COUNCILLORS could be thrown off their committees if they fail to undergo specific new training programmes.

The move will see all district councillors at Burcot Lane receive specific training and be issued with clearly defined job descriptions.

All members will be given questionnaires on their capabilities in certain areas of the council, and they will be accredited for undergoing training specific to their roles.

Bromsgrove District Council leader Roger Hollingworth (Con-Alvechurch) said it is imperative to ensure that councillors are representing their constituencies properly, and that the role of a councillor has become much more of a professional job.

"Councillors are not amateurs any more, it is becoming a much more professional job," he said.

"We can't tell a councillor how to run his ward, but we will set out guidelines of what we think they should be doing.

"We are trying to ensure that councillors represent their constituency properly.

"Members will be asked what they are good and not good at, and if they do not take the training we will remove them from the committees.

"We have pulled in a lot of advice from different places, and there will be a clear description of every job we have."

Cllr Hollingworth hopes that planning committee members will begin training in September, while new councillors will be sent on an induction course.

"The planning committee is very special," he said. "The days of members turning up and having a cigarette have changed dramatically, and members must be much more aware. Members almost have to be professional planners," he added. The scheme has received the full backing of opposition councillors.

Labour leader Peter McDonald (Lab-Waseley) said it was "a step in the right direction," while Independent councillor Nick Psirides (Ind-Norton) said it should "separate the wheat from the chaff."