A CITY-wide consultation is set to take place on the effects a regional assembly would have on York.

A referendum is set to take place in August 2004 on whether people living in the Yorkshire and Humber region want a regional assembly.

City of York Council has expressed broad support for an assembly, but has raised a number of concerns.

Its main concern is that people living within the City of York would not get a vote on local government reorganisation.

This could mean York's boundaries changing without its residents having any say in the matter.

City council chief executive David Atkinson has written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which is co-ordinating the assembly plans, to highlight the council's concerns.

Council leader Steve Galloway has also raised concerns with local government minister Nick Raynsford.

Now, York residents are to be asked their views on the assembly issue through the city's ward committee system.

Speaking at yesterday's city council executive meeting, Coun Galloway said: "We should take the opportunity to use the council's existing consultation process in order to allow York residents to have an input."

Updated: 10:42 Wednesday, July 16, 2003