Arun District Council is set to replace its committee system with a leader-and-cabinet model next year, changing how decisions are made and scrutinised.

The council is required to make the change under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which means authorities that currently operate under a committee system must move to a leader-and cabinet model by June 2027.

The change comes as the timetable for local government reorganisation in West Sussex has been pushed back.

Originally, elections to the new shadow authorities were expected to take place in May 2027, with the new councils taking over in April 2028.

placeholder image — Arun Civic Centre Credit: Lily Wells

However, following a government review, elections to the existing district and borough councils will now go ahead in May 2027, with the elections to the new shadow authorities delayed until May 2028. The new councils are expected to take over in April 2029.

Arun’s report says the council considered asking the Government for an extra year to transition into the leader-and-cabinet model.

However, officers recommended against this as the new unitary authorities may not be legally established before the June 2027 deadline. Arun could therefore still be required to change its governance arrangements, even if it is later replaced as part of the reorganisation.

A report due to go before the full council on November 11, recommends introducing the new leader-and-cabinet arrangements at the council’s annual meeting in May next year, following the local elections.

Under the proposed system, most council decisions would be made by an executive and directed by the council leader, who would appoint a cabinet of up to nine other councillors.

The leader could then allocate different responsibilities to cabinet members.

Unlike the current committee system where decisions are considered by a group of councillors, the new model would give the council leader and their appointed cabinet responsibility for most major decisions.

Some decisions such as planning, licensing, standards and audit would remain outside of their remit and continue to be handled by committees.

The council would also establish one or more overview and scrutiny committees to challenge decisions made by the executive and discuss public concerns.

In addition, the council will have to publish a forward plan which gives 28 days notice of key decisions.

The change will require a new council constitution, updated committee arrangements and training for councillors and officers.