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Simplified local leadership structures

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Notagranyet24 Fri 27-Jun-25 13:10:52

One of our local councillors has posted locally about a new government proposal re local authority organisation, this is a link to the proposal:

questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-06-24/hcws736?fbclid=IwY2xjawLLZShleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBKSjNkUWJHNVlKVmFsQ05KAR7R16Hs4UKZeJEkseIW2vaMQBkD0iKGw6j7600jInmyadrFHxxIYszDme6XBg_aem_cY1P2rk8UNqxj9PB_KFePA

It's a statement by Jim MacMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. It's long but basically it says 'The government plans to legislate to abolish the committee system, requiring those councils currently operating this model to transition to the leader and cabinet model (which the vast majority of councils in England already currently operate). This will simplify the governance system and ensure all councils operate an executive form of governance, providing clarity on responsibility and accountability, and improving efficiency in decision making. This change will provide clearer, more easily understood structures at a local level, improving efficiency and preventing authorities from wasting taxpayer funds on needless changes to systems of governance. The law already allows for and requires overview and scrutiny arrangements to be in place.

I know that many will support local authority reorganisation but our councillor who posted is concerned about local democracy if the committee system disappears

As Jim MacMahon says: 'Our ambitious plans for local government reorganisation will build the foundations of better local governance, enabling decisions to be taken, more easily, at the most effective level of government. Strategic regional mayors will be empowered to drive local growth in the long-term, with local authorities tackling big challenges in service delivery lead by a leader and their cabinet.'

I understand that this will be debated in Parliament and there will be an opportunity for a local council to call a referendum if if the electorate want to change their council’s governance structure following receipt of a petition (strange mode of carrying out a consultation?).

Obviously it's early days but with the shift in voter allegiance away from the main parties, this will set in motion another huge change. Will it be for the better? I doubt it.

There are always well informed people on this site and I just wonder if anyone has any comment about these proposals.

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NotSpaghetti Sat 28-Jun-25 07:01:23

I would like to see a simple "pros and cons" of this proposal - although it does look to me that many councils operate this way already.

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NotSpaghetti Sat 28-Jun-25 07:04:32

Just found this about it.

instituteoflicensing.org/network-news/plans-to-simplify-local-leadership-structures-announced/

Which covers the main points.

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NotSpaghetti Sat 28-Jun-25 07:14:18

This is all new to me but it's a simplified system I've read about in the business world where it does appear to be successful.

At the risk of boring people here's an interesting piece about how/why it's probably a good idea.
It certainly seems a quicker and more transparent process.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-simplified-management-structure-can-boost-your-kotlarczyk

I am not overly familiar with local councils though I have sat in on meetings now and again when I've gad a particular interest in something.
Probably someone who knows more will drop in soon.

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Jackiest Sat 28-Jun-25 07:43:19

The committee system allows the minority parties and independents some say in the running of the council. Allowing one party complete power allows them to get things done quickly but is not always the right things they get done and can easily turn into a local dictatorship.

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Granatlast007 Sun 29-Jun-25 15:05:15

NotSpaghetti

Just found this about it.

instituteoflicensing.org/network-news/plans-to-simplify-local-leadership-structures-announced/

Which covers the main points.

That's very helpful NotSpaghetti, the second link only works if you are a Linked In member.

I am worried by this issue, it sounds to me like further central government intervention in local issues and consequently a loss for local democracy.

It reminds me of some years ago when we were moving house and we actually turned down a property in Devon because we came across the legislation around Freeports which was going to affect the area near Devon where we planned to live.

Freeports sound wonderful economically but they dispense with local planning and control of development by local councils. We are already seeing, in the Cotswolds, local objections to solar farms and to the building of huge estates near villages being overridden. There there is no attention to local infrastructure and as a result, traffic on local roads increases as people have to drive for shops and schools and then air pollution, accidents increase and so on. There is also a question of affordability and social housing which developers seem more and more able to slide past. I don't know what this country is going to look like in a few years.

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winterwhite Sun 29-Jun-25 16:35:16

As Jackiest says. Also, the committee system means that all councillors have to understand the working of the council which is obviously desirable.

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