PEOPLE power is set to take precedence over politics in Chorley.

A resident of the borough, who is not involved with any political party, is to be recruited to head up a new Standards Committee, which is being established by the local authority under the government's modernisation programme.

The radical shake-up has seen Cabinet-style local government come to the borough and as part of the new system Scrutiny Committees will be set up to monitor and enable councillors to ensure that services meet the needs of their constituents and are being properly and effectively delivered.

At the same time, the Standards Committee will be established, to give advice and support to councillors, particularly on matters of conduct and ethics as well as handling complaints.

Chorley council leader Coun John Wilson, said: "The intention is to appoint someone from outside the council in order to keep the red tape to the minimum.

"All we require is that they are not currently members of any political party or of another local authority and that they have good standing in their local community. "We want this appointment to be above politics and to ensure that our council runs in both a fair and appropriate fashion.

"The post will carry a modest honorarium and to make sure the appointment is fully open and unbiased we are publicly inviting applications."

The Standards Committee will be an integral part of the council's new decision making structure.

Chorley has been working to the new system since last September, even though a Bill currently going through Parliament will not make the new structures mandatory until next year.

The committee will meet as and when required, which would be at least two or three times a year, as well as for other informal meetings.

Further information about the post and what it entails is available from the chief executive's office on 01257 515104.

The closing date for applications is Friday March 24.

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