Tory U-Turn on Cabinet Plans

Brentwood's Liberal Democrats are calling it a "victory for the people" after the Conservative administration running Brentwood Borough Council decided to do a major U-turn on their plans for a Leader and Cabinet system of local government in Brentwood.

The shock announcement was made at tonight's Full Council meeting after the results of the recent Cabinet consultation showed that over two thirds of those responding wanted to keep the existing Committee/Panel system.

The full consultation breakdown for each option including petitions was as follows:

Option 1 - Leader & Cabinet 281

Option 2 - Directly Elected Mayor & Cabinet 60

Option 3 - Existing Committee/Panel system 718

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr David Kendall said:

"People power has forced the Conservatives into making a u-turn on their Leader and Cabinet proposals and we see this as a great victory for local democracy.

"We campaigned across the Borough for Option 3 which was to keep the existing Committee/Panel system and we are delighted that many residents have heeded our call and helped us force the Tories into changing their minds"

"Whilst Cllr Lewis is trying to put a brave face on this change of heart by his administration, he knew that to push ahead regardless would have led to a major backlash from many local residents and he obviously wasn't prepared to take that risk".