The popular image of parish councils only having the powers to take minor decisions may soon be a thing of the past.

Arun District Council is asking its colleagues at parish and town council level whether they want to take over responsibility for some services.

The subject will be up for discussion at two public meetings that will bring together three tiers of local government - parish, district and county councils.

Arun chief executive Ian Sumnall has invited the chairmen of all the local councils in the district. Residents will also be able to have their say.

Jacqui Ball, head of strategy at Arun, said the council was responding to a government initiative to strengthen the roles of parish and town councils.

Under the proposals, such councils that are granted "quality council" status would be given new powers and be allowed to bid for Whitehall money for projects instead of having to rely on the traditional parish precept in council tax bills.

Mrs Ball said: "We have had some approaches from town and parish councils asking what our attitude would be to the devolution of services.

"It is just thinking about what services could be devolved and if it would be better for residents."

The eastern panel meeting will be held at Arun Civic Centre in Littlehampton on January 16 at 7pm while the western panel meeting will be held at Bersted Community Centre in Bognor on January 29 at 7pm.