Mayor or 'Strong Leader'?

Residents are being asked for their views on how Wyre Forest District Council is governed. 

An online survey 'Mayor or Strong Leader? is available on this website.  It is asking for views on changes to the authority's decision-making arrangements.  The consultation is also seeking opinions on the frequency of local elections.

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 requires the Council to adopt a new governance model before the end of year.  There are two models which may be introduced.  One option is to have a directly-elected mayor and Cabinet Executive – this would be subject to a referendum.  The other option is the so called 'Strong Leader' model, where the Leader is elected by council but the Leader appoints members of the cabinet and allocates responsibility for executive functions. 

The Council also wants to know the public's view on the frequency of elections.  At the moment there are District Council elections three years out of every four, and on each of these occasions a third of the Councillors are up for election.  Residents are being asked whether this should continue or whether the District Council elections should take place once every four years, with all Councillors up for election. 

Councillor John Campion, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council said,

"In the current economic climate we need to make savings and one of the issues we are considering is the substantial savings we could achieve by having District Council elections once every four years.  We haven't made any decisions on the options yet and it's important that residents get a say before all members of the District Council have to take decisions later this year. The online survey is a quick and easy way for residents to let us know their views on these important issues.  Paper questionnaires are also available as we want to encourage residents to take part."

Anyone who does not have access to a computer can fill in the questionnaire online at one of the Worcestershire Hub Customer Service Centres at Kidderminster Town Hall, or Civic Centre, Stourport-on-Severn.  Printed copies of the questionnaire are also available from Worcestershire Hubs.

The closing date for responses is 5 pm on 8th October 2010.

More information about the proposed political structures and the potential strengths and weaknesses of the models is also available.

A final decision on the options will be made at a special meeting of the full Council before the end of 2010.

Date of issue - 15th July 2010