DISTRICT council representatives have met to discuss proposals for a unitary authority for North Yorkshire.

Hambleton District Council chief executive Peter Simpson gave a presentation on the position of the North Yorkshire District Council Network, which represents the county's seven district councils.

The only council not represented is Richmondshire, which has yet to make up its mind on the proposals.

About 25 people attended, including representatives from North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Probation Service, the NHS, North York Moors National Park Authority and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Mr Simpson spoke in favour of enhanced two-tier working, which involves the existing districts working closely together towards a joint vision, with joint priorities, leadership and governance.

He said councils may not share the same point of view, but would speak with one voice representing the consensus.

He said North Yorkshire is the biggest county in England at 3,103sq miles, and a place the same size and shape would be covered by 76 administrative areas in and around Greater London.

The county council believes the cost of becoming a unitary authority would be £13.5m, but an independent financial evaluation by the network put the cost of change at £34m.

The network also commissioned a Mori survey of residents. It found that 75 per cent thought a unitary council would be too remote and less in touch, 71 per cent felt councillors would have less power to improve things in their local area and 71 per cent felt the area was too big to be served by one council.

When they were asked whether they were in favour of a unitary authority, 55 per cent said they were not.

Another Mori survey will target parish councils in the county to find their views on the topic.