Governance reform – Committee system set to be phased out under new legislation
Devolution is not just about structural change.
On 24 June the Minister updated Parliament on the Government's intentions to introduce legislation which will simplify governance arrangements for local authorities in England. We assume this will be in the now anxiously awaited Devolution Bill.
At present councils can operate one of three governance models:
- cabinet arrangements with a directly elected council mayor
- leader and cabinet
- committee system
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 most councils in England already currently operate).
The Government recognises there 13 legacy directly elected council mayors. They intend to legislate to stop the creation of new ones.
This would also include any councils undergoing local government reorganisation now or the future, where any new unitary would be required to operate on the leader and cabinet model of governance, regardless of whether any constituent part currently has a legacy directly elected council mayor.
Preparing for local reform?
From governance models to funding and community voice, the pace of change is accelerating. Get in touch with Mark Heath in our Government & Public Services to discuss how we can support your organisation in navigating Local Government Reorganisation and the wider devolution agenda.
