UNITARY status for Blackburn and Darwen has moved a step closer with MPs set to debate the issue in Parliament next week.

Special orders giving effect to Environmental Secretary John Gummer's decision to allow Blackburn to 'go it alone' were set before Parliament last Tuesday.

And a committee set up to monitor the breakaway from county council control will meet for the first time on the same day as next week's debate.

The Local Reorganisation Committee, which meets next Thursday, June 27, includes some of the borough's most influential and well known councillors.

The group, chaired by Gail Barton, includes council leader Malcolm Doherty, deputy Bill Taylor and head of the Conservatives Ian Forrest.

Councillors Sue Reid, Edna Arnold, Jim Blackburn, Andy Kay and Mohammed Khan make up the rest of the team.

Coun Barton said: "I am very pleased that the order has now been laid before Parliament.

"It removes the uncertainty and I now look forward to working with Lancashire County Council so that together we can plan the change over in the best interests of the people of Lancashire."

It means the council's well documented bid to run its own affairs in a single tier authority should be confirmed before the summer recess. April 1998 is now the likely date for confirmation of the re-organisation.

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