Bradford Council is expected to review its constitution to bring the district's ground-breaking youth parliament into decisions.

The Council's elections unit will also be involved in the ballot when the first members are elected at the end of this year.

The formation of the parliament to give young people a voice was a main recommendation in the Ouseley Report into the district's race relations problems.

Now the first major steps to make it a reality will be taken at Tuesday's executive committee.

Members will be recommended to look at changes to the constitution and approve the formation of the parliament.

The young "MPs" will be aged from 11 to 25, the executive will be told by officers serious consideration is now being given to the setting-up of a children's parliament.

The age range of the main youth parliament will be reviewed in 2004. Members are also being recommended to set systems in place for the creation of area youth-based forums.

David Ward, the Council's executive member for education, said: "The parliament is a positive step forward in giving the younger generation more say in decision making and contributing to the community. They will make decisions on how the parliament works themselves and will have the power to make a difference to the lives of others.

"The active involvement of young people in the democratic processes of civil society teaches them how to take responsibility for the way they act and encourages them to become more involved in their local community."

lMembers will be told strong progress is being made in the Council's action plan drawn up in response to the Ouseley Report.

The plan includes achieving set targets in reading and maths, raising achievement and a reduction in truancy by 2004.

It also aims to develop twinning between schools and organisations, reduce drug abuse and attract investment into the district from the Government and private industry.

Chief executive Ian Stewart will tell members progress includes consultation with groups over sports activities across the district; a meeting with the Government and Yorkshire Forward on a co-ordinated approach to the underlying causes of the riots; improvements in school funding; and launch of an Urdu language video encouraging people to take part in elections.

The committee will be told nine people qualified for jobs in a modern apprenticeship scheme and Bradford's bid to become European Capital of Culture is also due to be submitted.

Members will consider an outline community cohesion plan for the district drawn up in response to the Denham and Cantle reports for the Home Office into disturbances in towns and cities including Bradford last summer.