A WAR of words between the region's two councils ramped up a gear today with the East Riding accusing Hull of mounting a "hostile takeover" in parts of its area.
The latest salvo from County Hall was revealed in a letter from East Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby and chief executive Nigel Pearson.
They wrote to researchers assisting an independent review commissioned by Hull, which is examining council boundary and governance options.
Last week the city council published a lengthy statement on its website about the review.
In it, Hull says the East Riding had twice been invited to "participate" but had failed to either respond to or even acknowledge the approaches.
In their letter, Cllr Parnaby and Mr Pearson maintain their authority had no record of any communications on the matter.
However, having subsequently obtained copies of the two emails sent by the researchers, they say the offer amounts to the East Riding having the role of an "observer" at meetings of the commission.
They said: "It is clear from our proposed observer status that we will not be able to influence the recommendations of the commission and the offer appears to place a veneer of balance upon what is essentially a one-sided Hull-centric process."
Cllr Parnaby and Mr Pearson also criticise the way the review was instigated by Hull.
They said: "While we do not question the integrity of any members of the commission, we are concerned that the commission is being used to lend credibility to a review process which has been fundamentally flawed from the outset and is being driven for what appears to be mainly political purposes.
"At no point has the commission or the city council taken into account the very clear views of the elected members of this authority."
East Riding councillors have already voted to oppose any boundary changes. They have given the go-ahead for a referendum on the issue next month, which will involve 70,000 households.
Cllr Parnaby and Mr Pearson said any contested attempt to redraw the political map of the area would be frowned on by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, making it unlikely that any official review would ever happen.
They said: "The unanimous resolution of our elected members means it is a pointless exercise for the commission to examine any of the options which involve combining the two councils into one or in expanding the city council's boundaries. We have concluded the city council's actions represent a hostile bid to take over parts of the East Riding."
City council leader Councillor Steve Brady said: "Evidence is being sought from a wide range of national and regional organisations and experts, including East Riding Council.
"I am disappointed that the East Riding have declined the offer to be involved, as the aim of this inquiry is to look at how the wider area can benefit economically by working together for inward investment.
"The commission is fully independent and supported by the Institute of Local Government Studies, an academic centre for research and teaching on local governance and public service management."
