Horsforth people are to be given the chance to vote on the setting up of a town council.

From Saturday, detailed proposals explaining the possible introduction of a town council in Horsforth will be sent out to every resident in the town.

And included in the £5,000 exercise by Leeds City Council will be voting papers asking people to say whether or not they believe local government would be a good thing for Horsforth.

Professor Tom Nossiter, leader of the Horsforth Town Council Campaign Committee said since the campaign started towards the end of last year, there had been overwhelming support.

He said: "In what could well be the first of a string of such exercises around the city, Leeds City Council has given this £5,000 chance to Horsforth people to decide whether they wish to give practical meaning to local level democracy."

And he encouraged all Horsforth people to make use of their voting papers and support the town council.

"If Horsforth residents want a better community to live, work and play in they can have it by voting 'yes'. "The local tax councillors could levy adds up on average to the price of a lottery ticket for a month, but it is a lottery where everyone wins.

"I expect a far better turn out than in the May city elections and a substantial majority in favour," said Mr Nossiter.

The committee hopes the new town council could be up and running by May next year with around 13 elected councillors representing five wards.

The council would be able to lobby the city council on all matters and could set a local precept which could finance local

projects. Mr Nossiter said: "Otley and Wetherby already have vigorous town councils and the 1997 Local Government Act has extended their powers.

"It doesn't amount to unilaterally declared independence (UDI) but the 26 functions cover just those areas which most concern ordinary people such as crime,

traffic and parking, keeping the place clean and above all, planning."

l Aireborough is also campaigning for its own parish council and is looking for a minimum of 2,000 signatures on a petition before it can take its proposals forward.

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