A NEW controversy is stirring in councils across North Yorkshire over rules imposed by the Government.

Some veteran councillors have said they will resign over the issue and there are warnings of increased costs; but there are others in local government who say there has been too much over-reaction to the rules, that they really won't alter very much the way business is now conducted.

All councils - including Ryedale District, town and parishes - have to adopt the new code of conduct being introduced by the Government by May 5 or have it imposed on them by Westminster. Members who fail to sign up to it and declare their interests will be automatically disqualified from office.

One of those who is fearful of the new Government legislation is the district's MP John Greenway.

He said: "Parish councils play an important role in giving a say to local people about local issues across Ryedale. But they now face being regulated out of existence."

He said that to obtain extra funding, the councils would have to meet centrally-set Whitehall targets.

"Large parishes could face new audit and inspection costs of up to £30,000 a year because of new so-called Best Value bureaucracy."

Mr Greenway added: "A new code of conduct will force parish councillors to disclose their personal and financial interests and those of their family and relatives. Parish councillors in Ryedale are honest and well-intentioned. The introduction of such rules has already caused some to give up their voluntary work and will discourage others from standing as councillors."

And he feared the Government could try to abolish parish and town councils altogether.

"I value the work of Ryedale's councils. But I fear these regulations could result in fewer people willing to become involved in parish councils across the country. If that were to happen, we might see the Labour Government trying to abolish them altogether."

But Ian Strong, director of the Yorkshire Local Councils Association, the voice of some 600 parish and town councils, said that while he was aware a number of parish councils and councillors were concerned about the new code, he believed there had been some 'scare-mongering' on the issue.

Some councillors had said they would not stay in office, but he believed a lot were 'coming to terms' with the code. "I think some parts are being taken out of context," said Mr Strong.

The town and parish authorities were already working to a code of conduct laid down in 1990.

"This one is just a bit more exacting. I am sure it will shake down. The message is that it needs to be put into perspective at parish level."

Mr Strong said that the YLCA was arranging seminars which will be attended by officials of the new standards board for local government.

"Parish councils should give the new arrangement a chance - it is nowhere near as daunting as they might fear."

The chairman of the Ryedale branch of the YLCA, Pickering councillor Gaynor de Barr, said: "The new code should be welcomed by councillors because it gives them protection, especially in an environment where the public can be suspicious. They are being asked to do no more than they are doing now. It merely provides for openness and clarity"

County and district councillors have had to register their interests for a considerable time and it seemed logical that parish and town councillors should do the same.

But certainly some councillors in Ryedale intend to retire. Among them is long-serving councillor Stan Johnson, who this week announced he was quitting after being a member of Malton Town council for 15 years.

The self-confessed multi-millionaire told fellow councillors that he was resigning on two counts - because of the new code of conduct and training being imposed on parish and town councillors, and because he wants to enjoy more holidays. Mr Johnson, 68, the founder and owner of the famous Eden Camp Modern History Museum at Old Malton, said: "This legislation is unnecessary for town and parish councils. I have had a good stint on the town council and I now want to enjoy my money by spending more holiday abroad and my hobbies of acupuncture and woodturning."

Updated: 10:22 Thursday, March 07, 2002