A WIDE ranging review of services has been promised by Blackpool Council's acting leader George Bancroft.

Coun Bancroft, who took up the position following the shock resignation of Ivan Taylor as leader last week, has vowed to scrutinise all the council's services.

And he revealed this may involve changing the management of such activities as the zoo, transport and car parks.

He said: "Everything other than our core business will be reviewed by a scrutinisation committee which will include independent witnesses to see if they can be managed better.

"We will then be able to concentrate more resources on our core businesses like environment and housing." Coun Bancroft also told The Citizen that a main priority will be to reduce the secrecy surrounding decision-making in the council particularly within the executive committee.

"I want to build on the success of what Ivan Taylor achieved for Blackpool bringing unitary status to the town and gaining Objective Two and assisted status funding from Europe.

"But I would like to end the perceived secrecy surrounding decision-making at the council, particularly regarding the executive committee. Although the system is efficient as a decision-making structure I understand it is seen as a secretive cabal by some people.

"I want to make the council more inclusive by making decision-making more transparent and inviting councillors from other parties to join the key committees.

"Council taxpayers will have a better idea of what we do and how their money is being spent.

"It will be an inclusive council rather than an exclusive one."