RECENT reports in your publication that the previous Conservative MP’s Kris Hopkins and Philip Davies support a splitting away of their constituencies from Bradford Metropolitan District Council should be fully supported by all residents of the area.

It has long been a complaint of Wharfedale residents that they are not only very large payers of Council Tax to Bradford Council but also have a low level of default compared to other parts of the Bradford Council area.

A split would be beneficial to all in allowing a local focus of money raised to be directed locally and not at inner city Bradford as reported in your article.The town infrastructure in Ilkley badly needs investment but the Parish Council has limited funds for this purpose and is also having to consider wider responsibilities as a result of the Bradford’s reduction of funding services within the town. Similarly the Green Belt in both constituencies needs protecting whereas Bradford Council see it as a target as part of their housing plan with little consideration of what additional housing would do to health and education resources and traffic issues in the Wharfe valley.

Lastly both Keighley would benefit by having a local council allowing a focus upon their unique social issues and Bradford would benefit by a re-apportionment of central government grant funding allowing investment in the City from this source. Both the Kris Hopkins and Philip Davies plan for devolution of this type should be fully supported in an effort to provide better living and working conditions for all their constituents in Keighley, Ilkley and Shipley.

MIKE RIDGWAY Ghyll Wood Ilkley