The council's Conservative-run Cabinet has agreed to set up four area forums of ward councillors, covering Upper Valley, Lower Valley, Halifax Central and Halifax North and East.

The first job for each of the new forums will be to hold a public consultation with partners and communities to look at priority issues for each area.

But Coun Paul Rogan, (English Democrats, Rastrick), said: "The Tories have been pushed into it by changes in Government legislation and Calderdale has been very late out of the stocks. Kirklees and Bradford have had these kind of forums for years and they have been seen to work very well.

"I am also concerned about how the boundaries have been drawn – I think more sensitivity could have been shown there. For example, in my own area Brighouse and Elland are two large towns with separate and different needs and yet it looks like they will be lumped together.''

Lib Dem leader Coun Janet Battye (Calder), said: "We are very pleased that we are starting with this though disappointed that it looks as though the Tory Cabinet is getting round to it, not because they want to, but because they were forced to.''

Coun Tim Swift, leader of Calderdale's Labour group, (Town), added: "We are quite behind other authorities obviously and I hope there will be a real commitment to make this work.''

But Cabinet member for community services, Coun Amanda Byrne, (Sowerby Bridge), said the new arrangements would ensure that people would have a greater say in the running of their own communities.

Responding to the criticism she said: "That's an interesting approach – this has been set up by a Conservative Cabinet and we can learn from what's happened with other authorities.

"The council already consults its citizens in a variety of ways; through its Citizens' Panel, through Calderdale Call, (a council-produced newsletter), the Engage area on the council's website and through specific consultation exercises and events.

"But earlier this year, the council asked residents through its Citizens' Panel survey about how they can give have an even bigger say. They told us that what they wanted was a greater involvement in local decision making by the council.

"These forums will provide opportunities for residents to raise issues which are important to them and their communities. They will, also offer an opportunity for public service providers to consult with residents and to be held to account for the delivery of services."

Coun Byrne said the forums would enable the council to build more effective partnerships at local level with public, private and voluntary sector organisations and with residents. By agreeing to this proposal, the council is clearly demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that people in communities have a greater say in the decisions that are important to them."

It is proposed that the new forums will be held five times a year, with the first meetings in the spring of next year.