LABOUR councillors will decide on Monday final plans for a 'cabinet' style Wigan Council ruled by a leader and nine other councillors.

But the title of Mayor will not disappear in the most radical shake-up in the council's history.

The proposals will go before the Labour Group and if agreed on Wednesday by the council could be introduced in May - but only after a referendum of electors in April.

And if 5% of electors reject the council's recommendation, Labour leaders will have to review the situation.

The proposals from the Government's Local Government Bill include:

A powerful 'cabinet' of ten councillors;

The present 13 committee system scrapped;

Scrutiny and review panels set up to allow other councillors outside the cabinet to have their say;

Members of the public appointed to a 'standards' committee to ensure councillors meet their code of conduct.

Cabinet members would hold one of 10 portfolios including culture (tourism and leisure) and life-long learning (mainly education).

The new formula was discussed last Friday among all council members and widely accepted.

One councillor told The Journal: "Although there are changes, it will not be as big a change for Wigan Council as it will for others."

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