A divide has emerged in how Kirklees Council deals with devolving powers.

Council leader Clr David Sheard, told a full council chamber he wanted to see devolution to town and parish councils and not competing bodies.

But Opposition members say Kirklees has not discussed it with Mirfield Town Council, potentially in breach of the Parish Charter agreement signed by both authorities.

Clr Martyn Bolt said: “The charter says Kirklees will consult with town and parish councils before making any decisions which affect the area.

“David Sheard said he wanted devolution to the town and parish councils, so where is the discussion?

“We were asked to vote and make a decision before there had been any consultation.

“It’s not worth the paper it’s written on if the Charter can just be overlooked like that.

“It may turn out legal, but it’s against the spirit of it.”

The charter, signed by Kirklees and representatives of Denby Dale, Holme Valley and Kirkburton parish councils and Meltham and Mirfield town council, says: “Kirklees MC will give parish and town councils the opportunity to comment before making a decision which affects the local community in their area.”

Clr Bolt added: “Kirklees has been criticised numerous times for the way it handles consultations and they need to learn before jumping in and making decisions.

“Once you start putting areas together it’s right to talk to the five parish and town councils in Kirklees who are democratically elected and who should be consulted on devolution.”

Mirfield Town Council is now preparing to seek advice from the Yorkshire Local Council Association, an advisory body.

During the meeting Kirklees chief executive Adrian Lythgo said: “We would need to go away and consider the Parish Charter in some detail... we would have time, if you were minded to determine this today, to consider the Charter.”

Clr Sheard said: “If there is a parish council then that’s where we have got to devolve to, you can’t set up something in competition, they are democratically elected body and accountable and that’s what we should be devolving to.”

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