37. Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the planned Cabinet-style operation of local government. [124026]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe proposals in the Local Government Bill [HL] will introduce three broad frameworks for new constitutions for councils (including a mayor and cabinet and leader and cabinet framework) which will increase the efficiency, transparency and accountability of council decision making. Councils will have to consult their local community about how, within these broad frameworks, they wish to be governed in the future. Where local people express a preference for an elected mayor to lead their community, the council will first have to put this option to them in a referendum.