A Kirklees councillor has called for two villages to get their own parish council, as a review of the current system continues.
Town and parish councils are there to represent the interests of local people and make up the first tier of local government. These councils deliver some services and work to improve the quality of life of those living in the area. They are funded by a "precept" included in the Council Tax bills of residents.
Kirklees currently has five parish and town councils, including Denby Dale Parish Council; Holme Valley Parish Council; Kirkburton Parish Council; Meltham Town Council; and Mirfield Town Council. But Kirklees Council is reviewing the structure of these authorities in a "Community Governance Review".
Councillor Charles Greaves (Independent, Holme Valley North), is calling for the creation of a parish council to serve Honley and Brockholes, and another to serve the Holmfirth area. At the moment, the areas are represented by Holme Valley Parish Council (HVPC) - of which Cllr Greaves is a member - but he believes it has "lost its direct connection to the community".
He added: "All of the money raised in a council area must be spent for the benefit of its residents - with our own funding we could do so much more. A more focused council offers the chance to cut through the delays and argument and ends the fairness issues of who gets what.
"The financial reality is that there are no cost efficiencies from a larger council - many smaller councils are more cost effective - it depends on how they are run. A like for like comparison with Meltham Town Council demonstrates that the smaller council is more agile, just as capable, more focused and has strong finances and the same influence as the much bigger HVPC.
"HVPC is too big and unfocused - is it Holmfirth & Honley, 'Greater' Holmfirth, or the whole valley? What does New Mill and Scholes get? Who decides where and on what the money is spent? Two smaller councils, one based around Holmfirth and the other around Honley, would give a greater connection to place and a clearer focus on the issues and priorities of those communities.
"The two new councils should work together and co-operate on common issues but focus their efforts on their own priorities."
Elsewhere, other calls to establish new councils have been made by the Community Alliance group. They want to see new town councils created to serve Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley. The group argues that this would boost local democratic representation and give residents in urban areas the same local voice as those where town or parish councils already exist.
The Community Governance Review is open until December 12, 2025. Residents can submit their views at: https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/voting-and-elections/community-governance-review.aspx or email: CGR@kirklees.gov.uk