A CONSULTATION process has started on proposals which will see radical changes to the structure of Lancaster City Council.

From May 2002, in order to comply with the Local Government Act 2000, the old-style committee system will replaced with a new system, which aims to make local decision making more efficient.

The Act gives local authorities three management styles to choose from, and LCC is now consulting local people on which model it should adopt.

The three options are:

1 Leader of the council with cabinet: Sixty elected councillors would select a leader and cabinet of members to make decisions.

The remaining councillors would scrutinise the cabinet's performance.

2 Directly-elected mayor with cabinet: The electorate would vote for a mayor of Lancaster as well as a local councillor.

The elected mayor will then appoint a cabinet of elected councillors to make decisions.

Remaining councillors would scrutinise these decisions.

3 Directly-elected mayor with council manager: The mayor would be elected as in Option 2 but would appoint an officer known as council manager to make day-to-day decisions.

The mayor would provide political leadership and guidance, and decisions would again be scrutinised by local elected councillors.

The council's current preferred option is that option 1 will best suit this area, but it is seeking the views of local people.

As part of this process a roadshow is being held at the Civic Hall, Carnforth, on Tuesday, February 6, from 2pm-7pm.

Other roadshows are taking place at the Victoria Institute, Caton, on February 5 from 2pm-7pm; the Arndale Centre, Morecambe, on February 8 from 10am-5.30pm; and at Marketgate, Lancaster, on February 9 from 10am-5.30pm.

For more information, or to comment on the options, call 01524-582905, or log on to the council's website at www.lancaster.gov.uk