COUNCIL watchdogs plan to evolve into a more tightly focused select committee style organisation in the New Year.

Cumbria County Council brought in its new scrutiny committee system when the authority shifted over to Cabinet working four years ago. Scrutiny chairman Liz Mallinson said scrutiny committees had an important role to play on the council but they were keen to become more "focused, innovative and go-ahead".

She said scrutiny committees were keen to focus on four of five big "cross cutting" issues each year.

Mrs Mallinson said: "We will look at issues such as pattern of budget overspends, high budget services or a high level of customer satisfaction to help determine what those issues should be."