WYCHAVON District Council claims the public is being robbed of the real opportunity to choose how its council is run.

The council has been told by the Government it cannot continue with its current committee structure and instead must consult on other options required under the Local Government Act.

The Act is designed to streamline local government and options include:

l having a leader and cabinet,

l having an elected mayor and cabinet or

l having an elected mayor and council manager who will meet and discuss policies and decisions.

These can then be scrutinised by a separate committee if required.

Wychavon wanted to be allowed to continue with its present structure which is a leaders' panel made up of the chairman of each of the council's five committees and chaired by the council leader Malcolm Meikle.

The panel can make recommendations and offer guidance. Issues discussed are published for the public after each meeting and are discussed at one of the council's five committees.

The council received a letter from the DETR earlier this week saying it can only consult on the Government's three options and no others.

Coun Meikle said: "I have received a response to my letter to John Prescott and to say it is unhelpful is probably an understatement.

"It refers at one point to alternative executive arrangements that may be available for Welsh councils, but says such a facility is not appropriate for English councils.

"We think it is absolutely appalling that our residents should not be given the opportunity to comment on an alternative proposal that satisfies the Government's objectives and can be implemented at minimal cost and disruption."

On Tuesday the council's resources committee passed a resolution deploring the Government's attitude to the council's initiative. Coun Meikle said if Wychavon refused to accept the reply, it was likely an administrator would be appointed to oversee the consultation.