RIBBLE Valley Council has published a plan outlining its aims for the next 12 months.

Government regulations mean local authorities have to publish annual plans to improve their performance.

The Ribble Valley Performance Plan 2002-03 was given the thumbs-up by the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

It includes initiatives aimed at improving community safety and the borough's economy, environment and tourism, and outlines a new committee structure.

Council leader Chris Holtom said: "We believe this plan will help focus our attentions on the priorities for our community. It is primarily for those who live and work in the Ribble Valley, because what the council does affects their quality of life.

"The council is committed to improving the quality of services it offers."

The plan comes up before a meeting of the full council next week, before being published in a newsletter and circulated to households throughout the borough.

Coun Holtom added: "We aim to make the Ribble Valley an even better place to live through better policing, road safety and community initiatives."

The council's new committee structure was put in place following extensive consultation with Ribble Valley residents.

The membership of policy making and service committees has been reduced and there are two new committees called "overview" and "scrutiny," which will develop and review council policy, and scrutinise decisions made by councillors.

The new system, trialled from January to March of this year, also includes a Standards Committee for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by councillors.