THE practice of sitting in an ivory tower making grandiose plans for far off lands carries the obvious danger that the end product will turn out to be a dog's breakfast.

That is exactly what has happened in the case of the Boundary Commission's proposals for ward changes in Ilkley. Councillors are right to be furious that Ilkley, which is after all a very self-contained settlement, is to be split up for elections. In essence, part of Ben Rhydding will join Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston in a new ward called 'Wharfedale'. Its suggested boundaries will take in Ilkley Grammar School, Tesco supermarket and the town's health centre, all of which will no longer officially be in Ilkley.

The sole reason for the proposed changes is an obsession to make all electoral wards contain about 3,800 voters. Ironically, the current Ilkley ward is roughly about the right size. Unfortunately, Burley and Menston do not have enough voters - and that is from where the carving up of boundaries has emerged. In the longer term this could have ramifications in Parliamentary elections, with neighbours in Ben Rhydding having to choose from different lists of candidates and be represented by different MPs.

It does seem that under the proposals, Ben Rhydding voters have simply become the victims of mathematical logic, with no understanding shown of the community aspect. No thought seems to have been given to the fact that the Ilkley community is a self-contained unit in itself.

Criticism that the bureaucrats appear to have been 'sticking pins in a map' and that 'the lunatics have taken over the asylum' are difficult to dismiss. At the very least, other options should be considered, including Coun Anne Hawkesworth's idea of a 'super ward' containing all Wharfedale settlements and returning six councillors.

What this exercise does show is the inherent danger of making decisions from afar, and without local knowledge or consideration, which, we have to say, does not bode well for the idea of a regional assembly.