COUNCILLORS in Three Rivers are disappointed after learning that the authority's population is likely to be too large to allow it to opt out of changes forced on it by the Government.

The Local Government Bill was to force all councils to abandon decision making committees for one of three new systems - a cabinet with a leader, an elected mayor with a cabinet or an elected mayor with a managing council officer.

However, an amendment, introduced last week, will give councils with a population of 85,000 people or fewer the chance not to change.

Although the current calculated population of Three Rivers is below that mark - 84,500 - when a new census is announced on Thursday, August 24, the figure is expected to be 86,500.

The council has so far been reluctant to change but is having a year of experimentation to prepare for the legislation.

It now has a cabinet which makes decisions with an executive committee and leader.

Leader of the council Mrs Ann Shaw was disappointed Three Rivers would not be able to keep its system.

She said: 'We feel the old way was more responsive and more democratic. We must now just try to make the best of a bad situation.'

Conservative group leader Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Boleat said: 'It is a pity we are not going to be able to offer the choice of status quo.

'However, the experimental year is working quite well and the council is working well together. We are now going to be stuck with a new system so we are determined to make it work.'

Labour group leader Councillor Glyn Abraham feels the old way was better. He said: 'It is a pity, as the Government's proposals are not something I follow wholeheartedly.

'I think the system we have at Three Rivers is better than what the Government is proposing but not as good as what we had before.'