Issue - meetings

To consider proposals to consult on two options for future executive arrangements for Cheshire East Council.

The Committee considered proposals to consult on two options for future executive arrangements for Cheshire East Council.

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 required local authorities to choose one of two new models of executive leadership: either a directly-elected Mayor with a Cabinet, or a strong Leader and Cabinet. The period of office of either a Mayor or a Leader was to be for four years. The change in executive arrangements had to come into effect from May 2011, and the Council had to pass a resolution giving effect to the change by 31^st December 2010.

Guidance had recently been issued in the form of a letter from the Minister for Housing and Local Government. This indicated that whilst the statutory requirement to follow the consultation process had to be adhered to, Councils were encouraged not to incur any significant expenditure in doing so. Indeed, the requirements were likely to be repealed, but not before the Council was required to make an appropriate resolution.

RESOLVED

That

(1)   a public consultation exercise be undertaken between 1^st October and 12^th November 2010, by way of an article and press release via the Council’s website, on the options for future executive arrangements for Cheshire East Council, the consultation to make reference to the advice received from the Minister for Housing and Local Government; and

(2)   the result of the consultation exercise be reported to the Constitution Committee on 18^th November 2010 with a view to making a recommendation to Council on 16^th December 2010.