Barnet Council votes to return to the committee system

Barnet Council has voted to return to making decisions by committee rather than with the Cabinet system. Back in 2011, when the Tories were selecting a new leader, Richard Cornelius indicated that if he was elected leader, he would bring back the committee system. This commitment persuaded the Barnet Eye that he was the best choice. Sadly he waited until the decision to sign the One Barnet contracts with Capita had been made before bring his proposals in, but we have to congratulate him on this move. It means that all 63 councillors have a role to play in the governance of the council, not just the leader and the eleven people in the cabinet. The Labour/Lib Dem coalition brought the cabinet system in back in 2001 and it has been a disaster in Barnet. Last year I met Richard Cornelius and he advised me he was committed to the change. It is good to see that he's delivered on this promise. The Barnet Eye believes that this will make the governance of Barnet Council more democratic.