BLACKPOOL Borough Council's new cabinet is up and running.

The executive committee, designed to encourage councillors to work collectively beyond party political wrangling, was introduced on November 21.

But it does not contain any Tories.

Tory leader Coun Peter Callow refused to be part of the committee, fearing he would become a "lieutenant" for the Labour Party and that there would be no remaining opposition on the council.

Six of the seven members are Labour councillors and the seventh, Coun Robert Wynne, is the leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the council.

The cabinet, chaired by council leader Roy Fisher, is part of a new constitution aimed at giving the public a greater voice and making the council more publicly accountable for its actions.

The new seven-person executive replaces the previous 10-person executive committee and makes each member responsible for a particular area of the council's work.

Coun Fisher said the thinking behind the new scheme was to encourage councillors to work collectively, collaboratively and supportively in the best interests of Blackpool people.

The cabinet will take responsibility for most of the day-to-day council decisions. Cabinet chairman Coun Fisher said: "I make no apologies for proposing this radical departure from the way local politics has come to function.

"I am certain that if we work together we can establish common ground to improve the lives of our residents and visitors alike."

The Cabinet and their responsibilities:

Roy Fisher, council leader: Leader of the cabinet with particular responsibility for corporate issues, the budget and other financial matters, crime and disorder. He hopes to bring more openness, accountability and transparency to the political process.

Eddie Collett, deputy council leader, with particular responsibility for lifelong learning and citizenship, nursery education, schools, some responsibility for higher and further education, skills and training and vocational learning. Citizenship is a new portfolio concerning the reduction of social exclusion and exploring rights and responsibilities.

Roy Lewis: Regeneration and tourism.

Dave Ferris: Health, wellbeing and leisure.

Fred Jackson: Urban environment.

David Owen: Culture, arts and parks.

Robert Wynne: Partnerships, business and companies.