THE youngest member of the influential group looking at the future shape of York has resigned, saying he felt like a "spare part".

Andy Milson, who was a co-opted member of the Without Walls partnership committee, said it was becoming too much like a "policy machine" and run like a council department.

But the 27-year-old, who is a co-director of events organiser and publisher Stone Soup, plans to stay involved with York At Large - a sub-group of the main committee which looks at the city's cultural development.

"It (the committee) has become very formal - too formal," he told the Evening Press.

"It started out as a new, exciting thing, but more recently it seems to have lost its way a little bit.

"We all felt like a bit of a spare part, but it's still at an early stage."

The Without Walls partnership consists of many influential York organisations and aims to shape how the city will look in 20 years.

Mr Milson stressed he had not fallen out with anyone and "respected" all the board members. Another reason for his resignation was a busy workload and the fact he had agreed to be on the York Food and Drink Festival board.

"It's one of the best things I've ever done," he said.

"Without Walls has stimulated me and my company to contribute and think a bit more long-term about the city. It's my absolute desire that it does work, but at the moment I don't think I can have much impact on it."

Sir Ron Cooke, who is also a co-opted member of the Without Walls committee, said Mr Milson would be "sorely missed".

"He was a very vigorous and clear thinking member of the committee," he said.

Updated: 11:07 Thursday, December 18, 2003