A DECISION to investigate the Salvation Army and the YWCA has been labelled absurd by Tory leaders.

A major review into the work of quangos in Blackburn and Darwen is being put together by town hall bosses.

But the council's Conservative group has slammed the decision to add charity groups and schools to a list of more than 70 organisations defined as quangos by the council.

Coun John Williams said: "We are not opposed to looking into the affairs of quangos but to investigate groups like the Salvation Army is patently absurd.

"We think this is a ridiculous waste of officers' time and council tax payers' money."

The furious councillor added: "Several schools have also been added to the list and this has turned something which could have had some merit into a ridiculous situation."

"The whole investigation has been made to look ridiculous."

Council leaders called for the survey into the work of independent organisations more than two years ago.

They expressed amid concern about the growing influence of Government appointed bodies in the borough.

But the original survey had to be put on hold because the policy unit at Blackburn town hall was tied up with other work. The aim is to collect information on all quangos operating in the borough and make it available to community groups and public organisations including trade unions.

A directory will be published and borough residents will be able to obtain copies from libraries and council offices.

A draft questionnaire will be sent to many of the major organisations working in Blackburn and Darwen.

The detailed survey will be sent to just four organisations and if it is a success will then be distributed to over 30 quangos and public bodies.

Police and health authorities along with sports councils, the National Lottery's Millennium Commission and public utility companies will eventually get copies of the survey.

Officials from quangos could also be invited to the town hall to answer questions about their work.

Malcolm Doherty, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "There was some doubt expressed about some of the organisations included on the list but we have asked the officers to look into it and report back to us.

"But it is fair to describe grant maintained schools and colleges as quangos. National commentators believe colleges have become the leading quangos in the country."

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