Voters in North Tyneside will be asked this May if they want the council to continue to be run by an elected mayor or move to a committee system.
The local authority adopted the elected mayor model of governance from May 2002, after a public referendum the previous November.
The current elected mayor, Norma Redfearn, had previously promised to give the electorate the opportunity to decide on the form of local governance they want.
North Tyneside’s full council last week (21 January) backed the proposal to hold a referendum on 5 May. This is the same day as local council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
Voters will be given two choices: to stay with the current elected mayor and cabinet model or to change to a committee system (with a leader).
Should voters back a change, then this will take effect at the end of Redfearn’s term of office in May 2017. If the outcome is to support the current system the next mayoral election will take place on 4 May 2017.
North Tyneside has recently held a consultation and also conducted a web-based discussion with a residents’ panel, staff and business partners.
Redfearn said: “Before I was elected in May 2013, residents asked me to hold a referendum and I promised I would take it forward. This referendum will give the voters of North Tyneside the opportunity to choose how they want their council to be governed from May next year.”
East Devon Watch 