Call for "positive and radical" thinking (From Ilkley Gazette)

Call for "positive and radical" thinking

11:10am Thursday 27th May 2010

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The outgoing leader of Ilkley Parish Council has called for a town manager to oversee facilities and liaise with Bradford Council.

Councillor Alan Morrell used his final address as chairman to suggest the appointment, describing it as a potential focal point for maintenance and asset management.

And newly-appointed chairman Coun Brian Mann has said there is a need for positive and radical thinking to take the town through the months ahead.

At the annual council meeting on Monday, Coun Morrell, who switched from Conservative to independent midway through his term of office, said he would continue at the forefront of debate about issues such as 20mph zones around schools and swimming and library facilities.

He said: “Although there have been several improvements I am now aware how difficult it is to make headway on any issue that we raise for consideration since there are no formal mechanisms in place to progress our objectives and there is an army of public servants whose principle objective seems to be to damp out any initiative.”

Suggesting a town manager, he added: “I know that this will cause a sharp intake of breath, but it need not be expensive – perhaps a part-time, early-retired engineer living in the town, with funding coming from a reduction in our top-heavy ways and means budget.”

Coun Mann, who returns to the role of chairman for the third time, said Ilkley was facing an interesting year, with decisions expected on major projects such as the proposed new Tesco store, grammar school site and Coronation Hospital.

“We do need some positive, careful and perhaps radical thinking to take us through this era,” he said. “Coun Brown and her team are currently working on our parish plan - I would like to see this renamed the town plan for I believe Ilkley needs more ambition. We perhaps need more pride in our town.”

He said he would continue to press for schemes and facilities that the council had been seeking.

Under the leadership of Coun Morrell, the parish council has called for improvements to the Denton Road indoor swimming pool and library, additional public toilets, limited 20mph zones and a trial produce market. It has also assumed responsibility for 105 allotments and Darwin Gardens.

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