William Eichler 11 May 2016

District to change structure following referendum

A district council in Dorset will change its committee structures following a referendum last week into its governance arrangements.

West Dorset District Council held a referendum, triggered by a petition of over 6,000 signatories, asking voters: ‘How would you like West Dorset District Council to be run?’

16,534 people voted for the option: ‘By one or more committees made-up of elected councillors. This would be a change from how the council is run now’, and 8,811 for: ‘By a leader who is an elected councillor chosen by a vote of other elected councillors. This is how the council is run now.’

32% of the 80,000 electorate turned out to vote.

The changes, which will be implemented in May 2017, will include a politically proportionate strategy committee to replace the executive committee; this means seats on this committee will be allocated in accordance with party size.

Council leader Anthony Alford said: ‘All councillors across our council will continue to work hard for the people of West Dorset whatever committee system is in place. We look forward to continuing to serve our communities.

‘The costs were regrettable, but we received a petition signed by over 6,000 people and under the law that triggered a referendum which required us to give the rest of the 80,000 electorate the democratic right to decide if they wanted the council to have different committee structures.

‘We did all we could to limit costs and saved about £50,000 by holding the vote at the same time as the Police and Crime Commissioner elections.’

Making payment processes smarter  image

Making payment processes smarter

It can be challenging to find the right software to streamline payment processes. Lewis McKenna-Crisp argues SmarterPay has the ideal solution for councils.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27934.00 - £35344.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,934 up to £35,344 Per Annum (includes allowance) equal to £14.48 to £18.32 Per HourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Early Years Keyworker

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
Want to make a difference for children with special educational needs in Greenwich? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Early Years Area SENCo

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,855 - £42,324
Have you got extensive experience in working within Early Years, with a clear understanding of child development Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Pathfinder

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Are you looking to change the lives of young people? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Regulatory Compliance Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
You will be an apprentice embedded within the Trading Standards team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner