The new ruling Lib Dems are scrapping area panels and replacing them with seven community assemblies.

Each community assembly will be given £50,000 of council cash and residents can decide whether to spend it on parks, libraries or street cleaning.

What do you think the money should be spent on? Add your comment below.

The Lib Dems say for the first time power will be shifted from the Town Hall and handed directly to residents so they can shape their own communities.

Sheffield Council deputy leader Coun David Baker said: "Our proposals for community assemblies are about giving people a voice and choice.

"They signal a massive shift from current ways of working and put local people in charge of their local services, starting with libraries, parks and how streets are cleaned.

"This will allow services to be shaped according to the needs of local communities, moving away from a one size fits all approach dictated from the Town Hall."

Lib Dems say the change will also make local councillors more accountable.

Coun Baker added: "Assemblies will also mean a much stronger role for local councillors, making them directly accountable for what is happening in their community.

"Every single ward councillor will be part of decision making about budgets for their area. Each assembly will agree a community plan for the area and set targets agreed with local people."

Plans for the Community Assemblies will go before Cabinet next Wednesday and will take around nine months to implement.

The current area panels have been in place for over 10 years but the Lib Dems say they have limited funding and can't directly influence and make decisions on local services.

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