POLITICAL leaders in Blackpool have approved plans to revolutionise the running of the borough council.

With the overall aim to cut back on bureaucracy and pave the way for citizen-centred services the plans include a massive shake up abolishing some traditional committees and sub-committees and the creation of a cross party Executive Committee.

Made up of the council leader, deputy leader, four Labour councillors, one Conservative and one Liberal, the EC would meet weekly as the driving force behind the council. However, the full council would still retain overall control of new policies and the budget.

In addition, there would be five policy review committees - education, urban issues, social services and housing, community services and tourism and economic development - to act as scrutiny panels for the EC.

The changes, which mark the most radical make-over in 100 years, are being proposed in the run-up to the introduction of the Government's Modernising Government white paper.

Town Hall policy-makers approved the new structure in a meeting on Tuesday (May 11). Now the proposals go to full council in July for ratification.

If it's given the go-ahead the new look system could be in place as early as September 1 as an interim measure until the Government's bill becomes law.

Council leader Ivan Taylor said the proposals would mean a radical overhaul of decision-making, replacing it with a swifter process that would be more responsive to the needs of residents.

He said: "The council is responding to the Government's modernising agenda. This is a new opportunity for the council.

"It would be a radical, almost revolutionary change, but one that's needed to bring this council up to date with modern conditions."

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