§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will (a) list the dates which have so far been agreed by local authority referendums on adopting a system of executive mayor, or mayor and cabinet; and (b) set out the votes cast and results of those referendums which have so far taken place. [HL171]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)(a) To date the councils set out below have sent proposals to the Secretary of State for a mayor and cabinet form of executive arrangement. Watford is holding its referendum today and the rest will be holding referendums on whether they should adopt a directly elected mayor and cabinet form of executive on the dates shown below:
- Doncaster on 20 September;
- Kirklees on 4 October;
- Sunderland on 11 October;
- Middlesbrough on 18 October;
- Brighton & Hove also on 18 October;
- Durham (City) in the first week of November 2001;
- Redditch between 1 September and 31 December 2001; and
- Plymouth either in January or February 2002.
(b) The following councils have held referendums on whether they should adopt a mayor and cabinet form of executive:
- Berwick upon Tweed referendum held on 7 June. No votes were 10,212 and yes votes were 3,617;
- Cheltenham referendum held on 27 June. No votes 16,602 and yes votes 8,083; and
- Gloucester referendum held on 27 June. No votes 16,317 and yes votes 7,731.