have lost their clout.

One idea is for councils to join the war against drugs.

New Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill announced the initiative yesterday.

He will meet with leaders of the nine parish councils over the coming months.

And he will ask them to recommend steps to improve them.

"The decision about what to do will be mine, although I will listen to every recommendation,'' he said.

Mr. Dill said he hoped to forge links between the councils to let them bounce ideas off each other.

"There are key individuals in every community who have particular influence.

"I hope to identify them. Parish councils would be an ideal vehicle for them to get in contact with each other.

He added: "I want to create a sense of commonality between the councils.'' Concern was expressed recently over the councils after a Department of Social Services' shake-up.

Under it, 12-member councils no longer played a key role with social assistance cheques.

Applications were now approved by Social Services, and payments sent to people, bypassing councils.

Other powers have also been stripped from the authorities.

Until 1971, councils collected a portion of property taxes, and had responsibility for street lighting, garbage pick-ups, district nursing, and weights and measures.

Now one of the main matters they dealt with was rest homes.

Former United Bermuda Party backbencher Mr. Anthony Correia accused Government this summer of making the councils almost impotent.

The ex-chairman of the Smith's Parish council said responsibility was crucial to attracting good people.

"The incentive has gone. Councils feel they are just a body that has no clout and they have very little usefulness.'' Shadow Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome called for councils to be strengthened.

He said they needed to resume their role as "ombudsman'' between the public and Government.

This role had been undertaken effectively by their predecessors -- parish vestries.

Government responsibility for the councils has shifted from the Social Services Ministry to the Human Affairs Ministry.

Mr. Dill said it was now necessary to redefine parish council roles.

"We need to review the role, and I will invite parish council to make recommendations to me as to what they should be doing.'' He added councils may get involved in the anti-drugs drive.

"Parish councils want to serve their communities and we have to see how this can be done most effectively.'' Mr. Dill said his tour of councils would take several months.