EACH area of Darlington could soon have its own local decision-making body after a proposal by a newly-elected councillor.

The bodies would give the public and councillors more say in what happens in their communities.

The idea was proposed by Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Barker - and council leader John Williams did not rule it out.

Area committees are popular with local authorities across the country.

They are usually made up of a small number of neighbouring wards - for example, Haughton West, East, and North - with councillors from those wards sitting on the committee.

They are often given control over a budget and can raise local policy issues to be examined by full council.

However, rural wards, such as Hurworth and Middleton St George, would not have area committees because they have parish councils.

Coun Barker made the proposal at Friday's council meeting for the council's constitution review.

"It is something which is in operation the length and breadth of the country," he said.

"It is something to engage local councillors and local people in the way of the council.

"It is something to get decisions made from the bottom up rather than the top down."

Coun Williams replied: "It is a possibility. There are a lot of possibilities.

"I don't want to pre-empt the review that is taking place."

Coun Barker said money could be spent on projects such as play areas or environmental schemes.

"We need to treat them seriously," he said.

"It will enable councillors to spend money that is closer to them rather than the council.

"It also gives councillors more say in their area."

Area committees were included in the Liberal Democrats' local election manifesto.

Full details, including how the wards would be divided, have not been finalised.

Councillors will be able to have input into the council's constitution review.

At Friday's meeting they agreed a temporary constitution.

The 11 most deprived wards in Darlington already have community partnerships - groups of volunteers which meet monthly to discuss ways of improving their areas.