LOCAL COUNCIL MODEL

Question 1

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000

Answer 1

Local authorities with pop. over 85,000 have an executive

Divides councils into executive, non executive and scrutiny

Question 2

COUNCIL LEADER AND CABINET MODEL

Answer 2

Westminster style - Cabinet members with portfolio of responsibilities

Leader head of their party + appoints cabinet members from own party

Leader appointed for 4 years

Full council only approves key decisions

Question 3

DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED MAYOR AND CABINET MODEL

Answer 3

Councils have mayor, make decisions without cabinet approval

Mayor elected in seperate ballot, alongside council elections

2/3 Councillors must approve introduction of DEM

Question 4

COMMITTEES - POST LGA 2000

Answer 4

Members from all parties on council

Look after individual service areas, like central gov

Can propose amendments, publish reports

CAN’T REJECT decisions made by EXECUTIVE

Question 5

PROS NEW MODELS

Answer 5

Faster decision making
Elected mayor gives public more say on council leadership
Electorates can demand referendum to introduce DEM

Question 6

CONS NEW MODELS

Answer 6

‘Frontbenchers’ have more power than ‘backbenchers’
Less democratically accountable, power in hands of few
Differing models lead to confusion + patchwork representation