PLANS to scrap unelected regional assemblies could see more powers passed to a beefed-up super quango, it is feared.

Kent council chiefs and MPs have welcomed the announcement that SEERA, the South East England Regional Assembly, is to be axed by 2010.

But they have voiced disquiet about government proposals to pass on some of SEERA's powers to business-led regional development agencies.

That is likely to result in SEEDA - the South East England Development Agency - assuming new powers over how millions of pounds is spent on housing, transport and planning.

There are concerns the new super-quangos will suck away even more powers from local councils and prove less accountable than regional assemblies, which themselves were criticised for being unelected.

Kent County Council leader Cllr Paul Carter (Con) said: "This idea of passing more powers to a super quango is like healing the wound with a sticky plaster solution rather than through surgery.

"All this will do is create yet another tier in government when the best solution would be to devolve these powers to local authorities delivering on the ground."

That sentiment was echoed by Ashford MP Damian Green (Con). "My view is that there should be more decision-making at local level so the decision to scrap SEERA is a good thing but not if more powers are devolved to another unelected quango.

"It is locally-elected councillors who should be taking decisions because they have a democratic legitimacy that regional bodies do not."

Ministers say measures will be brought in to "strengthen the public scrutiny and accountability of regional plans and the work of the Regional Development Agencies".

In a bid to boost local economies, local councils could be legally compelled to boost jobs and investment. Councils could also get more money from supplementary business rates to pay for projects that develop the local economy.