RESIDENTS in Crewe and Nantwich are to have their say on how the council should change to fit in with a national programme.

The Government is proposing a modernisation programme where all councils will have to organise themselves in one of three ways.

The changes are aimed at making the councils more responsive and accountable to local people.

The new ways mean a small core of councillors will be responsible for making day-to-day decisions.

They, and all councillors, will be expected to have more support and take up issues on behalf of the communities they represent.

The three options are:

A mayor who is directly elected by the people of the area and assisted by a small group of councillors

A mayor who is elected by the people assisted by a professional manager

A leader elected by councillors and assisted by a small group of councillors. The ceremonial role of the mayor would not change.

The third of these is being recommended by the borough council as the best option for the area.

The policy committee meats today, Thursday, to discuss the options and if approved the proposals will be the subject of widespread consultation between the end of November and mid January 2000.

At this point the people of the borough will be able to express their opinions on the proposals.

Leader of the council, Cllr Peter Kent said there had been much debate with the party and with other councillors.

He added: "We welcome the opportunity the Government has given us to bring local government into the 21st century and back to the heart of the community who elected us.

"There seems to be an overwhelming body of evidence that says that this is the way forward. However the views of the people of Crewe and Nantwich are essential before any final decision."

Cllr Marshall Nield, leader of the Conservative Group, said: "The Government has said that we must change the way we organise our decision-making.

"The most important issue is 'will a change make any difference to how people feel about their local council?' That is why we need your views."

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