A SINGLE council covering North Yorkshire could save taxpayers between £10m and £21m, according to the latest report presented to senior county councillors.

The Boundary Committee for England is looking at reorganising local government.

A single council for North Yorkshire, two unitary authorities with Selby relocated to the East Riding and three unitary authorities, also with Selby relocated to the East Riding, are among the options.

The comparative costs have been roughed out and the Boundary Committee said one all-purpose North Yorkshire council would be £3m cheaper than two and £6m cheaper than three - although none of the estimates include set-up costs.

North Yorkshire County estimates, if set-up and running costs are included, one council would be £10m cheaper than two and £21m cheaper than three. County council leader John Weighell said: "Six million pounds is bad enough but we think people ought to know what the real costs could be.

"Our report shows that they will be higher than the estimate by the Boundary Committee; £10m is equivalent to £51 difference in the annual council tax bill for a Band D property and £21m is equivalent to £108."