SWINGEING cuts proposed by Bradford Council are poised to hit weekly refuse collections, sports facilities and tourism in Ilkley under new budget plans.

Libraries in Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale are also among services facing the axe, unless they can be taken over by community groups, with proposals put out to consultation by Bradford Council's ruling executive this week.

But Ilkley Library, as one of the district's main centres, appears to be safe.

However, there are fears proposals to reduce visitor information centre hours could result in the Ilkley office closing altogether.

Ilkley ward councillor, Anne Hawkesworth (Ind), warned the loss of the town's visitor information centre would be a "savage attack" on the tourist town, not least to the King's Hall theatre, which uses the service as its box office.

The local authority has suggested it could reduce the impact of any closures or reductions in opening times by making services available online and via digital media.

Wharfedale ward councillor, Jackie Whiteley (Con), attacked the threat to Burley and Menston libraries.

She said: "Bradford Council gets most of its income from these areas. How long can it get away with cutting services? We've lost out children's centre, to all intents and purposes.

"We don't have an awful lot of services in Burley and Menston, and the libraries are a resource local people really appreciate."

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for education, skills and culture, warned if communities don't step forward to run libraries targeted by the cuts, facilities will have to shut.

Council departments are required to make new savings of £17.7 million in 2017-18 and £24.4 million in 2017-18.

Other cost-cutting proposals include:

l people having to make a greater financial contribution to the costs of their social care

l streamlining early help services to children and families and measures to reduce the numbers of children looked after by the local authority

l changes to services for children with special educational needs and disabilities

l reductions to youth offending team activity, youth services and work with young people who are not in education, employment or training

l ending funding for Police Community Support Officers

l introducing alternate weekly bin collections and charges for green waste disposal; and

l reducing street lighting and winter gritting and introducing new parking charges

Budget proposals would see council tax go up by 1.6 per cent, and the local authority also wants to gauge the public's opinion on an idea to add a further levy of two per cent, specifically to fund adult social care.

Visit bradford.gov.uk to take part in the budget consultation.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Gazette and Observer, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.