Existing plans, advanced in the Whole Council Blueprint Design, envision 27 so-called 'Belonging Communities' spread across the county.

They would be delegated certain powers and be able to spend public money on local priorities.

But there was outcry when it emerged that their membership would be largely unelected and drawn from across a wide range of public and private sectors.

Among those expected to make up the bodies were representatives from local business, development agencies, environmental groups, churches, schools and the tourist industry.

With only 67 councillors across the entire county, however, they would be in the minority, with just two or three per belonging community.

Now, in the first major challenge to the plans, the leading Liberal Democrat group says unelected bodies will have no place in the new committee set-up.

Lib-Dem leader Jeff Reid said: "The Blueprint Design will be reviewed. Some of it will survive, and some of it won't.

"We're very unhappy about the Belonging Community proposals as they stand."

Coun Andrew Tebbutt, group chair, said: "It is our view that unelected bodies are not the way forward.

"There is a difference, however, between scrapping the idea of Belonging Communities than changing their composition and making them entirely accountable.

"How that will happen will require very careful consideration."

The newly-formed Conservative-Independent group has itself made it a priority to axe the suggested system, which it says has hardly any support.

At its first meeting since the election, group leader Coun Peter Jackson, and his deputy, Chevington councillor Glen Sanderson, laid out their priorities.

Coun Jackson said: "These include keeping the council tax rises below the rate of inflation, promising better maintenance of roads and pavements, scrapping unfair charges for transport for post 16 students and fighting against any threats to our Post Offices and other rural services, raising funding through getting rid of the 27 Belonging Community quangos that have received so little support.

"We will urge the new council to move on these issues without delay."