LOCAL councillor John Byrne has joined Bury and Rochdale Health Authority as a non-executive director.

He will be involved in the day-to-day running and decision-making of the authority in commissioning, monitoring and developing health care services.

The post runs until March 2001 and involves several days' work a month for an annual payment of £5,000 .

Coun Byrne, former leader and now deputy of Bury Council, has represented East ward since 1984, an area with one of the worst health records in Bury.

He is a former member of the Family Practitioners Committee and was chairman of the Joint Consultative Committee between the health authority and the council.

Coun Byrne said: "I welcome this opportunity to play a part in ensuring we raise health standards.

"I hope I can help further co-operation between the various agencies seeking to provide care, safety and good health to all members of the community."

Two people from Rochdale, Ms Debbie Abrahams and Mr Abdul Chowdry, have also become non-executive directors. The remainder are authority chairman Mr Alan Maden, Mrs Hilda Harvey and Mr Lyndon Price.

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