SWINDON residents are being asked to keep a check on the council.

People living in the borough have been invited to join the standards committee, with the job of making sure Swindon Council does not misbehave.

It does this by setting codes of conduct, issuing guidance and dealing with complaints.

The committee consists of three councillors, a local parish representative and three members of the public, one of whom is chairman.

The council needs to appoint three new lay members to serve for periods of two, three or four years, to take up office this June.

Lay members need to be available for at least five meetings a year, which normally last between one and two hours.

They need to be non-party political, have not been a councillor or officer of the council within the last five years, or be related to or be a close friend of a current member or employee of the council.

Anyone interested can obtain further details and an application form from Stephen Taylor, the council's Director of Law and Corporate Governance on 01793 463012 or write to him at Swindon Council, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH.

The closing date for applications is May 21 and interviews will be held at the end of May or the beginning of June.