Jeffrey Shaw 83 #1 Posted January 27, 2020 Another Referendum? On Thursday 7 May 2020, the date of the routine Local Authority (SCC) election, there will be a separate vote. It’s on a Referendum re SCC’s “governance”. This simply means the legal structure within SCC and how they decide matters. Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000 brought about the present situation- see http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/22/part/1A The Referendum will be under section 9MC, after a successful petition supported by over the statutory 5% of all registered electors. SCC’s current system involves something called a ‘Strong Leader’. This allows SCC’s Leadership to take decisions without the usual committee approval system. Committees are left with very little power and this is even more so for individual elected Councillors. The Referendum is, I understand, asking voters to opt for a change to a modern committee system. It would return at least some decision-making powers to Committees and individual elected Councillors. It would also allow proper and meaningful input from community groups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Ms Macbeth 70 #2 Posted January 28, 2020 (edited) The Modern Committee System that has been proposed could involve people with expertise in areas such as homelessness, as well as community groups (as mentioned above) along with councillors. Of course, the final outcome would still be down to the majority party. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-49798209 Edited January 28, 2020 by Ms Macbeth Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
WokeyMcWokeface 0 #3 Posted January 28, 2020 If the council dislike the result, will they be campaigning for another one? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Longcol 577 #4 Posted January 28, 2020 On 27/01/2020 at 18:18, Jeffrey Shaw said: Another Referendum? On Thursday 7 May 2020, the date of the routine Local Authority (SCC) election, there will be a separate vote. It’s on a Referendum re SCC’s “governance”. This simply means the legal structure within SCC and how they decide matters. Part 1A of the Local Government Act 2000 brought about the present situation- see http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/22/part/1A The Referendum will be under section 9MC, after a successful petition supported by over the statutory 5% of all registered electors. SCC’s current system involves something called a ‘Strong Leader’. This allows SCC’s Leadership to take decisions without the usual committee approval system. Committees are left with very little power and this is even more so for individual elected Councillors. The Referendum is, I understand, asking voters to opt for a change to a modern committee system. It would return at least some decision-making powers to Committees and individual elected Councillors. It would also allow proper and meaningful input from community groups. Is committee approval the "usual system" in these days of elected mayors and "strong leaders"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
bassett one 440 #5 Posted January 29, 2020 it sounds good,but can normal groups be on this committee? or is it they can have a say if its there area? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Jeffrey Shaw 83 #6 Posted January 29, 2020 (edited) My understanding is that the change proposed would not mean simply a return to the 'traditional' system of Committees. But it would at least re-introduce powers for elected Councillors as Committee members to have a say, rather than the majority party deciding everything in conclave or at its Strong Leader's sole behest. If the change is supported by > 50% of votes cast- there's no qualifying figure needed nor any particular turnout demanded- it would require SCC to put forward a new structure for approval by HMG. The 'modern' Committees would, I am told, have powers of co-option, e.g. for community groups or informed experts to participate in the decisions which they make. This would still have to take into account Officers' recommendations. All in all, it might give voters some confidence that their votes have some meaning. Many currently feel that this is not so. Edited January 29, 2020 by Jeffrey Shaw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
taxman 12 #7 Posted January 29, 2020 Well Julie Dore did more than anyone to bring this refendum about. Her dictatorial and inept handling of the trees fiasco highlighted the shortcomings of the "Strong Leader" model. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
tinfoilhat 11 #8 Posted January 29, 2020 6 hours ago, Jeffrey Shaw said: My understanding is that the change proposed would not mean simply a return to the 'traditional' system of Committees. But it would at least re-introduce powers for elected Councillors as Committee members to have a say, rather than the majority party deciding everything in conclave or at its Strong Leader's sole behest. If the change is supported by > 50% of votes cast- there's no qualifying figure needed nor any particular turnout demanded- it would require SCC to put forward a new structure for approval by HMG. The 'modern' Committees would, I am told, have powers of co-option, e.g. for community groups or informed experts to participate in the decisions which they make. This would still have to take into account Officers' recommendations. All in all, it might give voters some confidence that their votes have some meaning. Many currently feel that this is not so. Most of them won't have a clue on what they're voting for. See a)brexit, b)Mrs Brown's boys Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
max 13 #9 Posted January 30, 2020 (edited) There has been a consultation on what people would prefer to see in place of the current system. Details can be found here: Call for evidence Unfortunately, this has now closed with, as I understand it, fewer that 1% of Sheffield's citizens having responded. You can still have your say in The Big Conversation Edited January 30, 2020 by max Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
NewBiz 10 #10 Posted January 31, 2020 I for one will definitely be voting to change from the 'strong leader' model, in favour of something more democratic and less dictatorial Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
1978 14 #11 Posted January 31, 2020 22 hours ago, max said: There has been a consultation on what people would prefer to see in place of the current system. Details can be found here: Call for evidence Unfortunately, this has now closed with, as I understand it, fewer that 1% of Sheffield's citizens having responded. You can still have your say in The Big Conversation Sadly, even fewer will understand what this is all about than did about Brexit. Voting against a "strong leader" is rather simplistic. Equally a "more democratic model" is vague. This referendum seems to be more a vote of confidence in Julie Dore (who's taken it that way) and her crew as a city wide clamour to change a system few understand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Pettytom 1 #12 Posted January 31, 2020 6 hours ago, NewBiz said: I for one will definitely be voting to change from the 'strong leader' model, in favour of something more democratic and less dictatorial A dictator walks into a pub. And orders everybody a round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...