OPPOSITION councillors in York are pushing for a full public consultation on York's membership of a combined authority.

Conservative councillor for Rural West York Chris Steward, and his party's group leader on the council, is proposing a motion that City of York Council commits to give people the chance to make their views heard on York becoming a full member of the new West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).

The motion is one of several to go before full council meeting today.

Cllr Steward said he does not believe joining Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield in a combined authority is in York's best interests, but is putting the motion forward to make sure the city's views are heard.

He added: "We believe the best interests of York lie in looking north and east. However, beyond the issues surrounding the desirability of joining this new entity, we remain concerned at the financial commitments the council has made or are required to make in order to take part, and whether the benefits are worth the costs.

"Our motion asks that the residents of York be given the chance to hear the arguments for themselves and to respond to an issue that will have a profound effect on the city for years to come."

York is currently awaiting a Government ruling that will decide whether the city - currently a partner member of WYCA - can become a full member of the authority when it is not contiguous with the other member areas.