Selby councillors were today accused of ignoring public opinion after plans for a London-style Mayor were torpedoed.

A postal survey revealed that 51 per cent of residents wanted a Mayor at the helm.

But at a meeting of Selby District Council last night, members voted unanimously for the so-called Option 4, a revamp of the present committee system.

Independent councillor John McCartney said today: "The people of Selby have spoken and been ignored because members don't like the consultation results.

"More than 50 per cent of residents voted for a mayor, but members obviously thought that was the wrong choice."

A referendum planned for October -- which would have been the first in Selby's history - has also been shelved, along with a Mayoral election next May.

Coun McCartney said: "The referendum result is binding and councillors didn't want to take that risk. It's a shambles."

The Department of Environment, Transport and The Regions (DETR) has advised councils that if there is "significant minority support" for either of the Mayoral options, then a referendum should be held.

In the questionnaire, returned by 1,500 Selby area residents, 36 per cent favoured Option 4, 28 per cent wanted a Mayor and council manager, and 23 per cent opted for a Mayor and cabinet.

Coun Brian Percival (Con) argued that the two Mayoral options results should not be lumped together. On that basis, the committee revamp was the outright winner.

Coun Arthur Cawood (Con) agreed, saying a referendum and Mayoral election would have cost ratepayers £50,000, which was totally unnecessary.

Coun Roy Wilson (Lab) said: "We were right not to rush into a decision, and it's important we now go forward unanimously."

Labour's Jack Crawford, who said recently that a mayor would be a "disaster" for Selby, denied claims that residents' views had been ignored.

He said: "They might as well strip Manchester United of the Premiership title by adding together the points of Leeds and Liverpool. The public has to accept that number one wins."

The DETR now has to rule on whether Selby's decision reflects the results of the survey.

Updated: 15:12 Wednesday, April 18, 2001