New Powys cabinet system approved

An application to introduce a cabinet system of government at Powys County Council has been approved by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Carl Sargeant this week approved the application, which will see the council introduce a cabinet system of government from May 2011.

The Welsh Assembly are proposing to introduce new rules that will reduce the number of executive options of government open to councils, including the removal of the 'alternative arrangement' system which the council currently operates (known as the Board), from April 2012.

The county council decided in October that, irrespective of any changes proposed by the Assembly, it needs to change its system of government in 2011, allowing the new system to bed in ahead of the county council elections in 2012.

Following public consultation, Powys councillors chose the 'leader and cabinet executive' model which is used by the majority of Welsh councils.  This will now be implemented from the annual general meeting of the council in May 2011.

The Leader, together with a Cabinet of between two and nine other councillors, will take all operational decisions within the budget and policies of the council. Unlike the current Board, the Cabinet does not need to be politically balanced.