THE Secretary of State for local government will consider all relevant information before making a decision about whether to dismantle City of York Council under reorganisation proposals - but it is not clear if a recent critical public interest report will have any influence on the decision.

The public interest report into the council's handling of a payout to its former chief executive was published on the same day that a consultation on Government proposals for local reorganisation in North Yorkshire ended. Two options were put forward - one would see York merge with Ryedale, Scarborough, Selby councils. The other would see York remain as it is and a single North Yorkshire council take over the rest of the county. This is the option favoured by York council.

Some councillors feared the public interest report - York's second in five years - could have an impact on the Government's decision.

The Press asked the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government if the report would influence the choice.

A spokesperson said the Local Government Secretary is considering all proposals following the consultation before deciding which option, if any, to roll out. The Secretary of State will look at all relevant information available.

The decision is set to be made based on an assessment of the options against three criteria - if it is likely to improve local government service delivery, if it has a good deal of support across the whole area and if the area of any new unitary council is a credible geography.