A BUSINESS organisation is calling for the private sector to be given more influence over public bodies.

The North-East Chamber of Commerce is asking the region's quangos to review their purpose and strategy following a survey of business leaders appointed to their boards.

Just over half - 54 per cent - said the organisations were making a worthwhile difference, and one in five respondents said the level of support given to public sector board members inhibited their roles.

Only 58 per cent thought quangos' strategies matched those of similar organisations in the region.

Chamber chief executive George Cowcher said: "Concerns over the setting of the quango agendas, decision-making and feedback are very real.

"We will communicate these concerns to all of the public sector bodies in the region and advocate more involvement of the private sector in the processes."

The chamber carried out the survey to determine the extent to which business was able to exert influence on the boards and steering groups of public sector organisations.

Its findings were revealed at the chamber's annual meeting, held in Durham, this week.

Sixty two per cent of respondents felt the balance between public and private sector representatives on boards was broadly correct, but 25 per cent said they wanted to semore private sector representatives.

While 92 per cent felt they played a full role in discussions, the figure fell to 73 per cent for decision-making.

Only 54 per cent felt they could set the organisation's agenda.

Mr Cowcher said: "It is clear our members feel business needs to have more influence over the agendas and work of these quangos, and that to do so, they need more and better support."