PARISH councils have nothing to fear from changes to South Ribble's political structure.

That's the message from borough chiefs after local councillors expressed concern that the forming of new areas committees - designed to promote political awareness and devolve power from the civic centre - could spell the end of traditional parish councils.

South Ribble's new political structure takes effect from January, and traditional committees will be replaced by a government-style cabinet, advised by area committees.

And while the proposals have been widely welcomed, local councillors had feared the end of parish councils could be nigh.

A white paper on rural affairs is due to be unveiled by the government next month, and political observers claim it could result in parish councils being axed in favour of neighbourhood forums.

Senior government officials have been quoted as saying parish councils are moribund and not representative of the areas they serve.

Coun Tom Sharratt, a borough councillor and member of three parish councils, said in his Idle Toad political magazine: "Parish councils are at the very grassroots of democracy. It will be a sad day if they are outlawed.

"I fear the plans are being designed to get more Labour people in control at this level. Area committees are not necessarily directly elected, and Labour has had problems in some areas in getting members on to parish councils."

But Michael Cronin, of South Ribble Borough Council, said: "There are no plans to scrap parish councils. The area committees are designed to get more grassroots activity.

"The key word is co-operation, and there will be a great deal of that between parish councils and area committees."

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