COUNCILS in Lancashire could take on presidential-style directly elected leaders under changes put forward by the government.

Whitehall’s Empowerement White Paper, which includes powers for councils to change their leadership model, is out to consultation.

But it is understood Lancashire County Council councillors are not backing the move.

And Blackburn with Darwen councillor Michael Lee, due to take over as leader of the borough in December, said: “We would not support going for a directly-elected mayor.

“It becomes too personality-driven, which is not something we would support.”

As things stand, all council leaders in Lancashire are nominated for the position by their political group.

Meanwhile in Bury, residents recently voted ‘no’ to a directly elected mayor in a referendum.

Ged Fitzgerald, chief executive of Lancashire County Council, encouraged people to respond to a consultation on County Hall’s new constitution.

He said: “Central government introduced a new law last year which allows councils to choose either elected leaders or elected mayors.

“Under the current setup in Lancashire, the leader appoints the cabinet members and serves for the whole of the four-year administration - unless removed by the council.

"It is currently proposed that this setup would continue under the new constitution.”

* Email elizabeth.smallwood@lancashire.gov.uk or write to County Hall to get in touch with your views.