In a bid to involve itself more in the lives of residents, Ilkley Parish Council for the first time this year decided to set a precept on the Council Tax. For just a few pennies more on their weekly bill, Ilkley residents will provide a separate fund parish councillors can use to complete projects which will be a great benefit to the whole of the town.

And for the first time, parish councillors will have to deal with their own, quite considerable, budget - a development which increases the collective responsibility greatly.

No longer will people be able to criticise our locally elected body as being nothing more than a talking shop without real power. Now that the funds are available, improvements can be made across the whole town for years to come.

The parish councillors thought long and hard before deciding to take on this responsibility and the initial decision to charge what some have considered an extra rate, was not taken lightly. Despite criticism the parish councillors have pressed ahead in the belief that when people see the benefits of the decision, they will be convinced it was the right one.

However, as it is the first time of operation, parish council members were well aware that they had to get it right to prevent further criticism and to inspire confidence in the people paying the precept. Then what happens? Bradford Council gives them two wildly different figures for the population of Ilkley from which to work out the precept figure, making it appear they have not collected enough.

Then the council changes its mind again leaving the rest of us wondering just how many people do live in Wharfedale, or whether the figures produced by the local authority can be reliably used to base any precept charges on.

Despite the fact the parish council was not responsible for the mistakes over the population figures, it is a major embarrassment for all concerned. But it is not one which should prevent the parish council pressing on in its determined bid to make life in Ilkley better for the residents and visitors.