Keighley residents face paying almost £11 more in tax next year to pay for the town council.

The figure is more than double that of the average precept levels estimated for the eight other town and parish councils in the Bradford district, with Ilkley Parish Council weighing in at just £2.87.

Bradford Council's deputy leader, Cllr Simon Cooke (pictured) admitted that district council estimates had put the town council figure in the region of £10.70.

He said the amount was a "huge difference" and blamed it on the cost of setting up the fledgling council.

He said: "The estimation was a straight calculation based on this year's figure.

"It is a huge difference but I think that will drop because there has been £30-40,000 of set up costs for Keighley.

"This year Keighley has had £150,000 whereas the other councils put together have had £70,000.

"The challenge for the town council is not to justify its existence but to deliver."

The news came after Bradford Council last week decided to axe its funding programme for the running costs of town and parish councils within the district.

The withdrawal of the administrative funding grant after almost 30 years has generated a £250,000 saving for Bradford and forced the "mini-councils" to levy a precept on householders in the area to pay for the overheads.

Bradford Council, however, has given no indication yet whether the saving will be handed back to voters, although Cllr Cooke said he would be backing a reduction in council tax.

He said: "I will be recommending to my colleagues one of two actions. One is that the savings we make could be taken off council tax.

"The other option would be whether to set the money aside as a budget to provide support, advice and training for parish councils."

Keighley Town Mayor, Cllr Martin Leathley (pictured) described the precept figure as a "heck of a charge" but stressed that Keighley Town Council would not have to fall in line until May 2004

He said: "I would have thought it was rather too high and we would expect to negotiate. If we could tease out the set up cost from the overall costs then we would be able to comment better."

He rejected Cllr Cooke's suggestion of support and training, preferring instead to see a reduction in council tax.