Executive arrangements consultation

September's Brightside asked local people for their views on the best kind of decision-making structure for the council.

The choice was between retaining the 'Leader and Cabinet' model that has operated since 2001 or scrapping this in favour of a directly-elected mayor.

There were 346 responses via Brightside and this website. Of these 318 (92 per cent) supported the Leader and Cabinet model. This consultation has now closed. A special meeting of the Council will be convened on 9 December to formally adopt the updated Leader and Cabinet model.

Leader and Cabinet

The council leader is elected annually by ALL councillors.

The leader appoints a cabinet of up to nine senior councillors to oversee the key services.

Scrutiny committees vet ALL proposals before they are passed for decision.

Power is NOT concentrated in the hands of a single powerful person.

This model was backed by local people in 2001.

A directly elected Mayor

A separate election would be needed to appoint the mayor.

Setting this up would cost around £100,000.

The mayor has the power to make all the big decisions.

So far only 12 councils in the country have a directly-elected mayor.

The present system works!

The council is clear that it favours the current Leader and Cabinet Model.

• It retains the principle of openness and accountability in council affairs
• It avoids over-concentration of power in the hands of a single individual
• It has helped to deliver high quality local services and the lowest council tax in the country.