LOCAL authorities could find difficulty in attracting people to stand as members because of the image they have acquired, a senior Ryedale councillor has warned.

Coun Keith Knaggs, leader of the Conservative group on Ryedale District Council, told members that the new code of conduct introduced under the government's Local Government Act was "bureaucratic nonsense".

He said that time and effort was being expended by the council, yet there had only been six instances where any gifts had been received over the value of £25 in the past three years.

What he described as "the small minority of rogues" in local government had tarnished the image of councillors generally.

"It makes honest men and women reluctant to stand for office," he said, adding: "They are potentially seen as being untrustworthy in office."

Coun Knaggs forecast that parish councils in particular could have difficulty in finding sufficient members at the forthcoming elections in May.

But Coun Gary Hobbs, chairman of the standards committee, said the annual probity audit carried out on councils by the District Auditor did provide councillors with a defence if any gifts were received. "You are protecting yourself," he said.

Updated: 11:55 Saturday, January 11, 2003