Plans for a super-power leader of Kirklees

Jul 1 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A NEW “superpower leader” could soon rule Kirklees Council.

Proposals have been put forward for either an indirectly elected council leader or an elected mayor to lead the council.

Either way, it means one person will have all the executive powers of the council vested in their control for four years.

The ideas will soon go to public consultation before a decision is made in December.

Yesterday, at a meeting of the corporate governance and audit committee, councillors recommended their preferred option of an indirectly elected leader rather than the mayoral system similar to London.

The colourful Boris Johnson, the 45-year-old former Tory MP, has held that role since 2007, when he succeeded Ken Livingstone.

But several councillors have already spoken out against the proposals.

John Heneghan, policy manager at Kirklees Council, said: “It is a requirement for all local authorities to make changes to their leadership arrangements.

“Those changes need to be made by December this year.

“There are two leadership models open and there is no option of retaining the current model.

“There has to be a period of public consultation around this issue.

“The preferred position at this point in time is for a indirectly elected leader and cabinet.”

Clr Mehboob Khan, Kirklees Council leader, said: “My own thoughts are that we don’t want either.