Ilkley Parish Council has voted to extend its powers and potential responsibilities.

At a meeting on Monday, councillors unanimously agreed to take on the power of well-being, which allows authorities to spend money on anything that could improve the community, unless it is prohibited by law.

The power was first introduced in the Local Government Act of 2000, permitting principal local authorities to spend funds on improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of the local community. It was extended to parish councils in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act in 2007. Powers to raise council tax are not included.

To be eligible, parish councils must have two-thirds of its members who have stood for election, at least 80 per cent of councillors attending a training session, a qualified council clerk and a statement of intent about community engagement.

Examples of local authority actions under the power of well-being include Greenwich council creating an employment agency, Torbay council establishing a development agency to boost tourism, economic development, and the regeneration of its harbour and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea funding additional community support officers to police the streets.

Ilkley Parish Council chairman-elect Councillor Brian Mann said it would give the council additional spending powers to fund projects which were in the interest of the community and could result in more responsibility for areas such as the Riverside Gardens and allotments.

Councillors at Monday’s meeting also agreed to apply for re-accreditation for quality status from the Yorkshire Local Councils Association.