Local Government Reform - Consultation on Policy Proposals

3.4. Research has been carried out on local government decisionmaking
in other regions. This has been used to inform the
proposals set out in this consultation document. The research
includes the executive arrangements introduced in England and
Wales by the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Government</strong> Act 2000, and the streamlined
committee structure adopted by the majority of councils in Scotland.
The local government sector and the main political parties have also
had a significant involvement in the formulation of the proposals
through their engagement in the Policy Development Panel on
Governance and Relationships.
Decision-making Structures
3.5. At present, in most councils, an issue that requires a decision is
delegated to a committee of the council which considers all the
relevant material and ultimately makes a recommendation to the full
council. The committee has no responsibility or authority to make
the final decision (unless the council has specifically delegated a
decision-making power to it). It is for the council to consider the
recommendation from the committee when the minutes of that
committee come before the council for ratification. The ratification
of the minutes of the committee signifies the council’s endorsement
of the recommendation. There is, therefore, a delay between a
recommendation being made and a final decision being taken.
3.6. In considering proposals for the new arrangements, the Department
takes the view that it is important to build in choice and permit
flexibility in relation to the development of new decision-making
structures by councils, rather than introducing a single structure for
all councils. The Department proposes that a short list of decision-
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