A BURNLEY councillor has called for residents to be included on the committee that will scrutinise plans to transform their areas.

Councillor Rafique Malik believes people living in the three areas of the town earmarked for regeneration in the Elevate housing market renewal programme should be allowed to take part in .the debate on the future of their communities.

At a meeting of the housing and health scrutiny committee this week he suggested the council invites one representative each from the three areas - Burnley Wood, South West Burnley and Daneshouse with Stoneyholme - onto the the committee.

Speaking after the meeting he said: "All the areas have a residents' action group and representatives should be co-opted onto the committee so that when anything comes onto the agenda about Elevate they are able to attend the meeting, ask questions and take part in the debate.

"I believe this will ensure a continuous flow of communication between ourselves and the community. This is an initiative to extend democracy and will maximise their participation." The committee agreed with his suggestion and officers were asked to bring a report to the committee on how this could be done.

This will then have to go before the council's executive committee and the full council for the final decision.

At the meeting Trinity resident Brian Barritt complained that the council was not listening to the residents. He is one of hundreds of people who has complained about the plans for the three areas.

After the meeting he welcomed Coun Malik's idea to have representatives from the three communities on the committee for any future discussions of the Elevate programme.

Brian, 65, of Dean Street, one of the streets threatened with demolition, said: "People are concerned about what is going to happen in their areas and we should have a say because it is our town as well.

"We live here and we have good ideas on how to make our neighbourhoods better and these need to be heard.

"Having representatives from each area on this committee will give us a voice and will allow to make a contribution to the plans for our future."

An announcement on Elevate is expected from the Government at the end of the month.