The chairman of Ilkley Parish Council failed to win support over his bid to change the council to a ‘town council’.

Councillor Brian Mann asked for a discussion of his idea at the full council meeting, but was met with a tepid response.

He said there were several town councils nearby and thought it was time the council was “given its proper name”.

But other councillors were happier with the status quo.

Councillor Mike Gibbons said: “We should stay as a parish. This is Ilkley parish council. I am quite happy with it the way it is.”

Councillor Kate Brown said the word ‘parish’ reflected the rural nature of the Ilkley area.