WATFORD councillors have agreed to set up a special committee to examine its local government modernisation plans.

Under legislation currently going through the House of Commons, local authorities are going to have to abandon decision-making committees in favour of an elected mayor or a cabinet-style executive.

At a meeting of the council on Wednesday, July 19, members voted in favour of setting up a scrutiny panel, made up of councillors of all three parties - two Labour, one Liberal Democrat and one Conservative.

The group will consider the options before giving Watford residents a chance to vote on them in a referendum.

Liberal Democrat group leader Iain Sharpe, said: 'The current system is cracking at the seams but it's vital we do this work to make sure the new constitution is open and democratic, and doesn't concentrate too much power in too few hands.'

Leader of the Conservative group Tim Williams said: 'Some councils which have jumped the gun and changed the way they operate already are experiencing problems.

'Local government in Watford needs to change. The quicker it comes about, the better for Watford, but it needs to be a structure that works well.'

Labour council leader Vince Muspratt said: 'I believe the current system is flawed because it doesn't give everyone a fair and open say when so much is done behind closed doors. Hopefully, the system that Watford chooses will lead the way.'

By 2002, councils are expected by the Government to create small decision-making cabinets, which will report to meetings of the council, instead of all councillors making the decisions.

The council has carried out some public consultations on two models the Government has proposed, either an elected mayor and cabinet, or elected leader and cabinet.

A report to the meeting said a MORI poll and community workshops showed the mayor model was the most popular, and the council hope to ask Watford residents if they agree in a referendum.

However, first it has to submit proposals to the Government. These must include how the leader model would work in case the public vote against the mayor model.

The Local Government Act 2000, issung the new regualtions, is expected to become law in the next few weeks.