LIBERAL Democrats on Pendle Council want to bring opposition councillors in from the cold by including them in the political process.

Labour and Conservatives are not allowed to serve on the council's cabinet-style decision making executive committee.

But now Lib Dems have voted to change the authorities' constitution so that opposition councillors can come to meetings and take part in debates but not vote.

The move comes after the administration pushed through a motion for Nelson Committee to hold a 'special meeting' to consider its chairman and vice-chairman after councillors elected a Labour chairman in place of Liberal Democrat Coun David Foster, as reported in Saturday's Lancashire evenign Telegraph.

Council leader Coun Alan Davies said: "The leader of any political group will have the right to have papers for, attend and speak at meetings of the executive but may not vote.

"The chairmen of area committees will have the right to have papers, attend and in particular present items referred to their committee.

"This was an offer made informally last year and not taken up so now we are making it formal and will amend our constitution accordingly."

But Labour and Conservatives abstained from voting on the idea because it was presented to them just ten minutes before the meeting started and they wanted the issue deferred to allow them time to consider it.

Labour group leader Coun Frank Clifford said: "We have to make a decision, eat it over the next 12 months and see whether we get indigestion or feel more comfortable.

"Coun Greaves wants to find meaningful and helpful ways we can all be involved in the process but in the beginning does not give us the opportunity.

"So I have to say the words have little meaning and fall on stony ground."