A £1 million project to build a new pavilion and changing rooms at Silsden Cricket and Football Club received the full support of the town council at its last meeting.

Following a presentation from the club steering committee, councillors agreed that it would be a worthwhile project to support and potentially fund in the future. The steering group told councillors that they needed the backing of different organisations to show the FA, which could potentially pay 75 per cent of the costs, they were serious.

One group member said they had already raised £100,000 through various raffles and fundraising events but that they were still short of around £200,000, if the FA agreed to fund the project.

Councillor Keith Savage said: "These people do a superb job keeping children off the streets and I would like the council to give them a donation." It was agreed that the group would attend a future meeting to put forward a request for funds.

A call to round up and prosecute disruptive youths in Silsden was made by one councillor after reports of repeated anti-social behaviour in the town.

Councillor Keith Savage asked members why the police could not arrest the youths for causing nuisance and criminal damage and prosecute them. Deputy mayor Liz Trainor said the youths were mainly causing problems in the memorial gardens and in the park and that she had spoken to PC Peter Merrifield about the situation.

A resident at the meeting said that he and his wife constantly saw youths riding their bikes in the car park and memorial gardens. He said they had asked them why they couldn't use the "Rocks and Ramps Park" which had been built for them, but they said they didn't want to because of broken glass.

Mayor Michael Elsmore said Silsden Youth Council was looking into having asphalt put down in the area at the "Rocks and Ramps Park" to make the glass easier to clean up. A resident's request for adequate lighting on a Silsden footpath has been backed by the council. The request was for lighting to be placed on the footpath in Nicholson Place, which was described as being too dark and unsafe.

A new working group is to be formed to manage the re-decoration of the town hall. Deputy mayor Liz Trainor, Cllr Pat Bottomley and Cllr Alan Edwards agreed that they would look after the re-decoration, which has already started. A £600 donation has been given to Silsden Town Band for 30 new jackets.

Members of the council all agreed that they should receive the requested funds.

Silsden Town Council has been awarded Quality Council status.

Mayor Michael Elsmore announced the achievement at the town council meeting last week and said the body now had "official recognition that they were doing things right".

The status is awarded under the Government's Quality Parish and Town Council scheme.

Cllr Elsmore added: "We are the latest of around 420 parish and town councils nationally that have achieved the status. We are the special few."