SIR - The proposed parish town council covering the Bingley and surrounding areas has been met with great optimism by many people.

Even politically disenfranchised voters have evidently weighed in with their support of the idea, as well as a bashing of Bradford council at the same time.

My worry is that these hopes will only be dashed if the town council becomes a reality.

With the precept approximates it is clear how little will actually be able to be changed in Bingley.

You also only have to look at other town council examples in West Yorkshire to see some examples of the possible problems.

Too few volunteers to be councillors, still significantly low turnouts in elections, and of course a higher overall tax bill for all with very few visible benefits.

We all want what is best for our home towns, I’m just certain that this is not what is best for Bingley.

In a general election year where devolution to English cities is a massive item on the agenda, we should be looking at increasing cooperation with Bradford council and not increasing bureaucracy.

I fear people’s beliefs of what this may bring are massively higher than what will actually come.

Ben Pickles, Labour Local Candidate for Shipley Ward, Britannia Wharf, Bingley