Cheshire East Council's move to a committee system form of governance will "enable more councillors to be involved in decision-making" it has been claimed.

The new system, which replaces the current leader and cabinet model, was welcomed by council leader, Cllr Sam Corcoran and will take effect next May from when it be legally binding for five years.

A special meeting of councillors voted for a formal resolution, which contained recommendations around the design principles and structure of the committees, the roles of both the leader and deputy leader and processes for decision reviews, including urgent decision-making.

The original notice of motion to move to a committee system form of governance was approved at a meeting of full council in May 2019.

Cllr Corcoran said: "A change of decision-making arrangements by any local authority is a profound step. This is an important and significant change for Cheshire East."

Cllr Craig Browne, deputy leader of the council, said: "I would like to thank the constitution committee, and its working group, for the continued hard work done since May 2019."

Cllr James Nicholas, chair of the constitution committee, said: "A committee system form of governance enables more elected members to be involved in decision-making, helping to ensure the process is fairer, with collective accountability across politically balanced committees."

The period between now and May 2021 will provide time for the outstanding detail of the committee system to be agreed.

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