AN INVITATION to choose the future of local democracy in Bingley is being sent to 16,000 residents, who now have the rare chance to create their own parish or town council.

Bradford Council is holding a consultation to find if people in Bingley, Cottingley, Crossflatts, Eldwick, Gilstead, and Micklethwaite are interested in having their own grass-roots council.

The Community Governance Review is in formal response to a 2,000 signature petition presented to Bradford Council in favour of the idea.

That petition was collected by the Bingley Community Council Group, which has welcomed the two-month survey, which begins on Monday, June 1.

BCCG chairman Ros Dawson said: “The consultation is a unique opportunity, one that we residents in the Bingley area have never had before and may never have again," Mrs Dawson said.

"It's our chance to have our say on how our community is organised.

“The consultation is happening thanks to support from more than 2,000 residents in Bingley, Cottingley, Crossflatts, Eldwick, Gilstead and Micklethwaite.

“We, and all those who signed the petition believe that a town council is right for Bingley and neighbouring villages.

"It will strengthen our communities, give us a voice and be a viable, effective and genuinely representative body that will make a positive difference to our area.

“Whether you agree or disagree, please take part in the consultation so that Bradford Council can assess the level of support for the plan – and then decide if Bingley gets a town council or not.”

But Councillor John Pennington, who represents Bingley for the Conservatives on Bradford Council, sounded a note of caution, suggesting the amount of effort needed to set up and run such a body might not equate with what it could actually achieve.

"I don't wish to swing people either way, but it would be another level of bureaucracy," said Cllr Pennington.

"Everyone sets off full of hope, but they may end up very frustrated.

"That said, if people say they want a town council, I will support them in the idea."

Fellow Bingley ward Conservative Councillor Mark Shaw said: "It's a very important decision for the people for Bingley and everyone should have their say."

The vicar of Bingley parish church, the Reverend Beverley Mason, said: "My personal thoughts are we have an impressive group of women and men behind this idea who are really driving things forward in Bingley.

"Also if we don't all take part in this, then we don't have the right to criticise things in the future."

In a letter which accompanies the consultation survey, Bradford Council's acting city solicitor Dermot Pearson writes: "We very much hope you will take the opportunity of sharing your views with us, so that you can help us decide whether a new parish council should be set up and whether your neighbourhood, village or town should be included in it."