The Head of Policy,
Communications and Governance introduced the report and explained
that over five years had passed since changing the governance
system to the current committee model, and so another change could
be made. If a change was decided upon, it would need to be
implemented at the Council’s annual meeting; May 2021 or May
2022.
Debate took place around the
benefits of both Committee and Cabinet systems of
governance.
The arguments in
favour of Committee systems included that it was more democratic,
as all elected Members were afforded the opportunity to speak at
meetings to represent the views of themselves, their ward and their
political party. Meetings also gave members of the public a forum
at which to speak. It was suggested that Members have more
involvement in decision-making, with reference made to cross-party
working within Committees, as opposed to becoming
‘back-benchers’ in a Cabinet system. It was argued that
Cabinet systems rely on a good working relationship between the
Cabinet Member and the Chair of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny
Committee, with a poor relationship potentially leading to the
views of the latter not being appropriately
considered.
It was argued that in Cabinet
arrangements, decision-making would be more efficient and effective
as well as providing greater accountability for the decisions made.
Examples were given of good decision-making within the Cabinet
system, with reference to Committees which had not worked so
well.
RESOLVED: That Option Three as set out in the report, whereby the status
quo is retained and the Council continues with the Committee
system, be agreed.