IT’S been a momentous week in local government, and that’s leaving aside the spectacular collapse of Labour support as evidenced in the results of Thursday’s local elections throughout the country.

Events in Eden this week have been interesting enough without the added mix of what’s happening nationally. Firstly, the people of Penrith again said “no” to the formation of a town council and then Eden councillors voted for the introduction of a new political management regime which will result in the authority being governed by a leader and cabinet scheme from 1st June.

It is fair to assume that many of those people who voted against a town council for Penrith were concerned about the extra cost on their council tax it would have created — and those concerns are perfectly understandable given the current financial climate — but on the other hand district councillors have introduced a system which will cost taxpayers £26,700 more in its first year and which will then have to be financed by cuts elsewhere in the budget.

To their credit, the district councillors and their new single leader, Colin Nineham, have decided on reduced allowances to help meet the cost of the new system, but the fact remains that the cost of cabinet comes in at £28,856, some £14,084 more than the previous system of four joint leaders and committees.

The council argues that the new way of working will speed up decision-making and make the process more accountable, with six cabinet members each being given key responsibilities. Increased responsibility should be rewarded with extra remuneration, but it also means that, if things go wrong, the portfolio holders will be firmly in the firing line.

The system has its critics, with the Liberal Democrats in particular (who, it must be pointed out, do not have a seat in Mr. Nineham’s cabinet) fearing that too much power is being placed in the hands of too few.

It will take time for the full effects of the new system to emerge, but there is one criterion it must meet: because it is costing more, it should produce enhanced results. Council tax payers will be watching with great interest.