PLANS to reform how Darlington Borough Council is run need to be more than "window dressing" if they are to succeed, say opposition councillors.

Yesterday, as reported in The Northern Echo, the council's ruling Labour group pledged to do more to listen to the electorate.

Councillor Jenny Chapman, cabinet member for communities and engagement, unveiled a number of measures she believes will allow the public a greater say in how the borough is run.

The move follows the mayoral referendum, in which the council was criticised for not listening to the views of the electorate.

The proposed changes include being able to communicate with the council by text message, allowing the public to ask questions at council meetings and holding cabinet meetings in community halls across town.

But Councillor Heather Scott, leader of the Conservative group, said more reform was needed, particularly with arrangements for the scrutiny committees.

She said: "The idea is very good, and I support what they're trying to do, but it's whether they really mean it.

"My major concerns are if they're going to carry out in practice what they're saying here.

"I'm still very suspicious that they're just paying lip service and so we'll be keeping a very close eye on this."

Councillor Martin Swainston, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said he would like to see area committees where local people could decide where money was to be spent in their neighbourhood.

He said: "I think this is basically window dressing and it makes you wonder whether they're capable of change. We want to see change from the bottom to the top.

"If they had an opportunity to influence the council, Darlington people would be falling over themselves to get involved."

Councillor Steve Jones, the only independent member of the council, said: "In principle these are good ideas and I hope that they come off, but it's not something that will happen in weeks and months."