Councillors on a new scrutiny committee want to hear 'from the horse's mouth' about plans to privatise city centre management.

Organisations will be invited to a meeting of the Economic Scrutiny Committee to give their frank views on the radical proposal.

The committee decided it wanted to hear what people felt despite being told by officers that a major presentation was already being arranged.

Assistant director of Regeneration Richard Willoughby said the city centre steering group, Chamber of Commerce and other bodies were being invited to a meeting when Coventry Council - which trail-blazed private city management - would give a presentation.

But Scrutiny Committee Chairman Councillor Simon Cooke (Con, Bingley Rural) said they wanted to hear what people had to say - rather than just be told what was happening elsewhere.

He added: "We want to hear from the horse's mouth about why people want or don't want to do this. We also would like to hear from members of the public because we feel their views are equally important."

Councillor Cooke said there was wide public interest over the district about what happens to the city centre and people had strong views. "It is one of the few issues that people talk about in the pub."

Councillor John Cole (Lib Dem, Baildon) said the public should not be ignored for the sake of listening just to organisations.

The proposals were approved at last week's executive committee, which refer-red them to the Scrutiny Committee for its views.

It would result in a private company made up of a public/private sector partnership taking over the city centre and be responsible for services.

The company would also try to attract funds from the government and Europe.

It is understood the district-wide council held cleansing contract may be changed to split off the city centre as a separate service.

The company could start operating by the end of the year if the proposals are accepted.

The GMB has already said it has grave concerns for the future of staff, including cleansing workers, and is planning a mass meeting.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.