VOTERS are being urged to help drag the town hall into the 21st Century and decide how they want to be ruled.

Residents now have a chance to choose a directly-elected mayor, as happened in London, or stick with the current system.

Councillors have until June to go for one of three options proposed under nationwide plans to modernise local government and this month, they are asking residents what they think.

The three options are:

A leader and cabinet model, which the council has been piloting for the last two years. The leader, normally head of the largest political group, is chosen by fellow councillors, and works with a cabinet who each have their own policy brief. The full council would make key decisions such as setting the Council Tax, and a series of scrutiny panels would oversee decisions. As now, there would still be a mayor for ceremonial purposes.

A directly-elected mayor, voted for by the public and answerable to them. He would reign for four years and choose the cabinet. This system is widespread in the USA and Europe. A directly-elected mayor and a council manager. The mayor would set policies, and the manager, appointed by the council, would carry them out.

If five per cent of Bury people (or 6,965) sign a petition calling for an elected mayor the council will have to hold a referendum by the end of the year.

Some think that such a mayor could raise the borough's profile and increase interest in council work. Critics feel that such a system puts too much power in the hands of one person.

The first meetings to get the message across are tomorrow evening (Wed Jan 31) before the full council meeting at Bury Town Hall, and then next Thursday (Feb 8), from noon to 1pm, in the Elizabethan Suite.

Presentations will be held at the six upcoming area boards: on February 6 (Ramsbottom and Tottington, at Whittle Pike in Ramsbottom); February 13 (Prestwich, at Heaton Park CP School); February 19 (Bury East, at Fairfield CP School); February 20 (Radcliffe, at Radcliffe Civic Suite); February 22 (Bury West, at Bolton Road Sports Club); and February 27 (Whitefield and Unsworth, at Ribble Drive CP School). All the meetings start at 7pm.

Any groups who would like their own presentation, which is available on audio tape and in other languages, should contact Jackie Mason on 253 5128. Or email your views to her at j.mason@bury.gov.uk.