A MAJOR consultation exercise designed to bring communities together has come under fire after revelations it will cost taxpayers more than £20,000.

Up to 9,000 people are being asked if they want to become part of one larger council for Bedale and Aiskew, instead of the existing two. Supporters say such a move would save money and be more effective.

Opponents complain the amalgamation is unnecessary and both Bedale Town Council and Aiskew and Leeming Bar Parish Council have said they don’t want it.

Aiskew resident Yvonne Rose set the ball rolling collecting more than 550 signatures on a petition calling for the review of governance which Hambleton District Council now has no choice but to carry out.

Ms Rose said: “I feel strongly that the people of Aiskew are part of the community of Bedale. Indeed, the most common response I heard was people thought Aiskew and Bedale only had one parish council.

“As an Aiskew resident I feel I should be paying my fair share for services from which I benefit - public toilets, the Tuesday market, car boot sales, Bedale Hall park, flowers in the Market Place, the beck and beckside walks, Christmas lights and the bonfire. Aiskew only gives small grants to some of these.

“Residents of Aiskew currently pay only 36p per week less than Bedale residents for the parish precept, yet the only facility provided is the excellent play park. As the recipient of a bus pass this is of little use to me or other older residents.

“Parish councils are the first tier of local government and, together with volunteers, are having to take on more responsibilities to keep our town functioning and looking good; therefore it is important they are efficient and cost effective.”

But Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council and one of Bedale’s district councillors, is concerned the merger will not help.

He said: “This exercise will cost the tax-payers of Hambleton over £20,000 and I’m not clear what the benefits will be.

“It`s true that Aiskew and Leeming Bar has fewer facilities like shops and meeting facilities than Bedale, but parish councils don`t provide shops, or doctors` surgeries and they already make significant financial contributions to Bedale Hall and the bonfire, and this year £2,000 for the community library.

"Presently Aiskew and Leeming Bar residents pay less for their parish council services than Bedale. Will many savings be made by joining up? There is no clear evidence of that.

“Local representation is important, from Leeming Bar, and Aiskew as well as Bedale, and parish councillors are the unsung, completely unpaid heroes of local government.

“Both councils have voted to leave things as they are.

"Residents may well ask if it’s not broke, why change it?”

The consultation will run until April 21.