ALLOWING the 'world and his wife' to join a working party discussing Ilkley Parish Council's future was simply not practical, it has been claimed.

The chairman of Ilkley's Liberal Democrats has called for community involvement in the process, but councillors have denied claims the working party is too insular.

At Monday evening's Ilkley Parish Council meeting Coun Mike Gibbons said any sub-committee of the parish council had to be made up of parish councillors. If it was broadened to take in other individuals, he said there would be inherent difficulties.

The working party, consisting of five parish councillors, is examining Ilkley's future relationship with Bradford Council.

Coun Mike Lynes said all recommendations made by the working group were already in the public domain, as they had to be ratified by the full parish council. These meetings were open to members of the public, he said.

He said expanding the size of the working party would not mean swifter conclusions being reached. "If you broaden it to welcome the world and his wife, you never move forward. It just gets bogged down," he said.

However, Coun Lynes said it was important to take on board the opinions of residents and he asked if the subject could form the basis of a future parish council open meeting. Parish council chairman Kate Brown said she looked forward to hearing the results of the working party's deliberations. The next meeting of the working party is on April 26.

James Keeley, Lib Dem chairman, believes Ilkley residents should have the final say in the form of a referendum.

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