SENIOR councillors in North Yorkshire will be asked to authorise spending on a mobile information unit already branded a waste of money by opposition members.

The county council's communications scrutiny committee believes a flagship vehicle costing £50,000 to £80,000 would help to highlight the work of the authority in towns as well as remote rural areas that have limited public transport.

The committee said the unit would improve public relations at shows and other events and give easier access to groups such as young people, those returning to work, migrant workers and people with disabilities.

It would also support consultations on council budgets and waste disposal and improve public awareness of campaigns involving recycling, road safety and trading standards issues.

The committee was urged to ask the county council executive to support a proposal for a 23ft unit to be built by a specialist company in Scarborough. Satellite technology, giving network access in areas that cannot receive mobile phone signals, would cost an extra £14,000.

Liberal Democrats said the money involved would be better spent on other services, and said running costs were unclear.

The executive is being recommended on Tuesday to set aside money in the 2007-8 budget for the purchase and running costs.