Committee debate for the council

PLANS to change the way decisions are made at the county council are to be considered.

Councillors at tonight's full council meeting will decide whether further plans should be progressed on how a committee system could work at the authority.

Under the present system at the county council, decisions are taken by council, the cabinet or its individual members, and in some cases officers.

The committee system would involve all decisions being made by committees rather than individuals with the exception of day-to-day operational matters.

Committees would be made up of councillors from all parties to reflect the political balance of the authority.

Leader, councillor Kay Cutts, said: "The committee system is the most democratic and transparent form of governance.

"It ensures all 67 councillors elected by the public play a role in decision-making and shaping the policy of the council.

"It ensures greater transparency as no decisions are made behind closed doors – all decision-making meetings are held in public."

But Labour opposition leader, councillor Alan Rhodes, said it was the wrong thing to be concentrating on.

"It's an unnecessary distraction," he said. "There are a lot of challenges the council should be focusing on – particularly with the economic situation. Hundreds of jobs have been lost and services cut.

"It sounds like councillor Cutts is preparing for opposition."