A BID to join two neighbouring parishes together has been given the thumbs down by local councillors - although the final decision is not up to them.

A petition signed by 250 people has called for Bedale Town Council and Aiskew Parish Council to become one authority responsible for over 5,500 people.

But Bedale councillors have now voted to stay as a separate entity - and district councillor John Noone, told them Aiskew and Leeming Bar parish council had consistently insisted they did not want to join together either.

However because the petition is an official request the decision on the councils’ future lies with Hambleton District Council, who could go out to public consultation to ask the parishioners what they want to do.

There has long been discussions about the councils joining forces and the petition was collected by an Aiskew resident who claimed most people already thought they were part of Bedale and it would be more cost effective. There has been concern in the past that most services are based in Bedale and are used by residents of Aiskew.

The issue has been further complicated because the initial petition called for Bedale and Aiskew to be joined, but Aiskew is already joined with Leeming Bar which could end up separated or put in together with the new council.

Bedale Mayor Cllr Christine Mollard said: “It could get very very complicated.” But Bedale councillor Mike Barningham argued most people thought they were in Bedale parish and it would help spread the burden.

“I think a lot of people in Aiskew get the benefits but there is no recompense for Bedale,” he added.

Cllr Clive Pointon said if it went out to consultation people would want to have information about reserves and precepts and the impact of such a move.

“I support the status quo. I believe in keeping local government local,” he said.

“There might be economies of scale but there could be clear conflicts as to where money should be spent,” he added.

Cllr Malcolm Young said: “I think we should look at working closer together with other councils but when you look at the logistics of joining it would be huge.”

Cllr Noone said Hambleton District Council would have to pay for the move and it could be expensive. Councillors agreed they preferred to keep the councils separate.

Hambleton District Council is due to consider the petition next month.