» Who will become the next city leader?
Rachel Pegg reports on the big decision looming before the city council
In a matter of weeks the most powerful local councillor in the history of Brighton and Hove will be elected. But he or she will not be chosen by the people.
Rather, a candidate will be put forward by the ruling Conservative group, who will then have to persuade just one other city councillor – probably independent Jayne Bennett – to support their choice in order for him or her to be elected city leader. That person will preside over a new democratic system that will allow the leader to hand-pick a cabinet to take charge of major functions such as social care, housing, finance and major projects. This is likely to end the days when minority parties can have a significant influence on big decisions or can thwart the wishes of the administration. Instead, a central body of potentially single party councillors will shape the future of Brighton and Hove until the next local elections in 2011.
The new system has been forced on Brighton and Hove by the government, which wants more individually accountable local politicians, quicker decision making and easier lines of communication between the regions and the civil service.
“A central body of potentially single party councillors will shape Brighton and Hove until 2011”
No city councillor wanted it, whatever their political allegiance. The Tories vociferously campaigned against a directly elected mayor in 2001 when they were in opposition. But now, as rulers, it is the Conservatives who are most likely to benefit from a system that gives them more freedom to push through policies with, if they like, less public scrutiny.
Brian Oxley
Mary Mears and Geoffrey Theobald
The vacancy at the top arises following the resignation of city leader Brian Oxley, shortly before Easter. Coun Oxley, whom many had expected to bring about great results, failed to deliver some of his election promises during his truncated tenure.
According to his outgoing statement, his greatest achievements since the elections last May have included establishing committees to oversee finance and major projects. But both will be abolished next month when the new system comes into force. Other achievements have included securing funding to carry out the restoration of the seafront bandstand, making £9million of savings, setting the lowest council tax rise since the authority was formed ten years ago, at 3.9 per cent and opening the Jubilee Library on Sundays.
But for many Coun Oxley will remain a leader who was full of promise and greatly respected, but was not seen to fulfil his potential. He was also the first out gay leader of the local Conservative group and was thought to be a fresh start after the politically incorrect gaffes made by retired Councillor Peter Willows.
Fighting to succeed Coun Oxley are Mary Mears and Geoffrey Theobald, both very long established Brighton politicians who are renowned for their commitment to the local community and political gravitas.
Coun Theobald, husband of city mayor Carol, is himself a former mayor who was awarded an OBE in 1986 for public and political service. As chairman of the environment committee he has helped introduce scores on the floors and doors schemes to improve the appearance of the city centre and boost hygiene and cleanliness at restaurants.
However he has also, with dignity, taken the flak for protests over the council’s proposals to ban dogs from the beach. Campaigners at a recent council meeting accused him of trying to mask the issue after an advert for the proposals appeared in the council newspaper City News under the heading “Help us become a more dog-friendly city“.
Coun Theobald, an extremely experienced local government official and politician, was leader of the Conservative group until 2001, when he stepped down to fight the election in Brighton Kemp Town and Coun Oxley took the reins.
Coun Theobald, who represents Patcham, urged fellow group members to vote for him, saying:“I do have a lot of contacts and good connections with both outside bodies as well as inside the council itself, with business and voluntary organisations and all aspects of the community and I wish to take the council forward so we move it up a gear to a four-star excellent authority.
“My priorities are very much to continue with the process of trying to improve our city so it is one our residents, visitors and tourists regard with pride. The visual street scene is very important to me. I do think over the last few months there has been a very considerable improvement.“
Coun Mears, also a born-and-bred Brightonian, comes from a long family line of fruit and vegetable sellers at Brighton’s Open Market and is among traders involved in the market’s £11million redesign. As chairwoman of the housing committee, she has been responsible for attempting to bring a crisis-hit department into shape following the failure of the previous administration’s bid to persuade tenants to support a transfer of housing stock to an arms-length organisation.
Currently deputy of the Conservative group, Coun Mears is considered by many to be a heavyweight contender. She was unavailable for comment.
Nominations were due to be made by yesterday. (Mon 31 March) Only two candidates were expected to stand. Coun Oxley’s replacement will be chosen at the Conservative AGM next Monday, 7 April. The city leader will be elected at the full council AGM on Thursday 15 May.
