Bizarre consultation on the cheap! Perhaps we should do it properly?

LOCAL COUNCILS are required to undertake a consultation on two different forms of executive arrangements for running council affairs by 31st December 2010. However, due to impending spending cuts and the fact that any consultation might have to be repeated in the latter part of 2011, councils have been advised to pursue the consultation at minimal cost.

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 requires that each council changes its governance arrangements by May 2011. The two options available are:

1. Leader and Cabinet model (the current arrangements in the East Riding)
2. Elected Mayor and Cabinet model

The 2007 Act required a council to undertake consultation on a different form of executive arrangement and have resolved which of the new models to adopt by 31 December 2010 in order to implement any changes after the next local elections.

The new coalition Government plans to repeal the existing 2007 Act with new legislation of its own in November 2011, so Housing and Local Government Minister, Grant Shapps, is recommending that the consultation is done at minimal cost i.e. "no more than a small newspaper advert/article or press release on your website may be proportionate and right in these circumstances".

Whilst understanding the Government's desire to cut out wasteful expenditure, and its need to obey the law as it stands, it still seems rather bizarre that a 'consultation' is taking place at all on this matter if the wish is to make it a non-event! Those who see the statutory news or website article and offer a response are in all probability going to see their views ignored on this immediate issue!

Perhaps it makes sense to widen the current consultation, rather than give it the light touch treatment, and include additional subject matters that will help shape the Government's new laws? The Government has indicated its priority to cut out wasteful expenditure and to allow councils to return to the Committee system that used to exist in local government. It has expressed its support for more open and accountable local government.

Surely a more meaningful discussion could take place now that can help shape future policy, rather than engage in a statutory pointless exercise?

...And for those who were wondering the East Riding Cabinet's preferred option for the consultation is for the Council to operate a Leader and an Executive Model.

Sources: Letter to Council Leaders and East Riding Council Cabinet Minutes 7th September 2010.