RESIDENTS have given a big thumbs down to controversial moves to merge two parishes after a £25,000 consultation exercise.

Concerns are now being raised about the cost - and that the money would have been better spent on services.

The move to join the parish of Bedale with Aiskew was proposed by Aiskew resident Yvonne Rose, who collected a petition with 500 signatures, half from each area, calling for the joining of the two.

Nearby Leeming Bar, currently part of Aiskew Parish Council was not initially included, although there was eventually an option for it to be part of the new parish.

Campaigners said many of the residents were not aware there were two separate parish councils and that Bedale, as the town authority, was paying for services that were used by Aiskew people.

In the face of the petition Hambleton District Council was forced under local government law to carry out an independent consultation among all the electors - and that has cost between £20,000 to £25,000.

Now it has been revealed that out of the 4,825 people consulted, 139 were in favour of the merger, 83 wanted to also include Leeming Bar and 417 were against, 35 not having an opinion.

As a result Hambleton District Council has now rejected the proposal. Both Aiskew and Leeming Bar and Bedale town councils said they wanted to stay separate.

Bedale councillor John Noone said: “A lot of people didn’t realise there were separate councils. I think many people just thought the logistics, the upheaval and the cost of it all wasn’t worth it.

“The difficulty was convincing people there was any gain. I didn’t like the £20,000 cost, that could have been used for better things for both areas.”

Aiskew councillor Judith Asquith added: “We welcome the decision not to merge the two councils because we couldn’t see the benefit. We would raise concerns about how much it has cost.”

Ms Rose said: “Whilst I am disappointed with the results of the consultation, it was a democratic process and the majority have opted for the status quo.

“I still believe that the merger would have led to a more efficient and cost effective structure for the two communities.”

Cllr Carl Les, formerly a long time resident of Aiskew, said: “I am very disappointed this exercise has cost the taxpayers of Hambleton District Council about £25,000.

“That is not officer time but hard cash - as we had to buy in the services of the City of |York Council.”