Nottinghamshire plots return to "most democratic" committee system

Nottinghamshire County Council will this week consider plans to scrap its leader and cabinet model of governance and return to a committee system.

The meeting this Thursday (26 January) will decide whether to develop the proposals further.

The move comes just days after the relevant provisions in the Localism Act 2011, allowing a return to the committee system, came into force last week.

Cllr Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire, said: "The committee system is the most democratic and transparent form of governance. It ensures all 67 councillors elected by the public play a role in decision-making and shaping the policy of the council.

"It ensures greater transparency as no decisions are made behind closed doors – all decision-making meetings are held in public.”

Like other local authorities with a population of 85,000 or more, Nottinghamshire was required in 2000 to change from a committee system to a leader and cabinet or mayor and cabinet system.

Under its current system, decisions at Nottinghamshire are taken by the Council, the Cabinet or its individual members, and in some cases officers.

Nottinghamshire pointed out that reintroducing a committee system would “involve all decisions being made by committees rather than individuals with the exception of day-to-day operational matters”.

It added: “Committees would be made up of councillors from all parties to reflect the political balance of the authority.”