A COUNCIL has agreed to continue its "wait and see" attitude over changes to the way local government is run.

Teesdale District Council is one of the few authorities in the region still to make a decision on which system to adopt as part of the Local Government Act.

The Act, which was introduced to improve efficiency in local government, outlines three options for councils to adopt: a cabinet with a leader elected by the council; a directly elected executive mayor and cabinet; or a directly-elected executive mayor and council manager.

But a last-minute amendment to the Act enabled district councils with a population under 85,000 to retain the committee structure without a separate executive, which members of Teesdale District Council have agreed would be their preferred option.

Because Teesdale is the fourth smallest district council in the country, the fourth option is a possibility.

But at a meeting of the council, members refused to make any decisions until they had received clear guidance from the Government.

Councillor William Salvin said: "I would still hold the line until we have got the necessary guidance and then move quickly and decisively, instead of spending hour after hour discussing it before realising later that the goalposts have been moved."

Other councillors urged action immediately before Teesdale was left behind.

Councillor John Watson said: "We have to act now and look to be making decisions on what we are going to do."

Members agreed to wait for further Government guidance, due next month, before making a decision