Transport bosses to answer to councils?

Bus and train bosses could be hauled before Rochdale council to explain poor performance under new Government proposals.

Communities Secretary John Denham wants to make organisations that run public services more accountable to local people by allowing councillors to grill them over the way they operate.

That would mean the council could call on senior executives from bus companies across the town and Virgin which operates the problem-ridden West Coast Mainline which runs from London to Manchester, to appear at question sessions held in public.

After the evidence sessions councillors would draw up reports making recommendations which, although not binding, Mr Denham insisted the organisations would find difficult to ignore.

The proposals are part of a Government plan to give councils across England the power to scrutinise £100bn worth of public services.

Police chiefs, health bosses, Jobcentre Plus officials and utility companies could all be grilled at the select-committee style sessions if the powers are brought in.

A three month consultation is now under way for councils and residents to have their say.

Mr Denham said: “Our ability to do this legislation fully depends on the extent to which people up and down the country say 'this is a good idea, we need these powers, get on with it'."

Other proposals include reforms of the way council housing is funded that will mean local authorities could keep hold of their rental income instead of having to hand it over to a central government pot.

The Government also want to give councillors extra powers to tackle climate change that could mean setting local carbon emissions targets.