A PLEDGE has been made to reduce bureaucracy in delivering council services.

Sunderland City Council claims it can do a better job for the people it serves through working better with central government departments.

Today, it will become one of 14 councils across the country to take part in a three-year pilot of new local service agreements.

These set targets on key services, including education, social services and reducing youth crime.

In return, the council will receive powers that will enable it to reduce bureaucracy - plus £1m to put its plans into action.

The council's plans include improving educational standards, getting more young people to vote, reducing youth offending, increasing participation in sport and physical education, increasing employment opportunities and putting its service on-line.

The council will provide smart cards so all 11 to 25-year-olds will be able to access services by computer.

The council's chief executive Colin Sinclair said: "Local Public Service Agreements will revolutionise the way central and local government work together to deliver better public services.

"We're delighted to be in right at the very start.''

The council's Labour leader Colin Anderson said: "By negotiating directly with the Government, we have been able to cut through unnecessary red tape to provide more efficient and effective services.

"That has to be good news for the residents of Sunderland.''