Area Councils - giving people a REAL say

9.09.02pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 4th Apr 2007

GIVE YOUR AREA A REAL SAY AREA COUNCILS -

Local people - Making Decisions Locally

In our Liberal Democrat Budget proposals we said that we would establish six area councils in the borough, four in Blackburn two in Darwen.

Area Councils would:-

? Be made up of ward councillors and co-opted members from the community.

? Have a budget of their own to spend on local projects, initially £60,000.

? Concentrate on local issues that most concern the community. Issues such as the environment, crime, youth provision and measures to improve their area.

? Put local services, and facilities like sports centres, community centres, parks and cleansing on the agenda so that they can be tailored to meet the needs of local people.

? Make sure that local concerns are not lost in other council business, and that any consultation would be meaningful and carried out properly.

? Actively encourage local people to voice their opinions.

? Enable ward councillors to be better informed when making decisions about local people and their needs.

? Be supported by council officers, who would get to know the area.

Taxes would not need to be increased to pay for these councils, the money would come from amalgamating departments and reducing the number of Directors employed by the borough council.

Labour refuse to have them because they don't believe in allowing residents to take part in meaningful decision making.

The Conservatives wont support them, although Tory controlled Hyndburn council have them.