A MAJOR shake-up for town halls is on its way, says Pendle MP Gordon Prentice.

And he warns that Government-demanded changes aimed at bringing councils closer to the people would dramatically alter the way the town halls are run.

With the possibility of early legislation in the Queen's Speech in November, the MP said he hoped everyone would start thinking about the options.

"The Government's proposals, published in July, allow for councils to have a very different look and feel."

Mr Prentice made his statement at a Labour Party meeting in Nelson where he said local government minister Hilary Armstrong, who visited Pendle earlier this year, had called for vibrant, dynamic local politics, inspiring not just the energy to vote but the enthusiasm to get involved.

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