THREE communities have united for a last-minute attempt to save Ilkley Parish Council and prevent Bradford council chiefs taking charge of £90,000 belonging to Wharfedale taxpayers.

Representatives of Burley, Menston and Ilkley teamed up this week to request an 11th-hour change in Bradford Council's proposals to the Government for the Ilkley parish split.

The three communities agreed that the 31-year-old Ilkley Parish Council should not be abolished, and want its finances to be split fairly according to the number of voters in the town and two villages.

The move came after Bradford council last week said it was considering shutting down the current Ilkley Parish Council when Burley and Menston get their own councils and replacing it with a new council to serve the town.

It was feared that Bradford could seize Ilkley Parish Council's assets and use part of the money to set up a new Ilkley council, which local councillors argued was needless expense.

A Bradford-imposed budget would have left the town's highly qualified parish clerk, Chris Dale effectively facing redundancy or a possible part-time post if Ilkley Parish Council was abolished.

But Bradford has responded positively to the three communities' call for a rethink just in time for Tuesday's consultation deadline set by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

Ilkley Parish Council chairman, Mike Gibbons, asked representatives of Menston Community Association, Burley Community Council and Ilkley Parish Council on Monday to jointly ask Bradford to resize Ilkley Parish Council, rather than abolish it.

The parish council offered to effectively freeze its spending, paying out for running costs and pre-committed projects only, but not committing money to further awards or special projects.

"It was really 11th-hour stuff," said Councillor Gibbons. "I'm pleased that the parish council, Burley Community Council and Menston Community Association have been able to agree on a way forward that allows a continuation of the existing Ilkley Parish. I look forward to a good working relationship with the new councils."

Bradford Council has now written to the ODPM, asking to amend its original plan for three new parishes, instead asking for new councils only in Burley and Menston, but retaining Ilkley Parish Council.

New parishes for Burley and Menston will be set up on April 1 if the ODPM gives the final go-ahead.

Ilkley Parish Council was founded in 1974. Its funds, which Coun Gibbons says should stand at around £90,000 at the end of the financial year, were collected from Council Tax payers in Ilkley, Burley and Menston via the parish precept.

Bradford Council's legal and democratic services head, Salman Mather, said the council has now told the ODPM it is in favour of creating two new parishes but retaining a smaller Ilkley parish.

He told the Gazette: "The council is recommending now that Ilkley Parish Council is amended rather than abolished, but that the two new parishes, Burley and Menston, be created."

Mr Mather believes parish elections will be on May 4 if Government permission is forthcoming as expected.

Representatives of Burley and Menston are also pleased with the amended proposals. "Menston would very much support that," said Menston Community Association chairman, Peter Ward. "We came to a very amicable agreement on all the major issues."

Burley and Menston representatives have been asked to make suggestions to Bradford Council about what funds they believe the new councils will need to set up.

Meanwhile, a draft budget for Ilkley itself is expected to come before the next full Ilkley Parish Council meeting on February 6.