WORCESTERSHIRE’S councils could all have Boris Johnson-style elected mayors within two years.

Worcestershire County Council is asking residents to help choose between two new ways of running the authority, following a change in Government rules about how councils should operate.

One of the options in a new consultation paper is for Worcestershire to be run by an all-powerful London-style mayor, directly elected by the people of the county.

The alternative is a modified version of the existing ‘leader and cabinet’ system, whereby one of the elected councillors is chosen as leader by the rest of the council.

However, in the new version the leader would have more power. The six district councils – Worcester City, Malvern Hills, Wychavon, Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove and Redditch – will have to choose their new format in two years’ time.

Simon Mallinson, the county council’s head of legal and democratic services, said: “The new legislation means all councils operating the current ‘leader and cabinet’ model must change – and that includes Worcestershire County Council. We want to ensure we make the right decision about how our executive decisions are made in the future, which is why we are seeking the views of members of the public.”

The Government has introduced the new rules because it believes local councils need stronger leadership.

Whichever option is chosen, the person in charge – whether directly-elected mayor or council-appointed leader – will have increased powers.

The ruling politician would be granted a four-year term, and given responsibility for all the council’s policy decisions and the delivery of its services.

He or she would also be given wide-ranging powers over the size and make-up of the decision-making cabinet.

As both a directly-elected mayor and a ‘new-style’ council leader would have broadly the same powers, the key difference between the two is whether the person in charge is chosen by the public or by the councillors themselves.

A public consultation asking people which option they prefer has been launched by the council, and people have until Wednesday, December 3, to make their views known.

“We are keen for as many people as possible to come forward and take part in our consultation process,” Mr Mallinson said.

“This will contribute towards ultimately shaping how we make some of our key decisions,”

A final decision will be made by the full council just before Christmas.

The new arrangements will then be adopted following next May’s county elections.

Worcestershire was last given the opportunity for a directly-elected mayor in 2001 but opted for the current ‘leader and cabinet’ system instead.

In addition to the Mayor of London, there are now 11 districts in England that have directly elected mayors: Bedford, Doncaster, Hackney, Hartlepool, Lewisham, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Newham, North Tyneside, Torbay and Watford.

Stoke-on-Trent was also among that list until yesterday, when the results of a referendum revealed people had voted to lose the elected mayor and instead opt for a leader and cabinet system. The poll was called following the rule changes.

l To cast your vote, visit worcestershire.gov.uk/researchweb/lead/leadership or e-mail smallinson@worcestershire.gov.uk.

Alternatively write to Simon Mallinson, head of legal and democratic Services at Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP.