Has council signed its death-warrant?

accepting a document which could eventually lead to its dissolution.

Forced to contemplate radical changes imposed on it by internal and external

pressures, the body which has represented the people of Ilkley for the last 25 years, could be approaching the end of the line.

The parish council will either have to undergo a major transformation in responsibility, composition and function, which some councillors fear, or face dissolution.

One of the options it may have to face is splitting into three parish councils, one for Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston.

Although the parish council can presently make recommendations to Bradford and

complain about the deterioration in services, it signed away the power to do anything about them under local government re-organisation in 1974 when it changed from the Ilkley Urban District Council.

Critics have denounced the body as a

'talking shop' full of nice ideas about the town but without the statutory or economic clout to act on them.

Under recent pressure from central Government and Bradford City Hall to take on more responsibility, a parish council

working group was set up to examine the way forward.

Its interim report was accepted this week by councillors, some of whom were openly wary of the implications it contains for the future.

What is clear from the report is that the parish council is unlikely to continue as it is because of the pressure for it to take over

running certain services.

Under local government laws, the parish council could take on tens of services

currently provided by Bradford Council,

raising the money through grants and a local rate precept.

Parish council chairman-elect Michael Gibbons introduced the report which outlines what services could be taken over if grants were obtained or a local rate, based on £5 per Band D house, was introduced.

The services include recreation facilities and community centres such as Kirklands in Menston and the Queen's Hall, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

But the parish council could also take over the running of Ilkley's parking, toilets, playing fields, footpaths, litter, swimming baths, parks, road verges, Ilkley Moor, open spaces, lighting and cemeteries among other things.

Coun Gibbons asked councillors to accept the document and allow the working group to investigate the issues within it, such as

working more closely with the area panels set up by Bradford Council, and report back with more recommendations in June.

But fellow parish councillors were clearly uneasy with the financial and legal implications of taking on services and budgets.

Councillor Audrey Brand said: "This has great implications on things like finance, long-term budgets and accountability.

To take one of the things that are mentioned here needs professional advice," Councillor Patricia Stevenson said: "We need more knowledge before any decisions are made."

Coun Gibbons had to reassure fellow members that none of the suggestions made in the report was being acted upon before a vote could be taken.

He said: "I can sense some unease here. This is simply an interim report - it is by no means a list of suggestions or recommendations at this stage."

Following the meeting Coun Gibbons admitted that the parish council's survival depended on a willingness to take on more responsibility, and being capable of administering a large budget. If it doesn't, its

function will be given to Area Panels containing a district council representation, leaving the parish council to wither away.

But it is widely held that some of the present members of the parish council would be unwilling and incapable of controlling

budgets and administering key services.

Coun Gibbons said: "I think there were a couple of references (in the report) to

bringing in different councillors with different talents. Some of the councillors have been ringing me to say they are quietly optimistic that something is going to happen."

What was widely accepted with the vote on the working group's document was that the parish council, as it is now and has been for 25 years, is doomed.

Bob Tilley, the chairman of Ilkley Civic Society said the proposals would present a great challenge to the parish council and would cause major changes in the way it has operated for 25 years.

"They have got to take on budget responsibilities and they can start to do things. Some of the older members may not be willing to do that because that is not what they joined for, but some of the younger ones may be happy to do that" said Mr Tilley.

He said that Ilkley Parish Council may have to split into three parish councils representing Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston. "You would get a different type of person on the parish council but I see it as a real opportunity. I think there is a real feeling in Ilkley and we have just got to find some parish councillors who want to take on that responsibility," Mr Tilley said.