LANCASTER'S seven new cabinet representatives have decided who will take what responsibility under the new regime at the town hall.

Led by Cllr Tricia Heath, the cabinet will take most of the key decisions on local government in the future.

As reported last week, it will include members of four political groups, with the Labour group still coming under fire for its decision not to take part.

Regeneration will be the responsibility of Conservative leader Cllr James Airey and Liberal Democrat Cllr Caroline Simpson.

MBI Cllr David Barker will take responsibility for community affairs while his colleague, Geoff Wilson and Conservative Cllr Clive Lamb will handle internal affairs.

Green Cllr Gina Dowding will take responsibility for external affairs, and is particularly keen to improve the way in which the council takes account of the views of the public.

She said: "Questionnaires and so on have a role, but what we really need is people from the town hall talking to groups and individuals and becoming more user friendly."

She particularly wants to involve people in the council's local agenda 21 discussions, which will examine how the council can improve its environmental performance.

"A lot of people have heard of agenda 21, but not that many know what it is about," added Cllr Dowding, "but everybody in the area should be involved in discussing action about environmental issues."

Cllr Heath said: "The first cabinet meeting went very well with all the groups represented working together.

"Cabinet members have now been appointed their special areas of responsibility and I am certain they will do a first rate job."