The council leader wants the regional assembly abolished

Cllr Rodney Chambers wants to end the annual �20,000 payment to the South East England Regional Assembly (Seera).

He is writing to the Seera chairman to call for "a full and frank debate" about the assembly's future.

A Seera spokesman said the assembly had not yet been notified directly but would respond properly when it was.

Spending 'inappropriate'

The council leader said he wants to divert money to services in Medway by ending the Seera subscription from April 2005.

He said he would put his recommendations to councillors in the New Year.

"I do not feel it is appropriate for this local authority to spend council taxpayers' money on membership of an un-elected regional assembly," he said.

"We can ill afford to spend money on anything other than what is absolutely necessary."

A Seera spokesman said the assembly was unable to comment until it had been notified directly.

"We want to take the region forward over the next 20 years with sustainable housing and transport. Many members see the use of the assembly," the spokesman said.

North East referendum

Last month, people in the North East of England voted an overwhelming "no" in a referendum on a regional assembly.

More than three quarters of voters were against the plans and nearly half the regions eligible voters took part in the all-postal ballot.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott admitted "emphatic defeat".

Local government minister Nick Raynsford said the government was considering the options and deciding whether to continue with planned referendums in Yorkshire, Humberside and the North West.