BOLTON, Bury, Salford and Wigan councils were among those represented at a Warrington conference yesterday.

Public Services Minister Peter Kilfoyle encouraged the role of local authorities across the North-west as leaders and champions in their areas.

He praised innovative councils who are teaming up with businesses by setting up Local Business Partnerships - and encouraged more to follow their lead.

He said: "The Government has promised to place on councils a new duty to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their own area by working in partnership with local people, local businesses and local voluntary organisations."

The Government is seeking to encourage more councils to be involved in local partnerships.

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