FEWER than one per cent of householders in Redcar and Cleveland have expressed an opinion on the future direction of the local council.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council received 575 replies to a questionnaire sent out to all households asking for opinions on a new political structure for the unitary authority.

The options for change being presented were for a mayor and council manager, mayor and cabinet or leader and cabinet, which the council has been operating for more than 12 months.

There was a narrow split amongthe replies, with 184 people backing the mayor and council manager option and 182 favouring a mayor and cabinet. The existing arrangement attracted 127 votes and 60 people called for there to be no changes made.

The council has decided to put the option of a leader and cabinet - the least favourite of the three, but the option favoured by the council - forward for further public consultation.

Coun Dave McLuckie, chairman of the New Political Structures Working Party, said that after consultation with focus groups, community organisations and parish councils the leader and cabinet option emerged as the most popular.

If the option goes through, the council plans to keep its ceremonial mayor. The new system will be implemented after next year's annual meeting.