A COUNCIL'S plan to move to a multi-million pound headquarters could hinge on the debate over regional assemblies.

Consultation is under way on the future shape of local government across North Yorkshire, with several options under scrutiny by Westminster's boundary committee.

If change is approved, then the county could end up with one all-purpose council or a number of smaller, unitary authorities working under a regional assembly.

But while the debate rages around the region, Richmondshire District Council's officers have continued to thrash out the details of a controversial move from cramped offices around Richmond to purpose-built headquarters on the Colburn Business Park.

Some Richmond residents and the town's Business and Tourism Association have resisted the relocation, saying the loss of one its major employers would have a serious impact on the local economy.

But a report on the multi-million pound project will be presented to councillors early next month and they will have to decide if they want to press ahead or wait until they know the outcome of the debate over a regional assembly.

Tony Clark, executive director of Richmondshire District Council, said: "What we have been doing over recent months is assembling relevant material on the condition of the council stock and its value.

"The last piece of the jigsaw has been establishing how we would finance the move, but that is almost complete and we should be in a position to submit a report by February.''

Mr Clark conceded the argument over a regional assembly could have a bearing on the project.

"I cannot prejudge the outcome of the meeting, but it may be that members will want to wait until they know the outcome of the current debate," he said.

When the council originally expressed an interest in moving in 2001, the owner of the business park, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, imposed a deadline, indicating the authority would have to decide by last October if it wanted to be sure of securing the prime site.

But with no other companies yet to sign up, Mr Clark confirmed the council had been given a period of grace.

"It's fair to say Yorkshire Forward has been generous about extending the time we've been allowed," he said.