THE way the district council makes its decisions is to change after a century to meet the wishes of residents.

As predicted in the Advertiser/Messenger last week, councillors on Bromsgrove District Council officially adopted the leader with cabinet-style system.

The decision was made following widespread support from electors at a special meeting of the full council on September 5.

The change has been brought about by the passing of the Local Government Act 2000 which requires all local authorities to modernise and streamline their systems.

Bromsgrove, like all councils, has previously made decisions through the tried and tested committee and sub-committee system.

Council leader Cllr Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) said: "Residents overwhelmingly supported the leader with cabinet-style system which has proved very successful during its last six months' experimental period.

"With such support, it was indeed the obvious choice."

The council sent out more than 36,000 questionnaires to households in the district as part of an extensive consultation exercise.

The response rate was 12 per cent, with nearly 63 per cent voting in favour of the adopted system.

District secretary Bob Lewis has been instructed to submit the proposal to the Government for its approval.

It could be implemented early next year.

Labour group leader Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley) called for councillors to be given more background information about matters coming before them in future.

Cllr Psirides said he would ask officers to look into it.