A PARTY leader said the shake-up of council procedure was a missed opportunity.

Darlington Borough Council's cabinet has approved changes to give people in the town more say about how the authority works.

Residents will be allowed to ask questions at cabinet meetings without prior notice. They will also be able to ask questions in full council meetings by applying in writing more than a week before the meeting.

But Liberal Democrat leader Martin Swainston said: "I feel this fails to deliver. I think it is a missed opportunity as it stands at the moment."

He said the plan did not describe how the council would deliver its proposals to residents.

Council leader John Williams said: "Obviously there are ways of going ahead and we will have to see how it goes. People want to see results. We will listen to their concerns. We want to include residents and this is what this is about."

The proposals are part of measures designed to improve communication.