Two Bradford district MPs who are campaigning to break away from Bradford Council and form a separate authority are urging people to comment on a new consultation into ward boundaries across the area.
The Local Government Boundary Commission has launched a ten-week public consultation into its proposed changes to council wards and ward boundaries for the Bradford district.
Shipley MP Philip Davies and Keighley MP Robbie Moore are hoping residents will use the consultation to show local support for a new local authority covering the two parliamentary constituencies.
Mr Davies said: “This review is looking at boundary changes to wards in Bradford, but this does not bring about or offer the change that my constituents want to see, which is a new council covering my constituency and that of Robbie Moore’s separate from Bradford Council.
“My constituents do not want to continue within this local authority area which is heading towards bankruptcy. They do not feel Bradford Council cares about the Shipley constituency and this consultation is therefore a perfect opportunity to express to the Local Government Boundary Commission the strength of feeling across my constituency that they no longer want to be within Bradford Council and I would encourage my constituents to do that.”
Mr Moore said: “As we continue to campaign for a new local authority for our area, I urge residents across Keighley, Ilkley, Silsden and the Worth Valley to take part in the ongoing consultation on ward boundaries. This is a prime opportunity for our voices to be heard and to demonstrate the overwhelming support for a new local authority that covers our two parliamentary constituencies.
“It is clear that Bradford Council is not meeting the needs and aspirations of residents across our area. They lack in capacity and competence to deliver statutory services and have failed us time and time again, whether it be on children’s services, highways, unfair proposals to rip up our green belt, a disastrous CAZ tax, attempting to close Keighley Tip or ignoring a decisive Public Poll in Keighley to keep our Green Space green.
With mounting financial troubles, it is more important than ever that we seek a new, more responsive local authority."
The consultation will run until September 4. People who wish to take part in the consultation can do so by emailing [email protected] or by writing to Local Government Boundary Commission for England, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE or via their website at http://www.lgbce.org.uk
