A TOWN'S plan to leave it's local authority for a neighbouring county has failed, but campaigners have vowed to continue.

The Yarm for Yorkshire campaign to move from Stockton council control for next-door Hambleton has been rejected by councillors.

But Paul Smith, who ran the Yarm for Yorkshire campaign, said there are now plans to mobilise people across the whole of south Stockton and "move on to a Plan B".

Thornaby Town Council has already promised people in that community a vote on whether to leave Stockton council and the idea of creating a new council for South Stockton has been raised.

At Stockton council’s full council meeting at Stockton Town Hall on Wednesday (SEPT17) the idea of referring the issue of moving Yarm to Hambleton District Council to the Government’s Boundary Commission was discussed.

The issue was forced on the agenda following a vote organised by Yarm Town Council in May in which 89 per cent of people voted to leave Stockton from a 24 per cent turn out.

Many people in the area have been annoyed at the council’s approval of plans to build hundreds of homes in the area and the introduction of pay and display on Yarm High Street.

However, after a sometimes heated debate in Stockton Town Hall, a clear majority of councillors decided not to refer the idea to the Boundary Commission.

Leader of Stockton Council, Cllr Bob Cook, Labour, said even an initial review would cost at least £100,000 and eventually much more, the people of Yarm would receive far less central Government money for health care in Hambleton compared to Stockton and there would be serious problems relating to school catchment areas.

He said: “I would like to assure Yarm residents and businesses that we remain committed to making the best decisions we can, based on evidence and with the sole motivation of improving life and experiences for residents, businesses and visitors to Yarm."

Cllr Mark Chatburn, Ukip, a Yarm councillor, voted against the idea of referring the issue to the Boundary Commission.

He explained that Yarm was already in Yorkshire and “has been since Yorkshire existed” and the real problem was voters had not been given enough information on important issues.

After the debate Paul Smith, leader of the Yarm for Yorkshire campaign, said a Plan B involving mobilising people across south Stockton was being formulated. He said: "Stockton council wanted to retain their Cash cow in Yarm. This is a catastrophic failing in democracy.”