A COUNCIL leader has strongly criticised the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, claiming the organisation has "lost the plot."

John Blackie, county councillor and leader of Richmondshire District Council, told a meeting the organisation was too expensive and did not address the issues faced by the people of his district.

The Conservative politician made the comments at a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council's Richmondshire area committee in Catterick yesterday.

Mr Blackie, who is a member of the assembly and attends its regular meetings, said: "I think it's lost the plot - it frankly isn't delivering

"I wade through these reports and they have very, very little relevance to the issues that concern us here in Richmondshire.

"It's too expensive - our regional assembly costs 30p per head of population. Comparable assemblies cost 11p."

The Government shelved referendum plans for a Yorkshire and Humber elected regional assembly in July.

But a non-elected version of the organisation still operates, drawing its members from local authorities, health bodies, the police and other organisations.

County councillor Carl Les also criticised the assembly, describing it as "unsustainable."

But he added that it was better to try to change the organisation from within, rather than walk away from it.