At its monthly meeting on Monday night, the voluntary group voted to find new ways of connecting with their community and securing the council's long-term future.

In recent years the group, which was set up in 1974 when the old Horbury Urban District Council was disbanded, has suffered from declining members and funds.

Vice-chairman Jayne Watson came up with plans to host a stall at this summer's Horbury Street Fair.

Mrs Watson said: "I think we need to realise that we are coming to a crisis point – people are not interested.

She added: "We have got an awful lot of things done and we need to let people know."

The council currently has less than £300 in the reserves and will have to pay around £170 for public liability insurance to keep holding their meetings in the Old Town Hall, on Westfield Road.

Secretary Jonathan Atkins suggested producing a leaflet informing people of the role of the council and its achievements that could be paid for through advertising local firms.

Secretary Jonathan Atkins said: "We have got to change and adapt to modern times. We can either sit here month after month until we run out of money in two years; time or we could do something about it to raise awareness and maybe make some money which we could reinvest in the community."

Coun Graham Jesty pledged to support the council by donating jewellery which could be raffled off at the street fair in June.

He said: "I will provide three 9-carat gold rings. They will be items for your street stall which I will provide from stock I have.

"And I will assist you to go round all the people in the area and see what else we can get as donations."

Mrs Watson asked members to come back to the next meeting, on Monday April 19, with ideas for new projects.

She also invited members of the community to contribute their ideas on how the council should move forward.

More information about HCC at   horburycommunity@googlemail.com or go to the meeting next month at 7.30pm, in the Old Town Hall, on Westfield Road.