MEMBERS of the public may soon be able to give their views at council meetings.

Councillors in Rossendale are due to discuss whether to allow third parties to speak at meetings where issues such as planning applications are to be discussed.

Members and council officers attended meetings in Pendle, Burnley and Bury where third party speaking is already accepted. A report to the engineering and planning committee tells councillors: "The advantages achieved by introducing this practice were evident in the satisfaction of the people who spoke and it also enables authorities to show that their decision making was transparent, open to public scrutiny and fully in accordance with the Human Rights Act."

Councillors will discuss proposals on Monday.