provide mugs to all first/primary school children in the district.

Coun Gibbons felt the nuts and bolts of the proposal had not been adequately explained. He wanted to know who would manage the fund, where it would be held and what would be done with any excess funds, or indeed, deficit.

"I just hope we aren't creating problems which will have to be dealt with in the future," he said.

Coun Joyce Galling (Con, Menston) also expressed doubts about the validity of the millennium mugs scheme.

"I understand Coun Gibbons' concerns. I hope we do manage to raise the £5,000 needed to pay for these mugs otherwise we are going to look rather silly. What are we going to say if we can't raise enough money," she said.

She added that several councillors may no longer be members following next May's elections. Successful foundations for the scheme had to be laid.

Coun Gibbons said any fundraising effort should provide something meaningful and of lasting benefit to the town.

"We have a very mobile population. These mugs will no longer be in Ilkley when the kids move away. We are celebrating 2,000 years since the birth of Christ.

"Why not provide a special leatherbound bible for the churches or some equivalent for the schools," he said.

Coun Bob Jones (Lib Dem, Burley) added that Burley-in-Wharfedale's millennium committee had already acquired mugs for its village youngsters.

The opposition to the mugs scheme dismayed Coun Roy Fox (Lab, Ilkley South). Coun Fox has been the driving force behind the parish council's millennium sub-committee.

He said: "It is a shame councillor Gibbons hasn't been keeping up. Why come up with this idea now? Millennium has been discussed on many many occasions," he said.

Coun Fox has made no secret of his disgust over his colleagues' attitude to the millennium. He has gone on record as saying the parish council's attempts to address the issue have been a complete and utter farce.

Coun Fox said it was shame the parish council had not been prepared to 'put its money where its mouth is' and raise a precept for millennium projects.

Councillors agreed to pass an amended motion, to provide the mugs - providing sufficient funds were available.

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