CHANGES to provide better protection for Bury's children could be on their way in response to a high-profile national tragedy.

A string of measures to plug gaps in the welfare system are being considered as part of Bury Council's response to the Government's Children's Bill.

Radical changes to the protection offered by social services nationally were proposed by an inquiry into the death of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie at the hands of her guardians in London.

The proposals were discussed by members of Bury's executive committee at a meeting last Wednesday.

The bill includes proposals for a Children's Commissioner and extra child protection duties for education and social services. It calls for greater co-operation within local authorities and with outside partners such as the police, probation services and health authorities.

Also included are proposals for a director of children's services, presiding over education, social services and children's healthcare.

A lead council member would be appointed, and the Government given greater powers to intervene where local authorities are deemed to have failed.

Tory leader Roy Walker expressed concern that the changes could create new administrative problems.

But the executive member for health and social services, Mike Connolly, said: "There are very real issues we need to discuss before we start to look at structural changes.

"We don't want to be rushing too quickly into any reorganisation; we need to get it right for the children and parents that we need to serve."

Council leader John Byrne added: "If children are vulnerable it is important to ensure there is a back up that will ensure they can live a happy and fruitful life."