“New” Executive arrangements

Graham Russell, Senior Associate SWC and former Head of

Democratic Services, Bath & North East Somerset Council

John Quinton, Head of Democratic Services, Wiltshire Council

Workshop aims

to facilitate understanding

to promote discussion

to share experiences

to shape best practice

New Executive arrangements….

a contributor to reinforcing democracy(?)

sits alongside a re-invention (?) of scrutiny…

…and more local member decision making

Legislative basis – LGPIH 2009 adds clauses to LGA 2000

“different form of executive” + 33A

“variation to (but same form of) executive arrangements” + 33B

“alternative arrangements move to executive arrangements” + 33C

“variation to alternative arrangements” + 33D

Legislative basis – LGPIH 2009 adds clauses to LGA 2000

the mechanism + 33E

the resolutions + 33F

implementation + 33G – N

Leader and Cabinet executive (England) (i.e. strong leader) is different model to Leader and Cabinet (i.e. LGA 2000)

Mandatory Strong Leader

determines size of Cabinet (max still 10)

appoints his/her chosen members to Cabinet and can remove them at any time (reshuffles)

appoints a deputy leader

allocates executive functions (portfolios and delegations)

serves a 4 x year term of office (or the balance of term of office as councillor)

Can be removed by Council by resolution

Issues for DSOs - preparation

identifying proposals after reasonable consultation, including timetable for change

satisfying criteria for proposals - continuous improvement, economy, effectiveness and efficiency in exercise of council’s functions

transitional arrangements

discretionary referendum – (+ normal 5% rule remains)

CASE STUDY- THE WILTSHIRE MODEL

JOHN QUINTON

HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

STRONG LEADER Appointed for 4 year term

Appoints cabinet members and deputy leader

Assigns portfolios

Delegates powers

CULTURE Very inclusive

Non-adversarial

Rotation and accessibility

Succession planning

ISSUES Forward plan process

Working with O&S

Consistency

GROUP WORK 1. How do you get effective management of

executive business?

2. What are the key features of an effective working relationship between the Executive and O&S?

3. What protocols are needed for effective Executive’s in minority administrations or multi party cabinets?

END OF PRESENTATION