Yesterday's post on Brent Council decision making causes me some more reflection on the changes. I understand that Area and User Forums are being preserved for the moment. Previously the nominations for chairing these were decided by election within the Labour Group. Sometimes these posts were hotly contested. Without any formal rule change, I understand they have now simply been announced as a Leader's decision to the lucky recipients.
A second feature introduced is the provision of Deputy Lead Members. I don't know if whoever decided to introduce these is aware that Brent had such a system before when it formed a new constitution in a public and democratic way back in circa 2000. The posts were abolished within a couple of years as they were felt to be pointless. I am not clear how the new posts are substantially different. As with the Forum Chairs, the old Deputy posts were elected by the Labour Group; apparently the new ones are simply appointed.
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