ONE of the few remaining local authorities yet to modernise in the wake of a Government drive to make councils more accessible decides the way ahead this evening.

With a poor turnout at local elections now the norm, Westminster is keen to streamline local government in the hope of making it more attractive. As a result, each council was ordered to consult on a choice of new structures in the late 1990s.

They could opt for either an elected mayor, a council leader and cabinet whose decisions are monitored by a series of all-party scrutiny committees, or a revamp of the current committee system.

To date, most district and borough councils in the region have adopted the cabinet system - including Hambleton.

However, after more than a year's consideration, Richmondshire seems set to take a different tack this evening, with councillors asked to approve a streamlined committee system which would be unique to the district.

If the proposals are given the go-ahead, the current five committees would be reduced to just three. They would include:

* The community committee, which would preside over issues such as housing, leisure and health and safety.

* The environment committee, which would administer planning, parking, playgrounds, and refuse collection.

* The resources committee, which would govern housing benefit, tourism, finance and emergency planning.

Each would comprise ten members, although all decisions would then be monitored by compact, five-member, all-party scrutiny committees, acting as both a safety net and a democratic check.

Current chairman of Richmondshire District Council, Jane Metcalfe, said: "The new streamline system should be far more efficient, enabling members to spend more time out in the community - taking on leadership roles and spearheading new initiatives."