Council governance arrangements
At a meeting of full council in June 2023 councillors agreed to step away from its existing executive model of governance – the council leader and cabinet members who overlook different service areas of the council.
It was agreed to set up a Constitution Working Group to establish a committee system for making decisions and several meetings were held and legal advice obtained.
However, in January 2025 a motion calling for the council to retain its existing cabinet structure was supported by elected members.
Following this a letter was sent to the Secretary of State, Angela Rayner MP, formally requesting the council be permitted to reverse the move to a committee system of governance.
A reply received in April 2025 from Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, consented to the council deciding to retain its leader and cabinet model.
The minister noted that in the context of impending local government reorganisation, the current governance model will provide continuity in decision-making arrangements throughout the period leading to transition to a unitary authority.
A vote was taken at the full council meeting on 7 May 2025 and resolved that the council should retain the existing leader and cabinet model of governance. This is on the grounds that retaining the existing executive arrangements is likely improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of some or all of the people who live or work in the area of the local authority.