Care of public land surrounding schools and council property is expected to be taken out of North Yorkshire County Council control in Harrogate and Selby.
Private companies would take over contracts for grounds maintenance work in the towns.
This would mean 16 council employees, who work on maintaining grounds at schools and sites including libraries and offices, would have their employment transferred to private companies.
The move has been criticised by the council's opposition parties.
Liberal Democrat leader Caroline Seymour said: "Opposition members were shocked to hear that the decision had been taken at a secret meeting of cabinet members prior to the report being put to the corporate policy committee."
Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, January 24, 2001
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