London borough launches consultation after decision to move to committees

The London Borough of Barnet has launched a consultation as it gears up towards the introduction of the committee system in June 2014.

The local authority currently sees the majority of its decisions taken by a single-party Cabinet, either during a Cabinet meeting or by individual Cabinet members.

These decisions and policies are held to account by cross-party overview and scrutiny committees. This system was introduced following the Local Government Act 2000.

The Localism Act 2011 allowed local authorities to return to the committee system if they saw fit.

Barnet’s full council backed the move at a meeting in January this year.

Decisions under the new regime will be taken by committees with responsibility for particular themes and made up of members from all political parties in proportion to their representation on the council.

Cllr Richard Cornelius, Barnet’s Leader, said: “We are in the early stages of designing the new system and it’s tremendously important that it works well for residents, voluntary groups and businesses.

“The system is fundamental to the way the council operates so I would encourage as many people as possible to get in touch with their views.”

The consultation runs until 22 September 2013. More information can be found here.