DISTRICT councils in North Yorkshire may not be forced to merge as part of plans to reorganise local government, according to a Minister.

But Phil Woolas, the Local Government Minister, said he felt the way county and district authorities were currently organised in the region was unwieldy.

He said he was pressing for a debate on whether new arrangements could bring better value for taxpayers.

Following a stakeholder meeting in York, at which Mr Woolas met representatives from all the councils to discuss the prospects of reorganisation, he told the Evening Press there was no pressure to change.

The news may offer relief to district councils, such as Ryedale, Selby and Hambleton, whose survival had appeared to be under threat after the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) kick-started the debate on reorganisation.

"North Yorkshire is a very big area," Mr Woolas said.

"It may be that some councils may want to look at joining some of the districts together.

They may decide they want to stay as they are.

"In a huge geographical area, are the districts too big to be local, but too small to be powerful?

"Is there a view for amalgamating?

But I am not coming here to tell them what to do.

"We want them to have a look to see if other arrangements could bring better value for the taxpayer."

Mr Woolas said there were seven district councils in North Yorkshire, each of which has its own rubbish collections and other services.

He said the reorganisation effort was to try to encourage councils to set up more effective arrangements.

"The Government's strategy is to encourage and ensure that departments work together.

"That may involve merging of councils and creating unitary authorities - making arrangements for councils to work together or be reconfigured," he said.

"What we are not saying is 'You have to do it'.

"We are inviting councils to put forward proposals."

Updated: 09:52 Tuesday, April 04, 2006