The ancient office of Lord Mayor should remain safe in York despite plans for a radical shake-up of local government.

Plans are afoot to sweep away red tape at the City of York Council and other authorities, allowing decision-making to be more accessible to local people.

Reformers want to inject new life into local government, which is often seen as an outdated institution.

As part of the Government's pledge to modernise local democracy, councils and communities are being consulted on the best way forward.

They are also being asked to consider whether they want directly elected US-style mayors, as will happen in London in May. These would have less of a ceremonial role and more of an operational one.

But the role of the Lord Mayor of York, complete with all its pomp and circumstance, seems safe.

Council leader, Rod Hills, said it would be up to the people of York alone to decide if they wanted a change. He said: "I do not think an elected mayor is appropriate for York. We have got a long tradition of the Lord Mayor."

But other fundamental changes are afoot at the City of York Council, and its, at times, cumbersome system of committees and sub-committees is seen as ripe for an overhaul.

Coun Hills said: "It is quite clear that the Government wants local authorities to modernise themselves.

"I think we do want to make changes. Most people in the city are not clear how and where decisions are made. It is not transparent.

And for a large number of members councillors, their access to decision making is quite tenuous.

"Their time would be better spent scrutinising decisions rather than what is currently political theatre in most committees."

Reforming the system would also, he said, release councillors from meetings to spend more time in the community.

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