The team planning Ilkley’s welcome to the Grand Depart of the Tour de France next summer is moving on to establish who takes responsibility for various organising roles.

Ilkley’s Tour de France Organisation is due to meet again next Tuesday as it continues planning for the visit of the cycle race next year.

Ilkley parish councillor Bryan Websdale says the group has reached a point where initial talks on what members would like to see happen next year have now finished – and the organisation is now looking at who is prepared to take responsibility for specific proposals.

Some organisations are already taking the lead in various plans.

Coun Websdale says the organisation wants to have more arrangements made before a planned public meeting on November 27. The group is inviting Ilkley residents to come to the meeting and learn more about what is planned.

Meanwhile the company that runs the Tour de France is expected to make a detailed announcement revealing the full route of the race shortly.

Councillor Websdale told the parish council last week one issue he is looking into is public toilet provision. A company in Keighley which supplies portable cubicles had initially said there would be plenty available for Ilkley – but has since said Bradford Council is to hire its entire stock for the Tour de France.

Councillors asked if some of these would be provided in Ilkley.

A website has been set up at letour.ilkley.org to provide more information. Contact Ilkley Parish Clerk’s office on (01943) 436212 or Bryan Websdale directly on letour@ilkley.org.