Services like rubbish collection could be run by one council

North Yorkshire County Council was earmarked, in March, by the government to become a unitary council, abolishing the area's seven district councils.

Leaders of the district councils said a MORI survey commissioned by them has indicated voters are against the plans.

But the county council said a more detailed survey would have indicated public support for the proposals.

The Ipsos MORI poll surveyed 2,007 North Yorkshire residents over the age of 18.

The results showed 77% preferred to see the existing district and county councils working more effectively together than having one unitary authority.

One of the principle advantages of our proposals is the scope for making major efficiencies in the way local government is delivered John Weighell, county council leader

Another question found 71% said the area was too big to be served by one authority and councillors would have less power to improve things in their local area.

Councillor Arthur Baker, speaking on behalf of Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby councils, backed the survey's results.

He said: "Nowhere in central government's consultation plan do the 582,000 who live in North Yorkshire feature - the very people who these changes are going to affect most.

"The public has spoken and they have said no to a single council for their county."

However, county council leader John Weighell said about 90% of those surveyed said they had a much higher emotional attachment to the county of North Yorkshire, than with the specific district they lived in.

He said: "One of the principle advantages of our proposals is the scope for making major efficiencies in the way local government is delivered.