Wakefield Council's cabinet is expected to give the green light next week to a community governance review – a first for the council – into the controversial plans to bring back a town authority.

Bill O' Brien, secretary of project steering group Pontefract Forward, said volunteers had hoped to get the council up and running earlier to boost public confidence.

He added: "We wanted the election this year, rather than the estimate of May 2011, so we could get on with the job but the process takes too long.

"What we are recommending is that if the new council is created and has elections there is no party politics, no rosettes and colours, just names put forward from people working in their communities.

"The current situation is that people don't have any confidence in government. We would like to change that and do it the Pontefract way.

"That's having a situation where people are elected because of the fact that others know them for the work they've done."

Pontefract Forward says the proposed council would support and develop the town while protecting its assets, reviving the town hall as a civic centre and be consulted on matters such as transport or regeneration.

Critics have condemned the idea, saying the extra tier of government would only bring another level of bureaucracy with its additional town council tax precept.

But more than 2,300 people have signed a supporting petition which – as the number is more than 10 per cent of Pontefract's electorate – triggers a review into whether there is a need for the town council.

Cabinet reports say a referendum was requested, but because it would not give a full outcome and would cost around £15,000, it is not recommended.

Mr O' Brien added: "There is a keenness for a review on how Pontefract will be governed in the future.

"Because all the new authority would be concerned with is Pontefract, I think we could do a lot more for the town.

"The town council would only bring benefits to the town and projects could be paid for through grants, not just the precept."

If council chiefs approve the community governance review on Tuesday, two stages of consultation will start.

The first will raise awareness and include public meetings to gather residents' views, with a report submitted to full council in November.

If there is strong support a second, more detailed, consultation will take place before a final decision is made.