3. How councils are run – and who runs them Cabinet Government Directly-elected mayors Committee system (only for councils with fewer than 85,000 residents) (Local Government Act 2000)

4. Why change? “Opague and unclear decision-taking weakens the link between the people and their democratically-elected representatives.” John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, 2000

5. Why change ii? Greater clarity over who does what – role of decision-makers better understood Meaning… Greater accountability Improved efficiency Antidote to voter apathy - more engagement/interest of public

6. Cabinet Government Council cabinets are: Made up of councillors and are the key political decision-making body Led by majority political party or ruling coalition, headed by leader of the council Made up of up to ten leading councillors Within cabinet, individual councillors responsible for services (“portfolio holder” or “executive member”) Need not reflect overall political balance of council Cabinet decisions can be collective or individual

7. Cabinet powers Sets council’s over-arching policy framework Takes all the significant/key decisions on policy/services Determines spending priorities and recommends budgets Publishes Forward Plan – document setting broad details of decisions coming up in next three months

8. Cabinets But: Full council (ie all councillors) must set budget and council tax levels Full council must agree decisions which represent departure from agreed policy framework

9. Cabinets Can delegate limited powers to area committees Must meet in public for key decisions Must publish records of decisions taken by individual cabinet members

10. Cabinet “pluses” More efficient Improved accountability Lines of responsibility clearer In other words - public know who is doing what – where the buck stops

11. Cabinet “minuses” Backbenchers sidelined - not part of decision-making process Decisions taken by small one-party “cabals” – less democratic? Potential for views of local community to be ignored Lack of accountability – decisions by individuals Checks and balances weak

13. Scrutiny – the checks & balances All councils (under LGA 2000) have all-party scrutiny committees: Powers: “Call in” cabinet decisions Summon councillors, officers and others to explain/answer questions about decisions/policy Request review of cabinet decisions (“refer back”) Carry out independent investigations & make reports on any aspect of council business and any issue affecting local authority – eg health, transport, drugs, policing Cannot overturn cabinet decisions – only make recommendations

16. Scrutiny committees - minuses Have influence but not power – cannot overturn decisions Refer back process comes after decisions made Can become “political” (eg may be chaired by majority party; meetings used to score points) Can slow down decision-making process – also a plus Lack political/back-up support; easily ignored by executive/cabinet

17. Scrutiny – the pluses Although limited, decision makers can be called to account in public Recommendations can influence and sometimes change council policy Ability to examine issues outside direct remit of council

18. Directly-elected mayors Councils led by single political leader after an election with wide-ranging powers to run the authority Before a mayoral election, voters must first show support for idea in public referendum Voters can call for referendum (must be 5% of electorate) Simple majority determines referendum In election, electors vote for 1 st and 2 nd preference candidate

19. Why? "Elected mayors provide cities with the strong, visible leadership that can help them prosper nationally and internationally This is an opportunity for each city to transform itself for the better.” Cities minister Greg Clark

20. More elected mayors? Govt. vote on plans for 11 cities to consider mayors held May 2011 Voters rejected plan in all apart from Bristol (election Nov 15)

21. Directly-elected mayors Appoint their own cabinet from other councillors Other councillors have backbench and scrutiny role Elected for four-year cycle Candidates need not be from political parties Also option under LGA 2000 for directly-elected mayor + council manager – not common

22. From football mascot “H’Angus The Monkey” to respectable mayor – Stuart Dummond, elected mayor of Hartlepool three times and once voted Best Mayor In The World

26. Mayors – the pluses Can build profile/re-invigorate area Candidates can come from outside mainstream politics – independent/mavericks with no party allegiance Can encourage greater public interest Speedy decision making Accountability – people know who’s in charge Strong community leadership (eg Ray Mallon)

27. Mayors – the minuses Scope for abuse of power/corruption/pursuing vested interests Greater potential for “maverick” candidates could to bring local government into disrepute Potential for more decisions to be taken behind closed doors rather than at open meetings Backbench councillors may feel alienated or sidelined (similar problem to cabinet) Too much power vested in one individual

34. The committee system Localism Act permits councils to adopt all-party committee system Decisions taken by committees rather than cabinet (eg education, social care, housing) Officers make recommendations that are voted on Parties may be “whipped”

35. The committee system ii Pluses: Councillors feel more involved More genuine debate Local knowledge of councillors Minuses:  Potentially longer process  Less efficient  The influence of the party whip

36. Cabinets – open or shut and our right to know Cabinet meetings must be open to press and public: For all key decisions For discussions on key decisions Optional for other “non key” decisions Where meetings are open: Press and public entitled to agendas and reports five working days before meeting Urgent items (those not on agenda) only allowed if relevant scrutiny committee chairman agrees

37. Cabinet meetings – open or shut? Closed (Local Govt. Act Access To Information) Decisions which are not “key” For “early collective discussions to narrow options under debate” For “political debate” without officers For cabinet members to clarify matters with officers Decisions involving exempt or confidential information

38. What is a key decision? A key decision (under Local Government Act 2000) is one likely: To result in authority spending or saving a “significant” sum of money Is “significant” in terms of its effects on communities living or working in two or more wards It is for each council to define what it is significant – usually through financial thresholds!

39. Rights of Press and public All committee meetings of councils are open to the Press and the public Except… Where the item is considered either exempt or confidential, in which case it is considered in private Local Government Access to Information Act 1985

40. Rights of Press and public Where councils hold meetings, they must: Give five working days notice Publish agendas and reports listing items for discussion + minutes of previous meeting(s) Including any items to be considered in private session (without background papers)

41. Rights of Press and public If meeting goes into private session: Reason for doing so must be explained at meeting, citing the law A vote must be taken A minute of the item should be published

42. In addition – cabinet decisions Individual cabinet members can take decisions on their own No need for “public” meeting BUT… Must publish a record of decision Provide any background reports or papers Detail any alternative options considered but rejected

43. What is confidential/exempt? Issues about care of individual vulnerable children where disclosure may pose risk Issues involving named employees, such as disciplinary action Issues about commercial contracts where council’s position may be compromised Issues about pay negotiations with staff

44. Citizen Journalism… Government encouraging councils to be be more open (the transparency revolution) Eric Pickles (communities secretary) issued new rules to open up meetings to bloggers + citizen journalists as well as Press New rights to film meetings (Local Audit + Accountability Bill) and use social media