County fears over quangos (From Warrington Guardian)

County fears over quangos

A SURVEY into the growing number of non-elected public bodies operating in the country is to be conducted by Cheshire County Council.

A scrutiny group will examine quangos - organisations responsible for influencing decisions with no direct political accountability - in an attempt to transfer their powers back to elected authorities.

Council leader Paul Findlow said: "Far-reaching decisions involving tremendous amounts of public money are being made by these organisations.

"We need a more exact picture of a situation which is concerning local authorities."

Labour leader Derek Bateman said: "This is not a political issue. All three groups on Cheshire County Council are agreed the present situation is unacceptable and we urgently need to establish a way forward."