Referendum on parish council could be held (From Wharfedale Observer)

Referendum on parish council could be held

2:30pm Tuesday 24th April 2012 in News By Newsdesk

Rawdon could have its own parish council by the time of the next local elections as support for the idea continues to grow.

Local councillors have already shown support for the proposal, and now residents are giving it their backing.

Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Graham Latty said leaflets had been put out to gauge the level of support for a parish council. He said people were welcoming the idea, with a high level of positive responses.

If formed, the parish council would cover the Rawdon postcode area and would take back an area currently covered by Horsforth ward.

Coun Latty said the initial replies in the Horsforth/Rawdon area showed a 12 and a half per cent positive response.

“You only need a ten per cent response in order for Leeds City Council to have to consider a referendum for the parish council,” he said.

“Nobody can force Leeds to do it, but the law requires you to have ten per cent of the voting population and we are going to way exceed that, so I can’t imagine Leeds not holding a referendum.”

He said Rawdon could have its own parish council at the time of the next local elections.

Campaigners believe it would help protect the area from unwanted development and could protect the future of Rawdon Billing as green space.

Calls for a parish council came after a public meeting held by Wharfedale and Airedale Review Development to create an action group to oppose development on the Billing.