A NEW "customer feedback policy" at Blackburn with Darwen Council has already got more people complaining - including opposition councillors.

Eight Tory members have used their collective voices to call for the new policy to be looked at again.

Led by Conservative group leader Colin Rigby, the group is unhappy that councillors could have less involvement in resolving complaints from members of the public.

The new policy, passed at a recent meeting of the Labour-led ruling executive committee, seeks to streamline the way complaints are dealt with.

Apart from a name change - which was also criticised - the new policy has been deemed undemocratic because only one councillor, either an executive member or a nominated replacement, will be invited to take part in the process.

Coun Rigby said: "This is just another move to concentrate power in the hands of Blackburn with Darwen's executive.

"There has to be more involvement from back bench and opposition councillors. We were told the change was because some people were overawed facing a panel, but I never met one who was."

Coun Rigby was backed up by Paul Browne, leader of the LibDem group. He said: "We are not happy with this and will be bringing it up at a meeting.

"Members have always been involved before so why can't they continue?"

According to a report the process was being changed because co-ordinating councillors to take part was causing delays.

John Milburn, the council's executive member for resources, said the public had to come first. "Opposition councillors were only invited as observers and some people were put off by the number of people attending hearings.

"I am going to argue that the public have to come first."