SIR – The people of Bingley will shortly be receiving publicity aimed at persuading them to sign a petition to request a parish council for Bingley and district. A group have received a £10,000 grant to campaign for this. Before you sign the petition, be aware of what it involves. If 10 per cent of Bingley residents sign the petition, it will be the council that makes the decision. You will not get a vote.
What powers will this parish council have if it is formed? The first is the power to levy an annual (unlimited) amount as a precept on top of the council tax we already pay. There is no facility for opting out, it is compulsory on all council taxpayers in the district. I will leave it to the campaigners to outline the supposed benefits. We already have six elected councillors to represent Bingley. Do we really need another level of expensive bureaucracy? Think carefully before you sign.
Peter Meet, Bramham Road, Bingley
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