NEIGHBOURHOOD consultation is to take place in York over possible boundary changes linked to a Yorkshire and Humber regional assembly.

A referendum is set to take place in August next year on whether Yorkshire and Humber residents want a regional assembly.

Setting an assembly up could lead to changes to local government boundaries, including that of the City of York.

At Tuesday's City of York Council executive meeting, members agreed to consult York residents through the ward committee system.

After Thursday's strategic policy panel meeting, Labour group members claimed they had persuaded the ruling Liberal Democrat group to commit to more consultation.

Labour leader Dave Merrett said: "Now we can be more confident that York people will be properly informed of how any proposed changes would affect them, and they will be able to express their views on the subject.

"It is essential local people are kept informed and involved when it comes to important changes for the city."

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway said there would be no special consultation, but the council's "normal processes" would be used.

These include the quarterly residents' opinion surveys.

He welcomed the consensus between the two groups on the need to consult on the possible boundary changes.

Updated: 08:43 Tuesday, July 22, 2003