Two more authorities pursue return to committee system of governance

Two more local authorities are to take advantage of the Localism Act 2011 and put proposals for a return to the committee system before meetings of their full council in May, it has emerged.

The governance committee at Brighton & Hove Council resolved last week to recommend to the unitary authority’s full council that it switch its governance arrangements from the current Leader and Cabinet model.

If approved, the new system of governance and a new constitution will come in to force immediately after the conclusion of the annual council on 17 May.

The London Borough of Sutton’s Executive meanwhile last night endorsed recommendations from the authority’s Community Leadership Advisory Group for a return to the committee system. The recommendations are to be referred to full council for adoption.

Last week members at South Gloucestershire Council voted by a majority to take advantage of the legislative change and move away from the Leader and Cabinet model. This was against the wishes of the Conservative minority administration.

Nottinghamshire County Council will later this week consider a report by its Leader, Cllr Kay Cutts, which argues that committees are the most democratic form of decision making.

See also: Between the lines – Graeme Creer analyses what the Localism Act 2011 has to say on local authority governance and explains which changes will have the most impact.