RESIDENTS in Pendle are going to be more actively involved in decision-making on issues affecting their lives in the borough.

That is the aim of a proposed Community Involvement and Consultation Strategy being developed by the council.

Jane Wright, of the council's corporate policy unit, said: "Pendle Borough Council is committed to doing its best to ensure that the community is involved in decision-making.

"In this way, the council can provide its services efficiently and be responsive to local issues.

"Community involvement can also help foster active citizenship, enhancing local democracy.

"In order to improve its approach, Pendle Council is developing a consultation strategy that will provide a framework and direction for effective consultation and involvement.

"There are always a range of views held within any community and the council must take all these on board, while also paying regard to legal requirements, the availability of resources and the strategic best interest of the borough."

All the area committees will be asked to consider the strategy, discuss any amendments to it and forward them to the officers by June 19.

Many of the government's proposals for local authorities requires that local people are properly involved and consulted about services and plans.

Traditional approaches adopted by councils include press releases, notices on lamp posts, newsletters, public meetings and exhibitions and displays.

But the Government's modernisation agenda contains a new role for local authorities of 'community leaders' who work in partnership with other agencies ad local people.

Information should be provided to the community free from jargon and written in simple language, as well as in large print, tape and in some ethnic minority languages, and feedback should always be given to those who have been consulted.

The community should be involved in the early stages of planning and strategy development, enabling them to have a real input in formulating ideas as opposed to simply endorsing the approaches the council develops.