GREEN and independent campaigners have hit out at the Government's decision to abolish district councils across North Yorkshire to establish one authority, protesting it will leave the county with the worst democratic representation in Europe.

They say each new unitary councillor will be representing 8,000 voters and the government had already made its decision before the public consultation was held.

Concerns were raised by members of the Green Party and Independent Group on Richmondshire District Council. Councillor Leslie Rowe said: "In our opinion, the so called 'consultation' was nothing more than a smoke screen. It is just a pity that the district councils spent thousands of pounds identifying a realistic alternative that had no chance of success.

"This local government reorganisation will leave North Yorkshire with the worst local democratic representation in Europe. Each new unitary councillor will be representing about 8,000 voters. This is not what we would call Local or Democracy.

"Even worse, it is proposed that both the unitary authorities in North Yorkshire and York would answer to one, all powerful mayor, who would have the last word on everything.

"Rural communities like Richmondshire would suffer the most, being remote from the main urban centres of York, Harrogate and Scarborough. Even now, these urban centres gobble up most of the resources. Last year, the leader of the county council admitted that scare resources for such items as cycle lanes would always go to these three centres, as they have the largest population density. The new Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner admitted at a Scorton parish council meeting police resources for speed checks also invariably go to these centres. With these proposals, effective local democracy in North Yorkshire is dead.”

Cllr Kevin Foster added: "I feel It’s a very sad day for residents in Richmondshire although some might feel that the district council could have done better. I would like to ask that question in five years time and am certain they will have a different view. Residents constantly complain to me about the amount of housing development .This reorganisation makes planning oversight much more remote, which will definitely help developers build more houses that serve their need and not those of residents."