new system for council decisions

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New system for council decisions

The council will soon have a new system for making decisions. The government has told the authority to get rid of its existing committee system in favour of a cabinet and a leader.

The council leader will have increased powers under this new system, but can delegate executive decisions to the cabinet, individual members of the cabinet or senior council staff.

The council will set the overall budget and policy framework in which the cabinet operates. Meetings of full council and statutory committees, such as planning and licensing, are likely to remain as before.

Councillors from all political groups are keen to ensure open, transparent and accountable decision making and good public involvement are built into the new system, and that the council creates stronger overview and scrutiny of cabinet decisions.

The change is being forced on the city under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act despite all political parties on the council being against it.

Council leader Brian Oxley said: “Councillors from all parties believe that our current committees are open and representative of the spectrum of views.

“But as a new constitution is being forced onto us we need to ensure the new constitution includes the best aspects of the old, so decision making is transparent and truly reflective of public opinion.”

The council aims to introduce the new system in May. More details in the next edition of City News, or you can see our frequently asked questions on the proposed change