Services like rubbish collection could be run by one council

North Yorkshire County Council members have voted in favour of submitting a business plan to the government.

Instead of district councils running some services and the county council controlling others, it would mean just one authority doing everything.

Union leaders said the move made sense, but asked for jobs to be guaranteed.

'Golden opportunity'

The county council is responsible for services such as libraries, museums, roads and social services.

The seven district councils run services such as rubbish collection, housing and environmental health.

Council leader John Weighell said: "The challenges of the future mean that we cannot stand still.

"It is therefore important that we seize this golden opportunity that now arises to harness all of the skills and resources across local government, and to do an even more effective job."

COUNCILS WHICH COULD MERGE North Yorkshire County Council Hambleton District Council Harrogate Borough Council Richmondshire District Council Ryedale District Council Scarborough Borough Council Selby District Council Craven District Council

The new council would give much better value for money, he added.

The Local Government White Paper, presented in Parliament in October, gave the go-ahead for councils to bid for unitary status.

Alan Hughes, of Unison's Yorkshire and Humber branch, urged council chiefs to save jobs in the process.

He said: "We know that a single tier council makes sense, but we want guarantees of jobs.