Secretary of state Ruth Kelly has welcomed news that Durham CC wants to go for a directly-elected cabinet as ‘fantastic'. Durham CC is one of the first local authorities in the country to say its wants to go for the new system. Speaking at an Innovation Forum seminar in Bolton before Christmas, Ms Kelly said the option for a directly-elected cabinet was becoming a ‘favourite option' for many local authorities. Durham CC chief executive, Mark Lloyd, said the elected cabinet was ‘the most attractive option' for a single authority. Carlisle City Council and South Lakeland DC have both abandoned plans for unitary status, while Preston City Council has confirmed it will be making a bid to break free from Lancashire CC. Worcestershire, West Sussex, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Hampshire, East Sussex, Dorset and Derbyshire CC have all rejected unitary status, while Buckinghamshire, Cheshire and Nottinghamshire CCs will be discussing their options on 18 January. A report on going for enhanced two-tier status will go before a meeting at Suffolk CC on 16 January. Wiltshire CC will also meet on 16 January to consider going for unitary status. Devon CC said it was working on an enhanced two-tier bid with all the district and borough authorities, including Exeter City Council, which is also bidding for unitary status. Northumberland CC launched its bid for unitary status last week, claiming a single tier could save around £17m a year. Cumbria CC has published more details about its business case for unitary status which, it claims will be £15m a year cheaper than the current system. Leader of Sedgemoor DC, Duncan McGinty, has claimed that council tax bills would soar if Somerset CC became a unitary because of the estimated £35m cost of setting up the new authority. * Innovation Forum seminar, see page 10
