WILTSHIRE County Council has received praise from central government for allowing members of the public have their say.

John Prescott's department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, has singled out the council for keeping its constitution permanently under review.

The council's standards committee, which is composed of four independent members, and two councillors, is responsible for reviewing.

The report says that the council has "taken the bold step of allowing a committee with a majority of members who are independent to monitor the way in which the constitution is working.

"The approach taken by Wiltshire County Council is based on the notion that the constitution is a dynamic document and continual monitoring and review ensures the constitution becomes a document at the centre of council affairs," says the Deputy Prime Minister's office.

Independent standards committee chairman Richard Tickell was elated with the praise.

"I believe this is a demonstration of the council's commitment to listening and responding to the public, and involving them in local democracy," Mr Tickell said.